Evaluation of newborns with vitamin D deficiency: A single-center experience

Aim: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics (primarily phosphorus, calcium (Ca), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels of newborns with low 25-OHD levels. Methods: In this retrospective study, babies whose 25-OHD levels were determined during hospitalization were evaluated. The newborns were classified as stated by their serum 25-OHD levels as follows: severely deficient, <5 ng/mL (group 1); deficient, 5–20 ng/mL (group 2); and insufficient, 20 to 30 ng/mL (group 3). In addition to the newborns' serum 25-OHD levels, their serum Ca, phosphorus, parathormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase levels and their mothers' 25-OHD levels were also measured. Results: A total of 568 newborns were included. Serum 25-OHD level was severely deficient in 112 patients (19.7%). The mothers of the babies in group 1 were younger than those of the babies in the other groups. First PTH level (F3,1, p = 0.04) and maternal ALP level were highest in group 1. In all the groups, the maternal 25-OHD level was <30 ng/mL. Vitamin D supplementation rate during pregnancy was found to be significantly lower in the severely deficient and deficient groups than in the insufficient group (F1,84, p = 0.01). Conclusion: 25-OHD deficiency continues to be a problem among pregnant women and their babies in Turkey despite the introduction of a supplementation program. This study emphasizes the need to improve maternal 25-OHD status to support maternal and infant health. &nbsp

The impact of therapeutic hypothermia on peripheral blood cell in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

The effect of hypothermia treatment on white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values as an indicator of inflammation was evaluated in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The study was performed that the before-therapeutic hypothermia (TH) and after-TH WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and NLR, LMR and PLR values of the complete blood cell count were retrospectively evaluated. The results of the patient group were compared with the results of healthy newborns. A total of 78 patients who underwent TH were evaluated in our study. Mean values before and after TH were NLR3.8/2.7, LMR 5.6/8.6, and PLR 60.3/67.1 respectively. A statistical significance was present for NLR values before and after TH in those with seizure in our study (4.15±2.95/3.01±2.54) but no statistical significance was found for LMR or PLR. In neonates with HIE, effect of TH on complete blood cell count and inflammatory mechanisms (mediated neutrophil and lymphocyte) may be minimal

Application of textile waste derived biochars onto cotton fabric for improved performance and functional properties

Akduman, Cigdem/0000-0002-6379-6697; Duman Tac, Gozde/0000-0002-9427-8235WOS: 000510823700016This study investigated the use of textile waste based biochars as fabric additives to improve the clothing performance and impart functional properties to textile materials. For this purpose, cotton, cotton/ polyester and acrylic textile wastes were carbonized at low temperature and derived biochars were applied onto cotton fabrics by conventional printing method Moisture transfer, drying properties, water vapor and air permeability and odor adsorption capability of biochar printed fabrics were investigated by using of several methods. Biochar finishing provided a slight hydrophobic effect on the printed face of the cotton fabrics; therefore, a double-face textile structure could be obtained in terms of hydrophilic/ hydrophobic behavior. With this feature, it was revealed that the addition of biochars improved the moisture transfer, accelerated the drying and increased the water vapor permeability. in addition, the obtained data showed that cotton/polyester fabric derived biochar printed fabrics had odor masking properties. As a result, it was shown that odor masking functional textile materials with high thermo-physiological comfort can be produced by the recycling of textile wastes into biochar and application onto textile fabrics. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUB_ITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [216M406]; Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination UnitEge University [18-B_IL-007]The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research received through the project (No: 216M406) of the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUB_ITAK); and the project (18-B_IL-007) of Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit

Effects of filler material on the characteristics of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol/Nafion nanofibrous membranes

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol/Nafion nanofibrous composite membranes were produced to investigate their possible application as a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) in direct methanol fuel cells. Electrospinning method was used for nanofibrous membrane production, in which the mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Nafion solutions was directly electrospun. Produced nanofibers were subjected to physical stabilization, filler application, and sulfonating to produce composite nanofibrous membranes. PVA and Nafion polymers were used also as filler materials. The properties of resultant composite membranes were compared in terms of water swelling, weight loss in water and methanol solution, thermal stability, morphology, proton conductivity, and methanol permeability. Proton conductivity of the membranes depending on the humidity was also investigated. TGA analysis showed that the membranes had adequate thermal properties regardless of the filler material. The nanofibrous structure was shown to be preserved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after treatment with water and methanol solution. It was shown that PVA/Nafion nanofibers displayed proton conductivity after filling process. The use of PVA as a filler material led to higher proton conductivity at 100 RH%. It was reported that proton conductivity could only be obtained at higher relative humidity values (>80% RH). A lower methanol permeability of PVA-filled membranes was reported. Highlights: PVA/Nafion nanofibrous membranes were produced by electrospinning. PVA and Nafion were also used as pore filling materials. PVA-filled membranes had higher proton conductivity and lower methanol permeability. Proton conductivity could only be obtained at higher RH% values

Maternal serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis in pregnancies complicated by fetal hypoxia

Peker, Nurullah/0000-0002-3285-9990; Yildizhan, Recep/0000-0002-2841-0453; bademkiran, muhammed hanifi/0000-0002-9350-582X; bagli, ihsan/0000-0002-3195-9164WOS: 000502210400001PubMed: 31826686We aimed to evaluate maternal serum thiol/disulphide homeostasis in pregnancies complicated by fetal distress (FD). A total of 100 patients beyond the 34th week of pregnancy were included in this study, and they were divided into two groups. the study group included 50 patients who had been diagnosed with FD; the control group was composed of 50 patients who had shown no signs of FD and who had undergone an elective (previous) caesarean section (CS). the native thiol, total thiol and native thiol/total thiol (%) concentrations were lower in Group 1 patients than Group 2 patients (p < .001). the disulphide, disulphide/native thiol (%) and disulphide/total thiol (%) concentrations were higher in Group 1 patients than Group 2 patients (p < .001). This study suggests that maternal thiol/disulphide homeostasis is impaired in pregnancies complicated by FD.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known about this subject? Oxidative stress (OS) has previously been investigated in FD. This study reports for the first time a new novel and automatic measurement method. What do the results of this study add? This study shows that the thiol balance shifts in the direction of disulphide in the cases of FD

Influence of platelet count, platelet mass index, and platelet function on the spontaneous closure of ductus arteriosus in the prematurity

Background: This study aims at evaluating the influence of platelet count, platelet mass index, and platelet function on the spontaneous closure of ductus arteriosus in prematurity. Methods: All preterm babies were divided into two groups, including Group 1 with “open PDA” and Group 2 with “closed PDA”. The variables of platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet mass index, and platelet function were analyzed and compared between two groups of patients to identify the factors that significantly influenced spontaneous closure of ductus arteriosus. Results: Twenty-four patients were in the “open PDA” group, whereas 36 patients were in the “closed PDA” group. Mean GA and BW were 27.6 ± 1.8 (23.1–30.4) and 28 ± 1.6 (23.4–30.6) weeks and 1009 ± 270 (585–1480) g and 1035 ± 298 (505–1500) g in “open PDA” and “closed PDA” groups, respectively (p > 0.05). The incidence of “Collagen-ADP > 130 s” was significantly higher in the “open PDA” group, and the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly lower in the “open PDA” group (p  130 s (OR: 5.7 CI: 1.55–21.3) are two independent factors associated with ductal patency. Conclusion: This is the first study in the English literature providing evidence of the influence of platelet dysfunction on the spontaneous closure of ductus arteriosus in prematurity. Longer collagen-ADP duration is identified as a risk factor of ductal closure

Maternal serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis in pregnancies complicated by fetal hypoxia

We aimed to evaluate maternal serum thiol/disulphide homeostasis in pregnancies complicated by fetal distress (FD). A total of 100 patients beyond the 34th week of pregnancy were included in this study, and they were divided into two groups. The study group included 50 patients who had been diagnosed with FD; the control group was composed of 50 patients who had shown no signs of FD and who had undergone an elective (previous) caesarean section (CS). The native thiol, total thiol and native thiol/total thiol (%) concentrations were lower in Group 1 patients than Group 2 patients (p < .001). The disulphide, disulphide/native thiol (%) and disulphide/total thiol (%) concentrations were higher in Group 1 patients than Group 2 patients (p < .001). This study suggests that maternal thiol/disulphide homeostasis is impaired in pregnancies complicated by FD.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known about this subject? Oxidative stress (OS) has previously been investigated in FD. This study reports for the first time a new novel and automatic measurement method. What do the results of this study add? This study shows that the thiol balance shifts in the direction of disulphide in the cases of FD. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and further research? Thiol balance can be used for the timely diagnosis of FD