Sex Estimation From Sternal Measurements Using Multidetector Computed Tomography

We aimed to show the utility and reliability of sternal morphometric analysis for sex estimation. Sex estimation is a very important step in forensic identification. Skeletal surveys are main methods for sex estimation studies. Morphometric analysis of sternum may provide high accuracy rated data in sex discrimination. In this study, morphometric analysis of sternum was evaluated in 1mm chest computed tomography scans for sex estimation. Four hundred forty 3 subjects (202 female, 241 male, mean age: 44 +/- 8.1 [ distribution: 30-60 year old]) were included the study. Manubrium length (ML), mesosternum length (2L), Sternebra 1 (S1W), and Sternebra 3 (S3W) width were measured and also sternal index (SI) was calculated. Differences between genders were evaluated by student t-test. Predictive factors of sex were determined by discrimination analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Male sternalmeasurement values are significantly higher than females (P< 0.001) while SI is significantly low in males (P< 0.001). In discrimination analysis, MSL has high accuracy rate with 80.2% in females and 80.9% in males. MSL also has the best sensitivity (75.9%) and specificity (87.6%) values. Accuracy rates were above 80% in 3 stepwise discrimination analysis for both sexes. Stepwise 1(ML, MSL, S1W, S3W) has the highest accuracy rate in stepwise discrimination analysis with 86.1% in females and 83.8% in males. Our study showed that morphometric computed tomography analysis of sternum might provide important information for sex estimation

VARIATION OF DISTRIBUTION COEFFICIENT OF CAFFEINE BETWEEN WATER AND ETHYL ACETATE/CHLOROFORM MIXTURE DEPENDING ON THE MEDIUM ACIDITY

Kafein, ülkemizde önemli bir tarımsal ürün olan ve büyük miktarlarda üretilen çayın enönemli bileşenidir. Kafein, çok yaygın ve farklı alanlardaki kullanımı nedeniyle büyük ticarideğer taşımaktadır. Bu nedenle, ekonomik üretim proseslerinin geliştirilmesi son dereceönemlidir.Bu çalışmanın amacı, kafeinin su ve etil asetat/kloroform karışımı arasındaki dağılmakatsayılarının pH\'a bağlı olarak değişiminin incelenmesidir. Çalışmada organik çözücükarışımı etil asetat/kloroformun beş farklı oranı kullanılmıştır. Bu oranlar %20, %40, %50,%60 ve %80 kloroform içerecek şekilde seçilmiştir. Ayrıca dağılma katsayısının pH\'yabağımlılığının incelenmesi için denemeler beş farklı pH\'da yapılmıştır. Bu pH değerleri 5.65,5.90, 6.25, 7.10 ve 7.90\'dır. Deneysel çalışmada hazırlanan % 1\'lik (hacimsel) kafeinçözeltisinden belirli miktar alınarak çözücü karışımı ile ekstrakt edilmiş ve iyodometriyöntemiyle kafein analizi yapılmıştır. Yapılan deneysel çalışmalar sonucunda, pH değerininyükselmesiyle dağılma katsayısının arttığı tespit edilmiştir.Caffeine is a main component of tea, which is an important agricultural product in ourcountry. It has a great economical value because of its different and extensive industrialapplications.The aim of this study is to investigate the variation of the distribution coefficients ofcaffeine between water and ethyl acetate/chloroform mixture depending on pH. Ethylacetate/chloroform mixture was used in five different ratios. These ratios were selected as tocontain 20%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 80% chloroform. Also five different pH were selected toinvestigate the distribution coefficient depending on pH. These pH values were 5.65, 5.90,6.25, 7.10 and 7.90.In experimental investigations, 1% aqueous solution of caffeine was used. Caffeinecontent was analysed by means of Iodometry method.It was seen that the distribution coefficient of caffeine between water and solvent mixturewas increased with increasing pH

VARIATION OF DISTRIBUTION COEFFICIENT OF CAFFEINE BETWEEN WATER AND ETHYL ACETATE/CHLOROFORM MIXTURE DEPENDING ON THE MEDIUM ACIDITY

Kafein, ülkemizde önemli bir tarımsal ürün olan ve büyük miktarlarda üretilen çayın enönemli bileşenidir. Kafein, çok yaygın ve farklı alanlardaki kullanımı nedeniyle büyük ticarideğer taşımaktadır. Bu nedenle, ekonomik üretim proseslerinin geliştirilmesi son dereceönemlidir.Bu çalışmanın amacı, kafeinin su ve etil asetat/kloroform karışımı arasındaki dağılmakatsayılarının pH\'a bağlı olarak değişiminin incelenmesidir. Çalışmada organik çözücükarışımı etil asetat/kloroformun beş farklı oranı kullanılmıştır. Bu oranlar %20, %40, %50,%60 ve %80 kloroform içerecek şekilde seçilmiştir. Ayrıca dağılma katsayısının pH\'yabağımlılığının incelenmesi için denemeler beş farklı pH\'da yapılmıştır. Bu pH değerleri 5.65,5.90, 6.25, 7.10 ve 7.90\'dır. Deneysel çalışmada hazırlanan % 1\'lik (hacimsel) kafeinçözeltisinden belirli miktar alınarak çözücü karışımı ile ekstrakt edilmiş ve iyodometriyöntemiyle kafein analizi yapılmıştır. Yapılan deneysel çalışmalar sonucunda, pH değerininyükselmesiyle dağılma katsayısının arttığı tespit edilmiştir.Caffeine is a main component of tea, which is an important agricultural product in ourcountry. It has a great economical value because of its different and extensive industrialapplications.The aim of this study is to investigate the variation of the distribution coefficients ofcaffeine between water and ethyl acetate/chloroform mixture depending on pH. Ethylacetate/chloroform mixture was used in five different ratios. These ratios were selected as tocontain 20%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 80% chloroform. Also five different pH were selected toinvestigate the distribution coefficient depending on pH. These pH values were 5.65, 5.90,6.25, 7.10 and 7.90.In experimental investigations, 1% aqueous solution of caffeine was used. Caffeinecontent was analysed by means of Iodometry method.It was seen that the distribution coefficient of caffeine between water and solvent mixturewas increased with increasing pH

Investigation of Cytotoxic Effect of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) Fruit

The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxic effect of black mulberry fruit extract (Morus nigra L.) on human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and prostate cancer (PC3) cell lines. The extract prepared from mulberry (M. nigra) fresh fruit was applied to cancer cell lines in 5 different concentrations (1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/75 and 1/100) for 72 hours. At the end of the incubation period, cell viability was determined by MTT (3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Results were compared with negative and positive control groups. The effect of mulberry (M. nigra) fruit extract on cell viability was determined depending on the concentration applied; extract showed a significant cytotoxic effect on PC3 cell line at the 1/10 concentration compared to the control group, but not detected any effect at 1/25, 1/50, 1/75 and 1/100 concentrations. In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, there was a high cytotoxic effect at a concentration of 1/10 compared to the control group, while a lower effect was observed at 1/25, 1/50, 1/75 and 1/100 concentrations. The data obtained from the study showed that extract prepared from black mulberry fruit has cytotoxic effect especially against breast cancer cells

Sex estimation in a contemporary Turkish population based on CT scans of the calcaneus

Building a reliable biological profile from decomposed remains depends heavily on the accurate estimation of sex. A variety of methods based on every single skeletal element have been developed over the years for different populations employing both osteological and virtual methods. The latter seem to be a reasonable alternative in countries lacking osteological reference collections. The current study used 3D virtual models of calcanei from CT scans of living adults to develop a sex estimation method for contemporary Turkish. Four hundred and twenty eight calcanei CT scans were analysed. The sample was divided in two subsamples: an original (N = 348) and a validation sample (N = 80) with similar distribution of males and females. Nine classical measurements were taken using the 3D models of the calcanei and two different statistical methods (Discriminant function analysis and Binary logistic regression) were used. Classification accuracy ranged from 82% to 98% for the validation sample and it was consistently high using any of the two methods. Sex bias seems to be lower for most of the logistic regression equations compared to the discriminant functions. These results, however, need further testing to be verified. Based on the results of this study we recommend the use of both methods for sex estimation from the measurements of the calcaneus bone in a Turkish population. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

“The Lolelaplap (Marshall Islands) in Us: Sailing West to East (Ralik→Ratak) to These Our Atolls (Aelon Kein Ad) Ad Jolet Jen Anij (Our Blessed Inheritance from God)”

This paper discusses the expansion of Oceania through a Marshallese indigenous lens as a focal point. It explains that decolonizing methodologies allows reclaiming of space for mental liberation and reassurement of constitutional rights. It highlights similar occurrences of decolonization practices meeting resistance in the 21st century all while strengthening the human right argument that no human deserves any less than their fellow human brothers and sisters. It argues that an indigenous imagery can only be viewed through an indigenous lens where the researches’ level of purity is retained and unfiltered. It nevertheless argues that Marshallese ethnolinguistics reveal the same cultural practices in America, Judeo-Christianity, and Oceania thus dictating the reality that “we are the same not withstanding one stays here and one there (Bedbedjin Bedbedjen, Bedbedjinma wot Kwe)”. It further explains the importance in these similarities and how Marshallese spirituality predates introduced American Judeo-Christianity despite the latter attempting to marginalize the former. It concludes by stating that Marshallese contributions on the global stage are rooted in that culture of love (IaKwe) which is echoed by the custom(s) revealing the significance of Marshallese validation academically, spiritually, economically, & socially to prevent institutionalized discrimination. This paper ends stating that the agency to know one’s self and how one should fit in the world, is a human right in itself and Marshallese are entitled to this sense of self worth through knowing thy self by thy self where real thinking takes place in one’s own mind as we all live our own lives

Forensic age diagnostics by magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal humeral epiphysis

The most commonly used radiological method for age estimation of living individuals is X-ray. Computed tomography is not commonly used due to high radiation exposure, which raises ethical concerns. This problem can be solved with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which avoids the use of ionizing radiation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility of MRI analysis of the proximal humeral epiphyses for forensic age estimations of living individuals. In this study, 395 left proximal humeral epiphyses (patient age 12-30years) were evaluated with fast-spin-echo proton density-weighted image (FSE PD) sequences in a coronal oblique orientation on shoulder MRI images. A five-stage scoring system was used following the method of Dedouit et al. The intra- and interobserver reliabilities assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic were =0.818 and =0.798, respectively. According to this study, stage five first appeared at 20 and 21years of age in males and females, respectively. These results are not directly comparable to any other published study due to the lack of MRI data on proximal humeral head development. These findings may provide valuable information for legally important age thresholds using shoulder MRI. The current study demonstrates that MRI of the proximal humerus can support forensic age estimation. Further research is needed to establish a standardized protocol that can be applied worldwide

Applicability of T1-weighted MRI in the assessment of forensic age based on the epiphyseal closure of the humeral head

This work investigates the value of magnetic resonance imaging analysis of proximal epiphyseal fusion in research examining the growth and development of the humerus and its potential utility in establishing forensic age estimation. In this study, 428 proximal humeral epiphyses (patient age, 12-30years) were evaluated with T1-weighted turbo spin echo (T1 TSE) sequences in coronal oblique orientation on shoulder MRI images. A scoring system was created following a combination of the Schmeling and Kellinghaus methods. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between age and ossification stage of the proximal humeral epiphysis (all subjects: rho=0.664, p<0.001; males: 0.631, p<0.001; females: rho=0.651, p<0.001). The intra- and inter-observer reliability assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic was =0.898 and =0.828, respectively. The earliest age of epiphysis closure was 17years for females and 18years for males. MRI of the proximal humeral epiphysis can be considered advantageous for forensic age estimation of living individuals in a variety of situations, ranging from monitoring public health to estimating the age of illegal immigrants/asylum seekers, minors engaged in criminal activities, and illegal participants in competitive sports, without the danger of radiation exposure

Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir plus Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir +/- Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population.Material and Methods: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)+/- ribavirin (RBV) ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir (PrOD)+/- RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, factors affecting SVR, safety profile, and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) occurrence were analyzed.Results: SVR12 was achieved in 92.8% of the patients (4,040/4,352) according to intention-to-treat and in 98.3% of the patients (4,040/4,108) according to per-protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were similar between the treatment regimens (97.2%-100%) and genotypes (95.6%-100%). Patients achieving SVR showed a significant decrease in the mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (50.90 +/- 54.60 U/L to 17.00 +/- 14.50 U/L) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (7.51 +/- 4.54 to 7.32 +/- 3.40) (p<0.05). Of the patients, 2 were diagnosed with HCC during the treatment and 14 were diagnosed with HCC 37.0 +/- 16.0 weeks post-treatment. Higher initial MELD score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.38; p=0.023]), higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28; p=0.038), and higher serum ALT levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83; p=0.042) were associated with poor SVR12. The most common adverse events were fatigue (12.6%), pruritis (7.3%), increased serum ALT (4.7%) and bilirubin (3.8%) levels, and anemia (3.1%).Conclusion: LDV/SOF or PrOD +/- RBV were effective and tolerable treatments for patients with CHC and with or without advanced liver disease before and after liver transplantation. Although HCV eradication improves the liver function, there is a risk of developing HCC.Turkish Association for the Study of The Liver (TASL