Photochemically Mediated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Using Polymeric Semiconductor Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride

Photochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization of vinyl monomers is successfully activated by ecofriendly heterogeneous mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mpg‐C₃N₄). This method pertains to the use of mpg‐C₃N₄ as photoactivator for reduction of initially loaded copper(II) species, thus promoting the in situ formation of the copper(I) species. The controlled nature of the polymerizations in both natural sunlight and UV‐light irradiation at ambient temperature is confirmed by the good agreement of the kinetics of the ­polymerization with theoretical values. The light on–off experiments ­demonstrate that polymerizations are clearly initiated and moderated by either UV light or sunlight.

     

DCE‐MRI findings of invasive aspergillosis in patient with acute myeloid leukemia

Thoracic radiography and high resolution computerized tomography is used to diagnose pulmonary infections in immunosuppressed patients, although in some cases these do not provide enough information about the lesion. Dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging may be useful in these cases, especially for the characterization of cavitary lesions and assessment of their contrast diffusion.     

Disturbances in calcium metabolism and cardiomyocyte necrosis: the role of calcitropic hormones

A synchronized dyshomeostasis of extra- and intracellular Ca(2+), expressed as plasma ionized hypocalcemia and excessive intracellular Ca(2+) accumulation, respectively, represents a common pathophysiologic scenario that accompanies several diverse disorders. These include low-renin and salt-sensitive hypertension, primary aldosteronism and hyperparathyroidism, congestive heart failure, acute and chronic hyperadrenergic stressor states, high dietary Na(+), and low dietary Ca(2+) with hypovitaminosis D. Homeostatic responses are invoked to restore normal extracellular [Ca(2+)](o), including increased plasma levels of parathyroid hormone and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). However, in cardiomyocytes these calcitropic hormones concurrently promote cytosolic free [Ca(2+)](i) and mitochondrial [Ca(2+)](m) overloading. The latter sets into motion organellar-based oxidative stress, in which the rate of reactive oxygen species generation overwhelms their detoxification by endogenous antioxidant defenses, including those related to intrinsically coupled increments in intracellular Zn(2+). In turn, the opening potential of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore increases, allowing for osmotic swelling and ensuing organellar degeneration. Collectively, these pathophysiologic events represent the major components to a mitochondriocentric signal-transducer-effector pathway to cardiomyocyte necrosis. From necrotic cells, there follows a spillage of intracellular contents, including troponins, and a subsequent wound healing response with reparative fibrosis or scarring. Taken together, the loss of terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes from this postmitotic organ and the ensuing replacement fibrosis each contribute to the adverse structural remodeling of myocardium and progressive nature of heart failure. In conclusion, hormone-induced ionized hypocalcemia and intracellular Ca(2+) overloading comprise a pathophysiologic cascade common to diverse disorders and that initiates a mitochondriocentric pathway to nonischemic cardiomyocyte necrosis.     

Oral complaints of denture-wearing elderly people living in two nursing homes in istanbul, Turkey

Aim: The aim of this study was to observe and determine oral complaints of people aged 55 years or older, living in two nursing homes in Istanbul, Turkey, and their satisfaction with their complete or partial dentures by means of a simple questionnaire. Methods: Two old peoplea??s homes (one public and one private) in the district of Uskudar in Istanbul agreed to take part in this study. All residents who were available were invited to answer a piloted nine-point questionnaire with questions on age, gender, physical problems, eating, and communication, aesthetic denture wearing and psychological problems. The questions were asked in person by one investigator. The resulting data were entered into SPSS version 15. Results: Out of a total of 210 residents, 130 (61.9%) took part in the study, of whom 53% (n=71) of residents were living in the private nursing home and 60% (n=81) were female. One hundred and five (80%) were denture wearers. More than half of the residents (59%, n=79) were over 75 years old. Problems were mostly seen in older ages, especially those over 75 years old, over 60% of whom reported problems for all the variables listed in the questionnaire. Women were more aware of halitosis than men. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm those of previous studies and suggest that elderly people with dentures, and particularly complete dentures, frequently complain of a wide range of problems including: eating, social interaction and communication and these problems have a detrimental influence on their quality of life.     

Mean Platelet Volume in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Does it have a Role in Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation?

We assessed the clinical echocardiograhic, hematological, and biochemical parameters in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) and control individuals mainly focusing on the mean platelet volume (MPV) in terms of DCMP and left ventricle (LV) thrombus formation. Consecutive patients (n = 251) with DCMP and 266 patients without DCMP were studied. Mean platelet volume was significantly greater in patients with DCMP than in control patients (P < .05 for all comparisons). Comparing DCMP patients with LV thrombus (19 patients, 8%) and without LV thrombus (232 patients, 92%) showed that the prevalence of smokers was significantly higher and ejection fraction was significantly lower in patients with LV thrombus. We have shown that patients with DCMP have significantly higher MPV suggesting more platelet activation and the MPV of patients with DCMP and LV thrombus is comparable to those of patients without LV thrombus.