Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Turkey

Nineteen cases of suspected Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever reported from Turkey

EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) : Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial

More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369

Coexistence of perpendicular and in-plane exchange bias using a single ferromagnetic layer in Pt/Co/Cr/CoO thin film

We studied the temperature dependence of magnetization and exchange bias in a Pt/Co/Cr/CoO multilayer thin film. These magnetic multilayers are of particular interest since the easy axis of ultra-thin Co is strongly affected by the interfacial anisotropies of neighbouring Pt and Cr layers. The room temperature measurements show that the sample has a magnetic easy axis only in the film plane. However, upon cooling the sample, the easy axis of the magnetization departs from its initial orientation and typical easy-axis hysteresis loops are obtained for both in-plane and perpendicular directions. In accordance with this change in the magnetization direction at lower temperatures, the sample shows an unexpected coexistence of perpendicular and in-plane exchange bias below the antiferromagnetic transition of CoO. The temperature dependence of the exchange bias field for both directions is also significantly different. Along the film plane, the exchange bias field monotonically decreases and disappears at 220 K with increasing temperature. For the perpendicular direction, however, the exchange bias field increases and reaches a maximum value at 80 K. Then it decreases and disappears at 150 K with further increasing temperature. The mechanisms behind this anomalous temperature dependence of the exchange bias as well as the step-like behaviour in the hysteresis curves are discussed. Copyright (C) EPLA, 201

Investigation of Sm -> Ca substitution in Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO high temperature superconductor by low field AC magnetic susceptibility

Yegen, Dincer/0000-0003-3180-600X; Terzioglu, Cabir/0000-0002-3944-0367WOS: 000247402300064We have investigated the effect of Sm substitution in Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO system by performing AC susceptibility (chi = chi' + i chi ''), XRD (X Ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) measurements. The Sm -> Ca substitution (Bi(1.)6Pb(0.4)Sr(2)Ca(2-x)Sm(x)Cu(3)O(y)) was carried out by conventional solid-state reaction method. The susceptibility measurements were carried out at different values of the AC field amplitudes. The imaginary part of susceptibility is used to estimate the intergranular critical current density by means of the Bean's model. The intergranular critical current density (J(c)) of pure sample is found to be about 68 A/cm(2) at 95 K. The intergranular J(c) is seen to decrease with increasing Sm substitution. XRD pattern and SEM micrographs are given to provide information about Bi-2223 phase and grain size respectively

Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels in Street Dust Samples from Denizli, Turkey, and Analysis by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

In this study, toxic heavy metal contamination in dust samples obtained from different streets in Denizli, Turkey, was monitored. The areas selected include heavy, moderate, and normal traffic flow, building construction sites and other industrial activities near roads, car parks, school gardens, health centers, and hospitals. The metals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration ranges were Cu at 20.4-147.4 mu g g(-1), Cr at 9.9-75.0 mu g g(-1), Ni at 22.8-86.2 mu g g(-1), Pb at 14.4-145.3 mu g g(-1), and Mn at 52.3-158.3 mu g g(-1). The Cd content for all dust samples was below 0.1 mu g g(-1). According to the geoaccumulation index (I-geo) classification, Cr and Mn were present at the lower level (0<I-geo <= 1) and Pb, Cu, and Ni at moderate level (1<I-geo <= 2). This is the fist time that the concentrations and the effect of heavy metals on the environment, in particular, in street dust of Denizli, Turkey, have been investigated

Diagnostic and early prognostic value of serum CRP and LDH levels in patients with possible COVID-19 at the first admission

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is the infection caused by the new coronavirus. Specific treatment for COVID-19 has not been established, yet. It is important to determine the disease severity of the patients at the first admission. Therefore, the exploration of biomarkers is deemed necessary. We aimed to assess the diagnostic and early prognostic value of CRP and LDH levels in possible COVID-19 patients presenting with a severe clinical picture. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated the correlations of relevant routine laboratory test results with disease severity in COVID-19 patients admitted to our infectious diseases clinic. Patients were divided into severe and non-severe disease groups based on clinical findings, oxygen saturation levels in the arterial blood, biochemical test results, and radiological findings. Differences in the findings between the two disease severity groups were examined to determine potential biomarkers. RESULTS: Median age and the CRP and LDH levels in the severe disease group were statistically significantly higher compared to the nonsevere group (p &lt; 0.0001). No other parameters statistically significant differences have been observed between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CRP and LDH levels were positively correlated with lung lesions in early-stage COVID-19, potentially reflecting disease severity. Because LDH and CRP levels can potentially reflect the pulmonary function, they can be potential predictors of COVID-19- related respiratory failure. For avoiding poor prognosis; LDH and CRP should be considered as potential predictors for identifying the need for thoracic CT scans, close monitoring of pulmonary function, and aggressive supportive therapy early in the course of COVID-19

The effects of fluoride on thyroid hormones in rabbits

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Evaluation of waste in seismic metamaterial applications

Within the scope of this study, a simulation study was carried out in order to prove the usability of waste in seismic metamaterial studies. In the study, a square array field application was preferred, and a 3-layer cylindrical pile design was used. In addition, direct contact of waste with soil and direct air is prevented. Within the scope of the study, polypropylene, which is frequently contained in medical products, concrete as a containment layer, and lime materials to prevent leakage of hazardous waste were used as materials. In addition, a design has been made within the soil structure as the ground structure. As a result of the study, it was determined that transmission losses occur in low frequency regions such as 3-10 Hz values due to obtaining partial band gaps. In addition, when looking at the propagation of the vibration waves in the field plane depending on the time, it is seen that the waves are significantly reduced, and the results are promising