Sexual functions and prolactin levels in patients with bipolar disorder

Objective: Mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs are known to have adverse effects on sexual function. However, patients often refrain from speaking about sexual complaints that may cause dose reduction and discontinuation of the drug without medical supervision. In this study we aimed to evaluate sexual functions of patients with bipolar disorder in remission period, considering prolactin levels and medications. Method: We recruited 52 patients with bipolar disorder in remission according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Prolactin levels were measured in all patients. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was used to assess sexual dysfunction. Results: Mean prolactin levels were 24.71 ± 4.25 and 19.96 ± 5.52 ng/ml respectively for females and males. Patients taking mood stabilizer (MS) and mood stabilizer plus antipsychotic (AP) treatment had different prolactin levels (p<0.001). Total GRISS scores were not different for MS and MS+AP treatment groups. We didn't find a correlation between Total GRISS scores and prolactin levels. There was a significant deterioration in female non-sensuality, female dissatisfaction and anorgasmia subscales of female patients and significant deterioration in premature ejaculation, impotence and male dissatisfaction subscales of male patients. Discussion: In our sample, both men and women patients with bipolar disorder in remission have sexual dysfunctions. Our results suggest that prolactin levels are not sufficient to demonstrate the sexual dysfunction. To enhance patient compliance it is necessary to focus more on sexual symptoms of patients receiving MS and AP treatment

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Synthesis of N-, S-, O-substituted quinone dyes and their dyeability on polyester fibers

The aim of this study was synthesis of substituted naphthoquinone derivatives and testing of their dyeability on polyester fibers. There are few studies concerned with dyeing properties of heteroatom-substituted-1,4-naphthoquinone compounds in the literature. A series of N-, S-, O-substituted-1,4-naphthoquinone compounds were synthesized via vinylic substitution. Their structures were determined by infrared spectrometry, H-1 and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra of the dyes were examined in different solvents. The dyes were applied to polyester fibers and dyeing properties were investigated. The rubbing fastness, wash fastness and optical properties of the synthesized compounds also were measured. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Yield and nutrient status of wheat plant (T. aestivum) influenced by municipal wastewater irrigation

The aim of this study was to test if wastewater irrigation can increase fertilizer use efficiency and improve soil fertility without affecting the quality of soils and plants. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation municipal wastewater (MWW) on macro and micro nutrient content of soil, yield and mineral contents of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The studies were done using Ustorthents soil sampled to a depth of 0-15 cm from agricultural fields in Erzurum province (39 degrees 55'N, 41 degrees 61'E) in Turkey. Pot experiment was designed based on the randomized complete block with five MWW ratio of 100, 75, 50, 25 and 0% (diluted with irrigation water) and five replicates. Plants were harvested 90 d after planting. Municipal wastewater irrigation affected significantly soil chemical properties especially in rhizosphere soil and plant nutrient contents after one growing season. Application of MWW increased soil salinity, organic matter, exchangeable Na, K, Ca, Mg, plant available phosphorus and micro elements, and decreased soil pH. Wastewater irrigation treatments also increased the yield as well as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Cd contents of plants. Undesirable side effects such as heavy metal contamination in soil and plant and salinity were not observed with the application of MWW. It can be concluded that MWW can be used confidently in the short term in agricultural land both as fertilizer source and to increase fertilizer use efficiency for economical aspect

In vitro effects of estrogen and progesterone containing drugs on human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase I and II isozymes in women smokers and nonsmokers

Background: Carbonic anhydrases (CAs), a group of metalloenzymes, are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes such as acid–base balance, gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, ureagenesis, electrolyte secretion in various tissues, bone resorption and calcification, and tumorigenicity. In the current study, we aimed to determine and compare possible alterations in the activity of carbonic anhydrase I (CA I) and carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) isozymes by using estrogens and progestagens in female smokers and nonsmokers. Methods: Blood samples from 30 smoker and 30 nonsmoker volunteers were drawn after obtaining informed consent. The blood samples were centrifuged to separate the plasma and erythrocytes. Thereafter, hemolysate was prepared from the red cells. CA I and CA II were purified from human erythrocytes with a simple one-step procedure using Sepharose 4B-l-tyrosine-sulfonamide affinity column. CAI and CA II isozymes were treated with estrogen and progesterone-containing drugs, after which the inhibition or activation of the enzyme was determined. Results: CA I and CA II enzyme activity was observed to be increased in female smokers. The results of this study show that dienogest is the most effective inhibitor for human erythrocytes CA I when compared with micronized progesterone, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, estradiol valerate, and estradiol hemihydrate in both female smokers and nonsmokers. All active ingredients have been shown to have a stronger inhibition in smokers than nonsmokers for CA I activity. Additionally, estradiol valerate and hydroxyprogesterone caproate have stronger inhibition against CA II enzyme activity in women who smoke. Conclusion: The results of the current study provide important information to clinicians about how to consider the possible adverse effects of these drugs which are produced as a result of inhibition of CA I and CA II enzyme. Clinicians should take into consideration the side effects caused by CA I and CA II enzyme inhibition when prescribing these drugs in the treatment of different clinical conditions, especially in women who smoke

Synthesis and carbonic anhydrase inhibitory properties of new spiroindoline-substituted sulphonamide compounds

New spiroindoline-substituted sulphonamide compounds were synthesised and their inhibitory effects on the activity of purified human carbonic anhydrase I and II were evaluated. Human carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes (hCA-I and hCA-II) were purified from erythrocyte cells by affinity chromatography. The inhibitory effects of the 14 synthesised sulphonamides (6a-n) on esterase activities of these isoenzymes were studied in vitro. In relation to these activities, the inhibition equilibrium constants (K-i) were determined. The results showed that all the synthesised compounds inhibited the carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoenzyme activity. Among them, 6b was found to be the most active (K-i: 0.042 mu M) for hCA I and 6a (K-i: 0.151 mu M) for hCA II

Synthesis and evaluation of N-heteroarylsubstituted triazolosulfonamides as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

A new series of N-heteroarylsubstituted triazolosulfonamide compounds were synthesized and their inhibitory effects on the activity of purified human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) I and II were evaluated. Compounds (3 a-k) were prepared by propargylation of N-heteroaryl compounds. Compound 5 was obtained from sulfanilamide and sodium nitrite followed by addition of sodium azide. The products (6 a-k) were synthesized from compounds 3 and 5. The results showed that all the synthesized compounds were inhibited the CA isoenzymes activity. Figure 6a (IC50 = 0.52 mu M for hCA I and 0.34 mu M for hCA II) has the most inhibitory effect among the synthesized compounds

Single layer microbolometer detector pixel using ZnO material

This paper presents the development of a single layer microbolometer pixel fabricated using only ZnO material coated with atomic layer deposition. Due to the stress-free nature and high temperature coefficient of resistance of the ALD coated ZnO material, it can be used both as structural and active layers in microbolometer detectors. The design, simulations, and the fabrication optimization of 35. m single layer ZnO microbolometers are shown in this study. The designed pixel has a thermal conductance of 3.4x10(-7) W/K and a thermal time constant of 1.34 ms while it has a maximum displacement of 0.43 mu m under 1000g acceleration. This structure can be used to decrease the design complexities and fabrication costs and increase the yield of the detectors making them possible to be used in low-cost applications

Realization of Single Layer Microbolometer Detector Pixel Using ZnO Material

This paper presents the realization of a single layer microbolometer pixel fabricated using only ZnO material coated with atomic layer deposition. Due to the stress-free nature and high temperature coefficient of resistance of the ALD coated ZnO material, it can be used both as structural and active layers in microbolometer detectors. The design, simulations, and the fabrication optimization of two types of single layer ZnO microbolometer having pixel pitch of 35 mu m are shown in this study. The designed pixels have thermal conductances of 58 nW/K and 476 nW/K while their thermal time constant values are 1.62 ms and 0.24 ms. The temperature coefficient of resistance and 1/f corner frequency of fabricated resistors are measured to be -10 %/K and 302.5 Hz respectively. The absorption coefficients of both pixels are measured to be around 40 % in 8-12 mu m wavelength range. The fabricated pixels are the first examples of successfully obtained single layer ZnO microbolometer pixels in literature and the proposed structures can be used to decrease the design complexities and fabrication costs and increase the yield of the detectors making them possible to be used in low-cost applications

Does activity held on World Asthma Day have an impact on the asthma knowledge and awareness of family physicians?

OBJECTIVE: Annually, certain activities are performed on World Asthma Day (WAD) for the awareness of both patients and physicians about asthma. The study aimed to observe the effects of asthma education on the skills and knowledge of family physicians on WAD, which basically includes updated information of the international asthma guideline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our quasi-experimental study was started on May 3, 2016, WAD. Education was provided by the Global Initiative for Asthma, 2016. A questionnaire including 25 questions was applied for family physicians before and 6 months after the education. RESULTS: In the investigation of 32 family physicians, 62.5% were women, with 32.6 ± 26.0 months in family physician practice. 59.4% of the family physicians had received education about asthma in their postgraduate period. Twenty-five percent of the participants were using asthma guidelines in their daily practice. In pre- and posteducation, the percentage of accuracy in the tests was 58.4%–77.6% among specialists and 62.3%–75.9% among trainees of family physicians. The percentage levels of accuracy developed in the questions of focusing asthma treatment and correct inhaler medication use after the education program were 62.5%–93.8% (P = 0.002) and 56.2%–90.6% (P = 0.007), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that family physicians did not have a tendency to use guidelines for asthma diagnosis and treatment. With the aid of the education program, their attitude changed positively. We believe that family asthma physicians should also be trained in “WAD” activities