Studies on immobilization of urease in gelatin by cross-linking.

Urease enzyme was immobilized in photographic gelatin by chemical cross-linking using formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and chromium (III) acetate. The effects of enzyme and cross-linker concentrations, temperature, incubation time and pH on urea hydrolysis were investigated. Effect of reuse on the activity of immobilized enzyme was also studied. Glutaraldehyde (0.004 M) was the most suitable cross-linker; relative activities within 2.5 months after 24 reuses were stable (about 78%).     

Multivariate statistical analyses of artificial radionuclides and heavy metals contaminations in deep mud of Keban Dam Lake, Turkey.

On the basis of the artificial radioactive and heavy metal compositions, factor and cluster analyses are employed to identify the inter-relationship among different variables and their similarity groups. In this paper, 15 physico-chemical variables, including the activities of 137Cs, 90Sr, total alpha, total beta, and concentrations of Fe, Mg, Ca, K, Na, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, and Mn, are used for the application of the proposed methodologies. The spatio-temporal samples of these variables are collected from deep mud at about 30-35 m mean depth in the reservoir of Keban Dam Lake, which is located in the eastern part of Turkey. Spatially, there are 20 sampling sites at the dam with 150 km2 lake surface area where samples were taken in 2006. The lake is affected by man-made and industrial influxes. The application of the factor and cluster analysis methods yields that the former method reduces the number of variables into six factors with 77.2% variance explanation whereas the latter yields three distinctive groups of the same variables.     

Evaluation of maxillary sinus after treatment of midfacial fractures.

PURPOSE: Maxillary sinuses are the most frequently injured anatomic region of the facial skeleton in midfacial fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patients with maxillary sinus wall fractures using clinical examinations, maxillofacial computed tomography (CT), and cranial bone single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) and to interpret the results of these examinations to evaluate the indications of surgical intervention or drainage for maxillary sinus after maxillary sinus wall fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of examinations of 15 patients with maxillary sinus fractures who were treated for midfacial fractures were evaluated. Follow-up examinations were performed in the range of 3 to 47 months after surgery (average, 19.8 months). The patients ranged in age from 10 to 45 years, with an average age of 31.6 years. There were 11 male and 4 female patients. Seven patients had Le Fort II fractures, 6 patients had tripod zygomatic fractures, 1 patient had infraorbital fracture, and 1 patient had zygomatic arch fracture. Operative procedure was performed in all cases. To evaluate maxillary sinus after surgery, maxillofacial computed tomography (CT), cranial bone SPECT, and maxillary sinusitis evaluation form were used in all patients. RESULTS: Maxillofacial CT scans were related to sinusitis in 9 patients who had positive complaints for sinusitis. The cranial bone SPECT showed positive uptake at the fractured sites in 8 patients, minimal uptake in 2 patients, and normal uptake in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical examination, maxillofacial CT, and cranial bone SPECT are the most reliable methods available today for the diagnosis and follow-up of complications of maxillary sinus fractures.     

Prenatally closed gastroschisis with midgut atresia

Spontaneous prenatal closure of gastroschisis (GS) is rare and usually associated with atresia of the midgut. We describe a case of GS diagnosed at 20 weeks' gestation that resolved spontaneously in utero. At delivery the infant had an ileus. A laparotomy with a jejunocolostomy was performed, but she died at 2 months of age due to complications of total parenteral nutrition.     

In vitro evaluation of the amoebicidal activity of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on Acanthamoeba castellanii and its cytotoxic potential on corneal cells.

Free-living protozoa of the genus Acanthamoeba can cause one of the most severe, potentially sight-threatening infections of the eye, the so-called A. keratitis. A. keratitis is difficult to treat because, under adverse conditions, the amoeba encyst and medical therapy is often less effective against cysts than against trophozoites. The aim of this study was to investigate evaluate the in vitro effect of the nonpolar subfraction of the methanol extract of garlic (Allium sativum) on the growth of A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts and also its cytotoxicity on corneal cells in vitro. Extract was evaluated for its amoebicidal activity, using an inverted light microscope. The effect of the nonpolar extract with the concentrations, ranging from 0.78 to 62.5 mg/mL on the proliferation of A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts, were examined in vitro. For the determination of cytotoxicity of the extract on corneal cells, agar diffusion tests were performed. The present study demonstrates the in vitro effectiveness of the garlic against the A. castellanii growth curve. Evaluations revealed that garlic inhibits trophozoite growth in dose- and time-dependent ways. In the case of the cyctotoxic acitivities, it showed no cytotoxicity for the cornea cells in the concentration of 3.90 mg/mL. These findings indicate that nonpolar subfraction of the methanol extracts of garlic has amoebicidal, as well as its cysticidal, properties on Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts. Garlic alone, and in combination with other amoebicidal agents, may be used in clinical practices after further investigations.     

Transcanal anterior approach for cystic lesions of the petrous apex.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of a newly described approach, the transcanal anterior approach that is a modification of the subcochlear approach for the drainage of cystic lesions of the petrous apex. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective temporal bone study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. MATERIALS: A total of six cadaveric temporal bone specimens (four males) were included. Right ear in four specimens and left ear in two specimens were used. INTERVENTIONS: The approach commenced with postauricular skin incision. After the transsection of the meatal skin, antero-inferior tympanotomy was performed. Anteroinferior canaloplasty localized the carotid canal. As much as 0.5 cm of the vertical segment of the internal carotid artery was skeletonized. After the identification of the artery, petrous apex cells were reached by drilling the cortical bone between the cochlea and the internal carotid artery. An air cell tract was established. Position and length of the tract in two specimens were demonstrated on the 1 mm-cut computerized tomography scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Utility of the approach was investigated based on the established criteria: anteroposterior diameter and height of the fenestra of the tract, length of the tract from the cochlea to the deepest point of the tract (depth of the tract), and the injury risk of the internal carotid artery and the cochlea. RESULTS: The mean anteroposterior diameter, the height, and the length were 4.7 +/- 1.05 mm, 3.2 +/- 0.68 mm, and 14.7 +/- 1.1 mm, respectively. Injury did not occur in the cochlea or internal carotid artery in any of the specimens. CONCLUSION: With the subcochlear approach, there is always potential risk of injury to the cochlea, the internal carotid artery, and the jugular bulb. Although this new approach includes a technically challenging stage (exposing the vertical portion of the internal carotid artery), partly exposing the vertical portion of the artery provides a safer approach, which decreases the injury risk for the round window and the jugular bulb. Additionally, measurements show that it is possible to reach a considerable part of the petrous apex cells.     

Endovascular treatment of huge saccular abdominal aortic aneurysm in a young Behcet patient: mid-term result

Background  

Abdominal aortic aneurysm formation is among the arterial complications of Behcet's disease. Weakness and fragility of aortic walls leads to the development of arterial complications like pseudoaneurysms.