Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis has an important role in the clinical assessment of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, arterial puncture or insertion of an arterial catheter has many drawbacks. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether venous blood gas (VBG) values of pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) and oxygen (PO2), bicarbonate (HCO3), and oxygen saturation (SO2) can reliably predict ABG levels in patients with AECOPD. One hundred and thirty-two patients with a prior diagnosis of COPD presenting with acute exacerbation according to AECOPD criteria were included in this prospective study. AECOPD is defined as a recent increase in cough, wheezing, the volume and purulence of sputum or shortness of breath necessitating a change in regular medication, including corticosteroids or antibiotics. ABG samples were taken immediately after venous sampling, and both were analyzed. Linear regression analysis was performed and equations were established for the estimation of arterial values. The Pearson correlation coefficients for pH, PCO2, HCO3, PO2, and SO2 were 0.934, 0.908, 0.927, 0.252, and 0.296, respectively. There was a significant correlation between ABG and VBG values of pH, PCO2, and HCO3 (p < 0.001). Linear regression equations for the estimation of pH, PCO2, and HCO3 were as follows: arterial pH = 1.004 × venous pH; arterial PCO2 = 0.873 × venous PCO2; and arterial HCO3 = 0.951 × venous HCO3. VBG analysis can reliably predict the ABG values of pH, PCO2 and HCO3 in patients with AECOPD.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Canadian Neurological Scale (CNS), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores in patients who had acute ischemic stroke. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 88 patients who have had acute ischemic stroke and a control group of 40 patients who were evaluated in the Emergency Department for disorders other than acute ischemic stroke. All subjects had RDW determined, and stroke patients had scoring with the GCS, CNS, and NIHSS scores. The GCS, CNS, and NIHSS scores of the patients were rated as mild, moderate, or severe and compared with RDW. Results: Stroke patients had significantly higher median RDW than control subjects. The median RDW values were significantly elevated in patients who had more severe rather than milder strokes rated with all three scoring systems (GCS, CNS, and NIHSS). The median RDW values were significantly elevated for patients who had moderate rather than mild strokes rated by GCS and CNS and for patients who had severe rather than mild strokes rated by NIHSS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.760 (95% confidence interval, 0.676–0.844). Separation of stroke patients and control groups was optimal with RDW 14% (sensitivity, 71.6%; specificity, 67.5%; accuracy, 70.3%). Conclusion: In stroke patients who have symptoms <24 hours, the RDW may be useful in predicting the severity and functional outcomes of the stroke.

Background: Cell‐based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seems promising to obtain regeneration of dental tissues. A comparison of tissue sources, including periodontal ligament (PDL) versus pulp (P), could provide critical information to select an appropriate MSC population for designing predictable regenerative therapies. The purpose of this study is to compare the proliferation and stemness and the MSC‐specific and mineralized tissue–specific gene expression of P‐MSCs and PDL‐MSCs.Methods: MSCs were obtained from PDL and P tissue of premolars (n = 3) extracted for orthodontic reasons. MSC proliferation was evaluated using a real‐time cell analyzer for 160 hours. Telomerase activity was evaluated by a telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay based on enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Total RNA was isolated from the MSCs on day 3. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array was used to compare the expression of MSC‐specific genes. The expression of mineralized tissue‐associated genes, including Type I collagen (COL I), runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RunX2), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteocalcin (OCN) messenger RNA (mRNA), was evaluated using quantitative real‐time PCR.Results: Higher proliferation potential and telomerase activity were observed in the P‐MSCs compared to PDL‐MSCs of premolar teeth. Fourteen of 84 genes related to MSCs were expressed differently in the PDL‐MSCs versus the P‐MSCs. The expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and BMP6; sex‐determining region Y‐box 9 (SOX9); integrin, alpha 6 (ITGA6); melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM); phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis, class S (PIGS); prominin 1 (PROM1); ribosomal protein L13A (RPL13A); and microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) were higher in the P‐MSCs compared to the PDL‐MSCs, and higher expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), interleukin (IL)‐6, insulin (INS), alanyl (membrane) aminopeptidase (ANPEP), and IL‐10 were observed in the PDL‐MSCs. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the expression of mineralized tissue–associated genes, including BSP and RunX2, between the P‐MSCs and the PDL‐MSCs. Higher expression of COL I and lower expression of OCN mRNA transcripts were noted in the PDL‐MSCs compared to the P‐MSCs.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that MSCs isolated from P and PDL tissues show different cellular behavior. To increase the predictability of MSC‐based regenerative treatment, differences in dental tissue–derived MSCs and favorable aspects of cell sources should be further clarified.

Genetic diversity among plant species offers prospects for improving the plant characteristics. Its assessment is necessary to help tackle the threats of environmental fluctuations and for the effective exploitation of genetic resources in breeding programmes. Although wheat is one of the most thoroughly studied crops in terms of genetic polymorphism studies, phylogenetic affinities of Indian and Turkish Triticum species have not been assessed to date. In this study, genetic association of 95 tetraploid and hexaploid wheat genotypes originating from India and Turkey was determined for the first time. Combined analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA and inter-simple sequence repeat markers disclosed 177 polymorphic bands, and both the dendrogram and two-dimensional scatterplot showed similar groupings of the wheat genotypes. Turkish hexaploid varieties were basically divided into two clusters, one group showed its close association with Indian hexaploid varieties and the other with Indian tetraploid varieties. Analysis of molecular variance revealed high (77 %) genetic variation within Indian and Turkish populations. Population structure analysis elucidated distinct clustering of wheat genotypes on the basis of both geographical origin and ploidy. The results revealed in this study will support worldwide wheat breeding programmes and assist in achieving the target of sustainable wheat production.