Numerical study of AC loss of two-layer HTS power transmission cables composed of coated conductors with a ferromagnetic substrate

WOS: 000412571400004This work includes the simulation of hysteretic AC losses in two-layer HTS power transmission cables made of second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes with a ferromagnetic substrate subject to an oscillating AC transport current, calling upon the COMSOL Multiphysics finite-element software program and exploiting an AC/DC module. How the AC transport loss is influenced by the arrangement of tapes, as well as the optimized design of superconducting power cables based on YBCO-coated conductors, are investigated. According to the radial arrangement of the tapes, four different orientations of ferromagnetic substrate are considered: 1) out-in (substrate of inner/outer layer facing outward/inward), 2) in-out (substrate of inner/outer layer facing inward/outward), 3) in-in (substrates of both inner and outer layers facing inward), and 4) out-out (substrates of both inner and outer layers facing outward). We found that the AC loss of the superconducting layer for the out-in arrangement is the lowest. We also compare our calculations with experimental results.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [110T876]This work was fully supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under grant number 110T876

The investigation of association between IL-1Ra and ACE I/D polymorphisms in carpal tunnel syndrome

WOS: 000423046100052PubMed ID: 28370589BackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurologic impairment caused by injury on the median nerve in the wrist, characterized by pain and loss of sensory. CTS usually occurs through three factors, such as a mechanical pressure on median nerve, immunologic changes, and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphisms on the susceptibility of patients to the CTS. MethodsOne hundred fifty-eight patients with CTS and 151 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Each patient was analyzed according to diseases symptoms, such as gender, a positive Tinel's sign, a positive Phalen maneuver, disease sides, EMG findings, and clinical stage. We applied the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the polymorphisms of IL-1Ra and ACE I/D. ResultsThe statistically significant relation was not found between IL-1Ra, ACE I/D polymorphisms and CTS (respectively, P>.05; P>.05, OR: 1.51, CI: 0.82-1.61). Additionally, in the result of the statistical analysis compared with gene polymorphisms and clinical characteristics, we did not find any correlation (P>.05). ConclusionsOur findings showed that there are no associations of IL-1Ra and ACE I/D polymorphisms with susceptibility of a person for the development of CTS. So, it means that these polymorphisms do not create a risk for the development of CTS. Further studies with larger populations will be required to confirm these findings in different study populations

Relationship between major depressive disorder and ACE gene I/D polymorphism in a Turkish population

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex disease and a significant health problem that is prevalent across the world. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has an important role in renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and converts inactive angiotensin I to a potent vasopressor and aldosterone-stimulating peptide angiotensin II. Levels of ACE in plasma vary according to the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of ACE gene. Objective The aim of the current study was to examine the influence ACE gene I/D variations on the risk of MDD. Methods In the present case-control study, we analyzed ACE I/D polymorphism in 346 MDD patients and 210 healthy subjects using polymerase chain reaction technique. Results Comparing the two groups, no significant difference was observed with regard to either genotype distributions or allele frequencies of the I/D polymorphism of ACE gene. Discussion Our findings suggest that the ACE I/D polymorphism is not associated with MDD in Turkish case-control study. Further studies are still needed

Clinical significance of NCOA5 gene rs2903908 polymorphism in Behçet`s disease

Behçet’s disease (BD) is an autoimmune multisystemic disease. The precise etiology of BD is not fully understood; however, it is thought that interactions between genetic and environmental factors play an essential role in its pathogenesis. The nuclear receptor coactivator-5 (NCOA5) gene encodes a coregulator for nuclear receptor sub- family 1 group D member 2 (NR1D2) and estrogen receptor 1 and 2 (ESR1 and ESR2). Also, the NCOA5 gene insufficiency leads to an elevated expression of IL-6, and increased levels of IL-6 were found to be related to the pathogenesis of BD. In this study, we aimed to clarify the impact of the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism on susceptibility and clinical findings of BD. This study included 671 participants (300 BD patients and 371 healthy controls). The analyses of NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism was performed by using the TaqMan allelic discrim- ination assay. The frequency of TT genotype of the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism was found significantly higher in BD patients compared to those in healthy controls (p=0.016, OR=1.46, 95 % CI=1.08–1.99). Also, the frequencies of CT genotype was observed significantly higher in BD patients with genital ulceration and uveitis than without genital ulceration and uveitis (p=0.002 and p=0.005, respectively). The most significant association was found between C allele frequencies of BD patients with and without uveitis (p=0.0001). Our study represents e first time that the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism seemed to be linked to BD susceptibility and clinical findings

Musculoskeletal System Symptoms in Goiter

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations in patients with thyroid dysfunction. Methods: One hundred and twenty-three patients (100 female, 23 male) who visited the nuclear medicine department for thyroid gland scintigraphy were included in our study. According to thyroid hormone levels, patients were allocated into five categories: hyperthyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroidism, and hypothyroidism. Before neurological and musculoskeletal examinations, a standardized symptom questionnaire was completed including questions about sensory symptoms, muscle weakness, restricted joint mobility, musculoskeletal pain. Neurological examination, range of motion of joints, effusion or swelling of joints was assessed. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis was done by the clinical and radiological characteristics. The diagnosis of FMS was made according to criteria of American College of Rheumatology. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a T-score ≤ -2.5 was classified as osteoporosis, whereas a T-score between -2.5 and -1.0 was classified as osteopenia. Thyroid status was determined by serum TSH levels. Results: Eighty-one percent of the patients were female (100) and 19% were male (23). Mean age of female patients was 49.99±15.27 years (range 20-87) and mean age of male patients was 61.8±12.33 years (range 34-88). When divided according to thyroid status, 21.1% (n=26) had hyperthyroidism, 21.1% (n=26) had subclinical hyperthyroidism, 49.6% (n=61) were euthyroid, 4.9% (n=6) had subclinical hypothyroidism and 3.3% (n=4) were hypothyroid. None of 59% of patients had any musculoskeletal diagnosis. Osteoporosis was the most common problem, affecting 23.7% of patients Conclusion: The presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in patients with goiter should be considered and investigated. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(2.000): 261-269

A Novel Method for Numerical Analysis of Microwave Surface Resistance of Type-II Superconductors

WOS: 000370948300001Microwave surface resistance of type-II superconductors is investigated via the finite-element method by calculating the electromagnetic field distribution within a superconductor. The software allows changing the geometrical parameters in a facile way. Using a finite-element procedure and the approximation by Bonura et al. [Eur. Phys. J. B 52 (4), 459 (2006); Eur. Phys. J. B 53 (3), 315 (2006)], it is shown that the microwave surface resistance of type-II superconductors can be numerically calculated in the framework of the critical-state model.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [111T715]This work was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under Grant 111T715. This paper was recommended by Editor-in-Chief B. Plourde

Romatoid Artritte Postural Denge ve Dusme Riski

Amac: Bu calismanin amaci Romatoid Artritin denge ve dusme riski uzerine olan etkilerini degerlendirmektir. Gerec ve yontem: Calismaya toplam 70 olgu dahil edildi; bireylerin 35&#146;i Romatoid artrit (11 erkek, 24 kadin), 35&#146;i ise saglikli gonullulerden (16 erkek, 19 kadin) olusmakta idi. Hastalar ve saglikli gonulluler denge ve dusme riski acisindan Biodekx Denge Sistemi (BDS) ile degerlendirildi. Bulgular: Romatoid Artritli hastalarin yas ortalamasi 46.47&#177;9.47 yil, kontrol grubunun ise 42.97&#177;9.12 yil idi. Gruplar yas ve vucut kitle indeksi (VKI) acisindan degerlendirildiginde istatistiksel olarak anlamli fark saptanmadi (sirasiyla, p=0.129, p=0.207). Gruplar Genel Stabilite Indeksi (GSI) ve Antero-Posterior Stabilite Indeksi(APSI) acisindan degerlendirildiginde istatistiksel olarak anlamli fark tespit edildi (sirasiyla, p<0.001 ve p=0.004). Benzer sekilde, Medio-Lateral Stabilite Indeksi (MLSI) ve Dusme Riski Indeksi (DRI) acisindan degerlendirildiginde de istatistiksel olarak anlamli fark saptandi (sirasiyla, p<0.001 ve p<0.001). Sonuc: Bu sonuclara gore, calismamizda Romatoid Artritin denge bozuklugu ve dusme riski ile iliskili oldugu ortaya konulmustur. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(1.000): 72-77

Evaluation of Postural Stability and Fall Risk in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influences of Ankylosing spondylitis on postural balance and the risk of falls. Methods: A total of 73 sobjects were recruited for the study, including 36 with AS (17 men, 19 women) and 37 healthy controls (19 men, 18 women). Patients were evaluated in terms of balance and risk of falls. Balance and risk of falls was assessed with the Biodex Stability System. Results: The mean age, gender and body mass index of the participants did not differ significantly between (p=0.308, p=0.724, p=0.766, respectively). When groups were evaluated in terms of postural stability indexes Overall Stability Index (OSI), Antero-Posteior Stability Index (APSI) and Medio-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) had no statistically significant difference (p=0.190, p=0.437 ve p=0.144), respectively). Fall Risk Index (FRI) evaluations showed that as patients&#146; test scores were higher than control group (p=0.001). (Table 1). Conclusions: In this study, we present numerical data that suggests that AS are associated with risk of falling. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(1.000): 86-91

Angiotensin converting enzyme and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene variations in fibromyalgia syndrome

WOS: 000355043100010PubMed ID: 25824380Objective: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a common disease characterized by generalized body pain, sensitivity in certain physical areas (sensitive points), lowered pain threshold, sleep disorder, and fatigue. The study aimed to determine the effects ACE I/D and MTHFR C677T gene polymorphisms in Turkish patients with FM and evaluate if there was an association with clinical features. Methods: This study included 200 FM patients and 190 healthy controls recruited from the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Gaziosmanpasa University in Tokat, Turkey. ACE I/D polymorphism genotypes were determined by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by specific primers. The MTHFR C677T mutation was analyzed by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. Results: We found a statistically significant relation between ACE polymorphism and FM (p 0.05, OR: 1.20,95% CI: 0.82-1.78), but dry eye and feeling of stiffness which are among the clinical characteristics of FMS were significantly related with MTHFR C677T mutation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings showed that there are associations of ACE I/D polymorphism with susceptibility of a person for development of fibromyalgia syndrome. Also, it is determined an association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and feeling of stiffness and dry eye which are among the clinical characteristics of FM. Our study is the first report of ACE I/D and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms in fibromyalgia syndrome. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved