DNA‐based light‐harvesting antennae with varying arrangements of light‐absorbing phenanthrene donor units and a pyrene acceptor dye were synthesized and tested for their light‐harvesting properties. Excitation of phenanthrene is followed by rapid transfer of the excitation energy to the pyrene chromophore. A block of six light‐absorbing phenanthrenes was separated from the site of the acceptor in a stepwise manner by an increasing number of intervening AT base pairs. Energy transfer occurs through interposed AT base pairs and is still detected when the phenanthrene antenna is separated by 5 AT base pairs.
Objectives Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical emergency in children. The accurate and timely diagnosis of AA in children can be challenging, and delayed diagnosis rates have been reported to range from 5.9% to 27.6%. Although combining clinical history and repeated physical examination with laboratory tests and radiographic imaging modalities help reach the diagnosis, novel biomarkers can support the surgeons' decision as well. The aims of this study were to evaluate a new plasma marker, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), to improve diagnostic accuracy in AA patients, and to determine a cutoff value of uPAR, which can safely include/exclude the diagnosis of AA. Methods We conducted a prospective study of children who underwent surgery for AA. Patients were categorized into the following 3 groups: group 1, controls consisted of 32 healthy volunteers; group 2, patients underwent surgery for nonperforated AA (n = 35); and group 3, patients underwent surgery for perforated AA (n = 21). Blood was sampled from group 1 at the admission and from group 2 and 3 before appendectomy. Serum uPAR, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and C-reactive protein concentrations were measured. Results Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, ANC, and white blood cell count values were significantly higher in group 2 and 3 than group 1, but there was no significant difference between group 2 and 3. C-reactive protein values were significantly higher only in group 3 than other groups. The cutoff value for uPAR is 2.2 ng/mL with sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 84.3% and ANC is 5900 cells/mm3 with sensitivity of 91.1% and specificity of 96.9% to diagnose appendicitis. The specificity was 81.3% and sensitivity was raised to 98.2% when evaluated together. Conclusions The incorporation of uPAR count and ANC could be a strong predictor of AA in children.
Omental cysts (OC) are rare abdominal pathology which are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. The most common presenting symptoms are abdominal distension and abdominal pain. We present a case of OC in a 3-year-old girl who presented with acute abdominal symptoms. The cyst was totally excised and histological examination revealed an OC with endothelial lining and serous fluid inside. A patient with OC in this report is presented and discussed with regard to the foregoing literature.
Umbilical venous catheterization has become a widely accepted intravenous route for premature babies. These catheters allow administration of parenteral nutrition and medication and facilitate blood sampling. Besides these benefits, they also have significant potential complications like portal vein thrombosis, infection, vascular or hepatic injury, arrhythmia and sepsis. One of the rare but important complication is extravasation of the fluids due to misplacement of the catheter. The typical symptoms of this condition are sudden deterioration, hepatic enlargement, hematocrit drop, hypotension and abdominal distension. We herein present a premature newborn with unusual acute abdomen findings suggesting a surgical pathology after the extravasation of total parenteral nutrition into the abdomen.
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