Background: The use of natural ingredients in skincare products has become a topic of interest in contemporary society. The adverse effects and environmental risks of synthetic compounds have prompted studies on the use of photosynthetic organisms as sustainable and ecofriendly sources of effective ingredients. Natural extracts have gained attention in the cosmetic industry, especially those derived from plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria have gained prominence in the cosmetic industry because of their low culture requirements, rapid growth rates, and capacity to produce different bioactive metabolites. As a result, cyanobacteria are economically viable and sustainable resources. Objective: We aimed to determine the effect of coating with natural phycocyanin and phycoerythrin pigments from two cyanobacterial species, Spirulina platensis and Nostoc sp., on the properties of three cosmetic products: soap, anti-acne face wash, and hand sanitizer gel. Methods: After cyanobacterial culture, the pigments were extracted, purified, and coated with the stabilizer, chitosan. Thereafter, cosmetic products were formulated with phycocyanin and phycoerythrin, and their viscosity, pH, stability, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties against bacteria were evaluated using the appropriate assays. Results: The anti-acne wash gel and soap had better properties when coated with both pigments and phycocyanin alone, whereas the hand sanitizer gel had better properties when coated with phycoerythrin alone and both pigments. Conclusion Overall, three coated and stable cosmetic products can be produced using cyanobacterial pigments owing to their high fortifying capacity.

Purpose: Investigations of the hemodynamic changes of the venous system in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have shown contradictory results. Herein, the biomechanical parameters of the internal jugular vein (IJV) and common carotid artery (CCA) of MS patients were extracted and compared to healthy individuals. Methods: B-mode and Doppler sequential ultrasound images of 64 IJVs and CCAs of women including 22 healthy individuals, 22 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients, and 20 primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) patients were recorded and processed. The biomechanical parameters of the IJV and the CCA walls during three cardiac cycles were calculated. Results: The IJV maximum and minimum pressures were higher in the MS patients than in the healthy subjects, by 31% and 19% in RRMS patients and 39% and 24% in PPMS patients. The venous wall thicknesses in RRMS and PPMS patients were 51% and 60% higher than in healthy subjects, respectively. IJV distensibility in RRMS and PPMS patients was 70% and 75% lower, and compliance was 40% and 59% lower than in healthy subjects. The maximum intima-media thicknesses of the CCAs were 38% and 24%, and the minimum intima-media thicknesses were 27% and 23% higher in RRMS and PPMS patients than in healthy individuals, respectively. The shear modulus of CCA walls in RRMS and PPMS patients was 17% and 31%, and the radial elastic moduli were 47% and 9% higher than in healthy individuals. Conclusion Some physical and biomechanical parameters of the CCA and IJV showed significant differences between MS patients and healthy individuals.

Objectives: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one of the most important outcome measures for patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate HRQoL and related factors in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: A total of 420 COVID-19 patients who had been discharged from hospital were selected using a systematic sampling. The EuroQol 5-dimensional-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire along with medical records of the patients were used to gather the data. The t test and analysis of variance were employed to test the difference between mean EQ-5D-5L scores, and the BetaMix model was used to investigate factors associated with EQ-5D-5L scores. Results: The mean score for the patients who completed the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire (n = 409) was 0.6125. The EQ-5D-5L scores were significantly higher in males, patients with younger age , those with a low level of education, the employed, patients who worked in uncrowded workplaces, patients without diabetes, and those who were not admitted to intensive care unit. The BetaMix model showed that gender, age, education, employment status, having diabetes, heart failure, and admission to the intensive care unit were significant independent predictors of the EQ-5D-5L index values. Conclusion The mean score for EQ-5D-5L in COVID-19 patients was low in this study. Some of the factors, especially aging and having diabetes, should be considered in the aftercare of patients to improve their HRQoL.

· AIM:To evaluate the corneal densitometry in treatmentnaive patients with keratoconus and its relevance with anterior and posterior corneal elevation.· METHODS:Keratoconic corneas were examined using the Pentacam.Corneal densitometry was measured over a 12-mm diameter area,divided by annular concentric zones and depths,more over anterior and posterior corneal elevation was measured.Keratoconus was classified according to the topographic keratoconus classification.· RESULTS:A total of 152 subjects [72 patients with keratoconus (46 male,26 female) and 80 healthy control subjects (50 male,30 female)] were included in the study.There were significant differences in corneal densitometry values of the groups in central 2 mm keratoconus (KC)=19.62±4.17 gray scale unit (GSU),N=15.38±1.54 GSU(P＜0.0001),and in annulus of 2 to 6 mmin diameter (K=16.40±2.18 GSU,N=15.31±1.25 GSU,P＜0.0001).When densitometry values for different depths were examined,the anterior layer presented the highest value (KC =23.69±3.71 GSU,N =20.91 ±2.52 GSU,P＜0.0001),which was significantly higher than the values obtained in the central and posterior layer (KC =14.34± 1.70 GSU,N=13.61±1.21 GSU,P=0.001 and KC=11.40± 1.23 GSU,N =12.35±0.88,P=0.002 respectively).Analysis of the correlation between corneal densitometry for each layer depth (anterior,central and posterior) with posterior corneal elevation values demonstrated significant association (r =0.293,r =0.278 and r =0.294 respectively).The similar correlation was not found between corneal densitometry for each layer depth and anterior corneal elevation (r=-0.211,r=-0.101,r=0.99 respectively).In the control patients such a significant correlation between posterior/anterior corneal elevation and corneal light backscatter for each layer depth was not found.· CONCLUSION:The densitometry map reveals that light backscatter was higher in the central portion of the anterior keratoconic cornea.Corneal densitometry values of keratoconus patients were correlated with posterior corneal elevation in 0-2,6-10 and 10-12 annuli and in all anterior,central and posterior layers.The densitometry level was higher in more advanced stages.

BACKGROUND:Aluminum phosphide (AlP) poisoning is common in the developing countries. There is no specific antidote for the treatment of acute AlP poisoning. Early diagnosis of poisoning and outcome predictors may facilitate treatment decisions. The objective of this study was to determine the trend of blood lactate level in acute AlP poisoning to evaluate its role as a prognostic factor. METHODS:This was a prospective study on acute AlP intoxicated patients during one year. Demographic data, clinical and laboratory data on admission, and outcome were recorded in a self-made questionnaire. Blood lactate levels were analyzed every two hours for 24 hours. RESULTS:Thirty-nine (27 male, 12 female) patients were included in the study. The mortality rate was 38.5％. The mean blood pressure, pulse rate, blood pH and serum bicarbonate level were significantly different between the survivors and non-survivors groups. Blood lactate level was significantly higher in the non-survivors group during 8 to 16 hours post ingestion. CONCLUSION:Blood lactate level could be used as an index of severity of acute AlP poisoning.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, whose etiologies are still unknown. This study was performed to evaluate the humoral immune response in terms of B cell functions in selected IBD patients. METHODS: Eighteen pediatric patients with IBD, including 12 cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and six with Crohn disease (CD), were enrolled in this study. The pneumococcal vaccine was injected in all patients, and the IgG antibody level to the polysaccharide antigen was measured before and 4 weeks after injection. The B cell switch-recombination process was evaluated. RESULTS: Five patients with IBD (three CD and two UC) had defects in B cell switching, which was significantly higher than in controls (p=0.05). Ten patients had a specific antibody deficiency and exhibited a higher frequency of bacterial infection than the healthy group. The mean increased level of IgG after vaccination was lower in IBD patients (82.9+/-32.5 microg/mL vs 219.8+/-59.0 microg/mL; p=0.001). Among the patients who had an insufficient response, no significant difference in the number of switched memory B-cell was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A defect in B lymphocyte switching was observed in pediatric IBD patients, and especially in those patients with CD. Owing to an increased risk of bacterial infections in those patients with antibody production defects, pneumococcal vaccination could be recommended. However, not all patients can benefit from the vaccination, and several may require other prophylactic methods.
Adolescent ; Antibody Formation/*drug effects ; B-Lymphocytes/metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Colitis, Ulcerative/complications/*immunology ; Crohn Disease/complications/*immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/metabolism ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications/*immunology ; Male ; Pneumococcal Vaccines/*pharmacology ; Polysaccharides/*pharmacology ; Treatment Outcome