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Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the remineralization activation of the application of three fissure sealants (FSs), alone or with gaseous ozone (GO), on non-cavitated initial caries and evaluate the clinical success of FS. Study design: Sixty children who had DIAGNOdent scores between 10–30 on bilateral symmetric mandibular first permanent molars were included in study. In a split-mouth design, teeth were assigned to experimental (with GO) and control (without GO) groups. GO was applied to teeth on one side and then the same brand of randomly selected FSs was applied to the teeth on both sides. Children were divided into 3 groups based on type of FS (Group 1: Aegis Bosworth Co, North Hamlin Avenue Skokie, Illinois, USA, Group 2: Fuji Triage GC, Tokyo, Japan, Group 3: Helioseal Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein, Germany). All FSs were then examined for retention rates at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; at the end of 12 months, all FSs were removed with an air-abrasion device and DIAGNOdent scores noted to compare with the initial values. Results: The application of GO with either Fuji Triage or Aegis FS was effective on remineralization (p<0.05); however, the application of Helioseal FSs was not effective (p>0.05). The 1st and 12th months’ full retention rates of Fuji Triage FSs was a significant difference (p<0.05) from other FSs (Aegis and Helioseal) (p>0.05). Conclusions: GO+Aegis FS showed the highest remineralization; and, at the end of 12 months, its clinical success was higher than other FSs.

Air pollution and groundwater pollution in conjunction with agricultural activity were investigated in Antayla province on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. The air pollution was investigated in terms of gas-phase nitric acid (HNO 3 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), ammonia (NH 3 ), and particulate matter for a 6-month period in the atmosphere using a \"filter pack\" system, which was developed and optimized in our laboratory. Ozone was measured by using an automated analyzer. Among all of the gas-phase pollutants, HNO 3 had the lowest concentration (0.42 μg · m −3 ) followed by NH 3 . Agricultural activities seem to be the major source of observed NH 3 in the air. The current state of water pollution was investigated in terms of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides around the greenhouses, in which mainly tomato, pepper, and eggplant are cultivated. Water samples were collected from 40 points, 28 of which were wells and 12 of which were surface water. The pesticide concentrations in water samples were determined by means of solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by a gas chromatography (GC)-electron capture detector (ECD)/nitrogen phosphorus detector (NPD) system. In general, surface water samples were more polluted by the pesticides than groundwater samples. The most frequently observed pesticides were chlorpyriphos (57%) and aldrin (79%) in groundwater, and chlorpyriphos (75%), aldrin, and endosulfan sulfate (83%) in surface water samples. The highest concentrations were observed for fenamiphos (394.8 ng/L) and aldrin (68.51 ng/L) in groundwater, and dichlorvos (322.2 ng/L) and endosulfan sulfate (89.5 ng/L) in surface water samples. At least one pesticide had a concentration above the health limit in 38% of all the water samples analyzed.

COPD exacerbations requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission have a major impact on morbidity and mortality. Only 10%-25% of COPD exacerbations are eosinophilic. To assess whether eosinophilic COPD exacerbations have better outcomes than non-eosinophilic COPD exacerbations in the ICU. This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in a thoracic, surgery-level III respiratory ICU of a tertiary teaching hospital for chest diseases from 2013 to 2014. Subjects previously diagnosed with COPD and who were admitted to the ICU with acute respiratory failure were included. Data were collected electronically from the hospital database. Subjects' characteristics, complete blood count parameters, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), delta NLR (admission minus discharge), C-reactive protein (CRP) on admission to and discharge from ICU, length of ICU stay, and mortality were recorded. COPD subjects were grouped according to eosinophil levels (>2% or ≤2%) (group 1, eosinophilic; group 2, non-eosinophilic). These groups were compared with the recorded data. Over the study period, 647 eligible COPD subjects were enrolled (62 [40.3% female] in group 1 and 585 [33.5% female] in group 2). Group 2 had significantly higher C-reactive protein, neutrophils, NLR, delta NLR, and hemoglobin, but a lower lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet count than group 1, on admission to and discharge from the ICU. Median (interquartile range) length of ICU stay and mortality in the ICU in groups 1 and 2 were 4 days (2-7 days) vs 6 days (3-9 days) (P<0.002), and 12.9% vs 24.9% (P<0.034), respectively. COPD exacerbations with acute respiratory failure requiring ICU admission had a better outcome with a peripheral eosinophil level >2%. NLR and peripheral eosinophilia may be helpful indicators for steroid and antibiotic management.

COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization increase morbidity and mortality. Although most COPD exacerbations are neutrophilic, approximately 10%-25% of exacerbations are eosinophilic. We aimed to evaluate mortality and outcomes of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic COPD exacerbations and identify new biomarkers that predict survival. A retrospective observational cohort study was carried out in a tertiary teaching hospital from January 1, 2014 to November 1, 2014. All COPD patients hospitalized with exacerbations were enrolled in the study at their initial hospitalization and followed-up for 6 months after discharge. Electronic data were collected from the hospital database. Subjects' characteristics, hemogram parameters, CRP levels, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-mean platelet volume ratio on admission and discharge, length of hospital stay (days), readmissions, and mortality were recorded. Patients were grouped according to peripheral blood eosinophil (PBE) levels: Group 1, >2% PBE, eosinophilic; Group 2, non-eosinophilic ≤2%. Patient survival after hospital discharge was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. A total of 1,704 patients hospitalized with COPD exacerbation were included. Approximately 20% were classified as eosinophilic. Six-month mortality was similar in eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic groups (14.2% and 15.2%, respectively); however, the hospital stay length and readmission rate were longer and higher in the non-eosinophilic group (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). CRP and NLR were significantly higher in the non-eosinophilic group (both P<0.01). The platelet-to-mean platelet volume ratio was not different between the two groups. Cox regression analysis showed that survival was negatively influenced by elevated CRP (P<0.035) and NLR (P<0.001) in the non-eosinophilic group. Non-eosinophilic patients with COPD exacerbations with high CRP and NLR values had worse outcomes than eosinophilic patients. PBE and NLR can be helpful markers to guide treatment decisions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of exposure to biomass smoke vs cigarette smoke on serum inflammatory markers and pulmonary function parameters in patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF). A total of 106 patients with CRF divided into age and gender-matched groups of cigarette-smoke exposure (n=55, mean [SD] age: 71.0 [12.0] years, 92.7% were females) and biomass smoke exposure (n=51, mean [SD] age: 73.0 [11.0] years, 94.1% were females) were included in this retrospective study. Data on patient demographics (age and gender), inflammatory markers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, platelet/mean platelet volume ratio, arterial blood gas analysis, and pulmonary function test findings, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV /FVC were obtained from medical records. Carbon dioxide partial pressure levels were significantly higher in the biomass smoke exposure than in the cigarette smoke exposure group (mean [SD] 51.0 [8.0] vs 47.0 [8.0] mmHg, =0.026, respectively). Spirometry revealed similarly low levels for FEV (%) (38.0 [16.0] vs 40.0 [12.0]%) and FVC (%) (45.0 [19.0] vs 39.0 [19.0]%) in cigarette-smoke and biomass smoke exposure groups, whereas biomass smoke exposure was associated with significantly higher FEV /FVC (75.0 [14.0] vs 58.0 [12.0]%, =0.001), lower FVC (mL) (mean [SD] 744.0 [410.0] vs 1,063.0 [592.0] mL, =0.035) and lower percentage of patients with FEV /FVC <70% (36.8% vs 82.0%, <0.001) than cigarette smoke exposure. Our findings indicate similarly increased inflammatory markers and abnormally low pulmonary function test findings in both biomass smoke exposure and cigarette smoke exposure groups, emphasizing the adverse effects of biomass smoke exposure on lungs to be as significant as cigarette smoke exposure. Association of biomass smoke exposure with higher likelihood of FEV /FVC ratio of >70% and more prominent loss of vital capacity than cigarette smoke exposure seems to indicate the likelihood of at least 18 years of biomass exposure to be sufficiently high to be responsible for both obstructive and restrictive pulmonary diseases.

As of January 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible for more than 2.2 million deaths worldwide (1). Potential vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed swiftly and vaccination programs were started in many countries. Turkey agreed to use inactivated vaccine candidate, ‘CoronaVac’ produced by Chinese biopharmaceutical company (3). Many of our patients having a rheumatic diseases (RD) call us for permission to get vaccination, while some express their concerns about the efficacy and safety issues. We therefore assessed the willingness to get vaccination among patients with RD compared to health workers and a sample from general population. A web-based questionnaire study was conducted in a cross-sectional design in 3 groups of participants: 1. patients with RD, 2. hospital workers and 3. General population. The questionnaire sought socio-demographic variables, COVID-19 related risk factors, willingness to get vaccination, and concerns and thoughts about vaccine. COVID-19 related anxiety (CAS) was also evaluated through the questionnaire. We studied in total 732 (258 M/ 474 F) patients with RD, 320 (88 M/ 232 F) hospital workers and 763 (258 M/ 505 F) individuals representing general population. Patients with RD were significantly older and less educated and spent less time using social media compared to both control groups (Table 1). CAS scores were similar between the study groups. Of the patients with RD, 29.2% were willing to be vaccinated, 19% were unwilling and 51.8% were undecided. These were similar among the general population (34.6%, 23.3% and 42.1%, respectively), whereas hospital workers were significantly more willing (52.5%, 20.9% and 26.6%, respectively) (p<0.0001). About a third in each group thought that vaccination should be obligatory.The major concerns associated with vaccine were fear from side effects, unknown scientific results and lack of confidence. Being male, older age, working in a hospital and increased anxiety levels were found to be independently associated with willingness. Only about one third of the patients with RD were willing to get vaccination, which was somewhat similar to that observed among the general population. This could be due to rushed vaccine development as well as negative news on vaccines on the social media. Our study also reveals that, after almost one year after the pandemic, about 95% in all study groups did not express dysfunctional anxiety related with COVID-19. [1]https://covid19.who.int/ [2]https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-26/turkey-signs-accord-with-biontech-for-coronavirus-vaccine None declared. Table 1Socio-demographic and COVID-19 associated variables, anxietyscores and willingness to get vaccinationPatients with RD(n=732)Hospital workers(n = 320)General population(n =763)PMale/ Female, n258/47488/232258/5050.045Age, mean ± SD, years42.8 ± 11.637.0 ± 10.040.8 ± 12.0<0.001Primary/middle school education, n (%)225 (30.7)6 (1.9)28 (3.7)<0.001≤ 1 hour daily spent using social media, n (%)270 (36.9)100 (31.3)192 (25.2)<0.0001COVID-19 related anxiety, total score, mean ± SD1.62 ± 3.031.81±2.641.55±2.710.389COVID-19 related anxiety, cut off value of ≥ 9, n (%)36 (5.1)13 (4.2)29 (4.0)0.626COVID-19 diagnosis in the participant (n %)<0.0001Yes104 (14.2)69 (21.6)70 (9.2)No617 (84.3)248 (77.5)687 (90.0)Unsure11 (1.5)3 (0.9)6 (0.8)COVID-19 diagnosis among the household or close friends, n (%)<0.0001Yes460 (62.8)244 (76.3)435 (57.0)No254 (34.7)76 (23.8)317 (41.5)Unsure18 (2.5)011 (1.4)Presence of any comorbid disease, n (%)304 (41.5)67 (20.9)181 (23.7)<0.0001History of psychiatric disorder, n (%)177 (24.2)51 (15.9)110 (14.4)<0.0001Willingness to get vaccination (n %)<0.0001Yes214 (29.2)168 (52.5)264 (34.6)No139 (19.0)67 (20.9)178 (23.3)Unsure379 (51.8)85 (26.6)321 (42.1)Do you think that vaccination should be obligatory? n (%)0.003Yes216 (29.5)113 (35.3)207 (27.1)No277 (37.8)136 (42.5)331 (43.4)Unsure239 (32.7)71 (22.2)225 (29.5)

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) usage outside of intensive care unit is not recommended in patients with COPD for severe acute respiratory failure (ARF). We assessed the factors associated with failure of NIMV in patients with ARF and severe acidosis admitted to the emergency department and followed on respiratory ward. This is a retrospective observational cohort study conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital specialized in chest diseases and thoracic surgery between June 1, 2013 and May 31, 2014. COPD patients who were admitted to our emergency department due to ARF were included. Patients were grouped according to the severity of acidosis into two groups: group 1 (pH=7.20-7.25) and group 2 (pH=7.26-7.30). Group 1 included 59 patients (mean age: 70±10 years, 30.5% female) and group 2 included 171 patients (mean age: 67±11 years, 28.7% female). On multivariable analysis, partial arterial oxygen pressure to the inspired fractionated oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio <200, delta pH value <0.30, and pH value <7.31 on control arterial blood gas after NIMV in the emergency room and peak C-reactive protein were found to be the risk factors for NIMV failure in COPD patients with ARF in the ward. NIMV is effective not only in mild respiratory failure but also with severe forms of COPD patients presenting with severe exacerbation. The determination of the failure criteria of NIMV and the expertise of the team is critical for treatment success.

Prochlorococcus marinus, the dominant photosynthetic organism in the ocean, is found in two main ecological forms: high-light-adapted genotypes in the upper part of the water column and low-light-adapted genotypes at the bottom of the illuminated layer. P. marinus SS120, the complete genome sequence reported here, is an extremely low-light-adapted form. The genome of P. marinus SS120 is composed of a single circular chromosome of 1,751,080 bp with an average G+C content of 36.4%. It contains 1,884 predicted protein-coding genes with an average size of 825 bp, a single rRNA operon, and 40 tRNA genes. Together with the 1.66-Mbp genome of P. marinus MED4, the genome of P. marinus SS120 is one of the two smallest genomes of a photosynthetic organism known to date. It lacks many genes that are involved in photosynthesis, DNA repair, solute uptake, intermediary metabolism, motility, phototaxis, and other functions that are conserved among other cyanobacteria. Systems of signal transduction and environmental stress response show a particularly drastic reduction in the number of components, even taking into account the small size of the SS120 genome. In contrast, housekeeping genes, which encode enzymes of amino acid, nucleotide, cofactor, and cell wall biosynthesis, are all present. Because of its remarkable compactness, the genome of P. marinus SS120 might approximate the minimal gene complement of a photosynthetic organism.

Identifying the mechanisms of eukaryotic genome evolution by comparative genomics is often complicated by the multiplicity of events that have taken place throughout the history of individual lineages, leaving only distorted and superimposed traces in the genome of each living organism. The hemiascomycete yeasts, with their compact genomes, similar lifestyle and distinct sexual and physiological properties, provide a unique opportunity to explore such mechanisms. We present here the complete, assembled genome sequences of four yeast species, selected to represent a broad evolutionary range within a single eukaryotic phylum, that after analysis proved to be molecularly as diverse as the entire phylum of chordates. A total of approximately 24,200 novel genes were identified, the translation products of which were classified together with Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins into about 4,700 families, forming the basis for interspecific comparisons. Analysis of chromosome maps and genome redundancies reveal that the different yeast lineages have evolved through a marked interplay between several distinct molecular mechanisms, including tandem gene repeat formation, segmental duplication, a massive genome duplication and extensive gene loss.

The objective of this study was to compare the change in 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) in 1 year as an indicator of exercise capacity among patients undergoing home non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) due to chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) caused by different etiologies. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary pulmonary disease hospital in patients who had completed 1-year follow-up under home NIMV because of CHRF with different etiologies (ie, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], obesity hypoventilation syndrome [OHS], kyphoscoliosis [KS], and diffuse parenchymal lung disease [DPLD]), between January 2011 and January 2012. The results of arterial blood gas (ABG) analyses and spirometry, and 6MWD measurements with 12-month interval were recorded from the patient files, in addition to demographics, comorbidities, and body mass indices. The groups were compared in terms of 6MWD via analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis (independent variables: analysis age, sex, baseline 6MWD, baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and baseline partial carbon dioxide pressure, in reference to COPD group). A total of 105 patients with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 61±12 years of whom 37 had COPD, 34 had OHS, 20 had KS, and 14 had DPLD were included in statistical analysis. There were no significant differences between groups in the baseline and delta values of ABG and spirometry findings. Both univariate ANOVA and MLR showed that the OHS group had the lowest baseline 6MWD and the highest decrease in 1 year (linear regression coefficient -24.48; 95% CI -48.74 to -0.21, P=0.048); while the KS group had the best baseline values and the biggest improvement under home NIMV (linear regression coefficient 26.94; 95% CI -3.79 to 57.66, P=0.085). The 6MWD measurements revealed improvement in exercise capacity test in CHRF patients receiving home NIMV treatment on long-term depends on etiological diagnoses.