In spontaneous intracerebral hematoma patients, prediction of the hematoma expansion risk and mortality risk using radiological and clinical markers and a newly developed scale

Objective: In patients with spontaneous intracerebral hematoma (ICH), early-stage hematoma expansion has been associated with poor prognosis in literature. This study aimed to develop predictive parameter(s) as well as a new scale to define hematoma expansion and short-term prognosis in patients with ICH. Methods: In 46 patients with ICH, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, non-contrast CT (NCCT) markers (hematoma volume on admission and follow-up, hypodensity, intraventricular hemorrhage, blend and island sign, BAT score), and modified Rankin Scale scores were evaluated for predicting the hematoma expansion risk and mortality risk. Furthermore, a newly developed scale called the ‘HEMRICH scale’ was constituted using the GCS score, hematoma volumes, and some NCCT markers. Results: Roc-Curve and Logistic Regression test results revealed that GCS score, initial hematoma volume value, hypodensity, intraventricular haemorrhage, BAT score, and HEMRICH scale score could be the best markers in predicting hematoma expansion risk whereas GCS score, intraventricular haemorrhage, BAT score, hematoma expansion, and HEMRICH scale score could be the best markers in predicting mortality risk (p = 0.01). Moreover, Factor analysis and Reliability test results showed that HEMRICH scale score could predict both hematoma expansion and mortality risks validly (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test value = 0.729) and reliably (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.564). Conclusion: It was concluded that the GCS score, intraventricular haemorrhage, and BAT score could predict both hematoma expansion risk and mortality risk in the early stage in patients with ICH. Furthermore, it was suggested that the newly produced HEMRICH scale could be a valid and reliable scale for predicting both hematoma expansion and mortality risk

Serum copeptin level can be a helpful biomarker in evaluation of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy results

Background: Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) is a well-established diagnostic tool. The sensitivity and specificity of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) MPS to detect significant coronary lesion were 86% and 74%, respectively. The aim of this study was to examine the role of serum copeptin in evaluation of MPS. Methods: Sixty-two consecutive patients underwent both SPECT MPS using 99mTc-sestamibi and transthoracic echocardiography were enrolled prospectively. Age, gender, height, weight, presence of cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. Exercise treadmill test (ETT) with modified Bruce protocol was used to induce coronary ischemia during MPS. While performing MPS, blood samples for serum copeptin level were drawn three times at pre-exercise, at the peak of ETT, and 6 h after ETT, respectively. The patients were enrolled into three groups according to MPS results (normal, equivocal and ischemia). Results: The study included 62 patients (23 with normal, 20 with equivocal, 19 with ischemia on MPS). Pre-, peak-, and post-exercise B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin I values were similar across the groups (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Serum copeptin values for pre- and peak-exercise were similar among all groups (p = 0.883 and p = 0.089). Post-exercise copeptin values of the normal and equivocal groups were similar (p = 0.661, z = –0.438) while that of the ischemia group was significantly higher than both the normal (p < 0.001) and equivocal group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Serum copeptin was found to be increasing significantly in case of ischemia on MPS. It may be used in differentiation of equivocal results from false positive results.

The Relation between Confidence Climate and Stock Returns: The Case of Turkey

5th Istanbul Conference of Economics and Finance -- JUN 06-07, 2016 -- Yildiz Tech Univ, Istanbul, TURKEY -- Istanbul Econ & Finance Assoc, Isik Univ, Galatasaray UnivThis study examines the relations between consumer confidence, reel sector confidence and five different stock indices (aggregate, financial, industrial, service and technological) with VAR models. Michigan University Sentiment Index, VIX volatility index and GFK Germany Consumer Climate Index are also associated into the models to investigate international effects. The results suggest that, there is no causality relation from consumer confidence towards stock returns, however, stock returns found to positively affect consumer confidence. On the other hand, two-way causality exists between reel sector confidence index and stock returns, each one effects the other with certain lag of time. Michigan University Consumer Sentiment Index and VIX volatility index have explanatory power on almost all stock indices of Turkey, but GFK Germany Consumer Climate Index has no effect on any stock returns in all models. This may indicate that, globalization takes part in domestic markets, and rather than Germany, USA confidence climate is more felt in Turkey. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.WOS:00038663010001

Airborne pollen grains of Afyon, Turkey

The airborne pollen grains of Afyon have been studied for a two-year period (1999 - 2000) with a Durham sampler. A total of 14 367 pollen grains belonging to 40 taxa. have been identified and recorded with some unidentified ones. Of them, 6 732 were identified in 1999 and 7 635 in 2000. Of the total pollen grains, 69.67% were arboreal, 26.64% non-arboreal and 3.68% unidentified. The majority of the investigated pollen grains were from Pinus, Gramineae, Cupressaceae, Platanus,, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae,. Quercus, Ailanthus, Moraceae, Juglans, Salix, Cednis and Rosaceae. The highest level of pollen grains was in May

Anticonvulsant activity of resveratrol-loaded liposomes in vivo

WOS: 000406984900002PubMed ID: 28577913Resveratrol (3,5,4'-stilbenetriol), a natural polyphenol produced by various plants, has attracted attention over the past decade because of its multiple beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and chemopreventive, yet, there is limited information about its antiepileptic effects. Moreover, its poor solubility in water and low bioavailability are the challenging issues. In the present study, we aimed to investigate effects of free resveratrol and resveratrol delivered in amphipathic liposomal delivery system, which has a high blood-brain barrier crossing potential, on penicillin-induced epileptic seizure model. For this purpose, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups as saline (Control), liposome (LIP), free resveratrol (RES) and resveratrol + liposome (RES + LIP). Penicillin-induced epileptic activity was recorded for 120 min by electrocorticography. Glutathione S-transferase (GST), Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) assays were performed in brain tissues collected. Our results showed that RES + LIP was the most effective anticonvulsant treatment on penicillin-induced epileptic seizures when compared to control, as RES + LIP immediately decreased the number of spikes per minute. GST and SOD activity, as well as the GSH levels, were significantly increased in the RES + LIP group as compared with the control group. Also, the MDA levels were significantly higher in the RES + LIP compared to RES and control groups. In conclusion, RES + LIP treatment was more effective on the decrease in spike frequency and spike amplitudes than other treatments. Our results suggest that the RES + LIP is more effective than RES on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity.Yeditepe University Research FoundationWe would like to thank to Professor Mustafa Culha of Yeditepe University Department of Genetics and Bioengineering (Istanbul, Turkey) for his courtesy in liposome characterization on Zeta-Sizer. This study was supported by Yeditepe University Research Foundation

Simulink Kullanarak Bir Pnömatik Sistemin Simülasyonu

Pneumatic systems are extensively used in industry process and automation applications. However, instantaneous dynamic variations of these systems have to be analyzed. The aim of this study is to realize simulation of dynamic characteristics of a linear pneumatic actuator system. In addition to this, in case of changing system parameters, it is to investigate the reaction of the pneumatic system. Simulation study is carried out by using the model formed in the MATLAB-Simulink® computer program. The feature of this model is that the model is constituted as blocks representing the real system components.Pnömatik sistemler endüstri proseslerinde ve otomasyon uygulamalarında yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmaktadır. Ancak bu sistemlerin anlık dinamik değişimlerinin analizi yapılması gerekir. Bu çalışmanın amacı doğrusal bir pnömatik hareketlendirici sistemin dinamik özelliklerinin simülasyonunu gerçekleştirmek ve bu sayede sistemin parametre değişimlerine karşı tepkisini araştırmaktır. Simülasyon çalışması MATLAB-Simulink® bilgisayar programında oluşturulan model kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu modelin en önemli özelliği sistem elemanlarının çalışmasına benzer şekilde bloklar halinde oluşturulmuş olmasıdır

Simulation of a Pneumatic System Using Simulink = Simulation of a Pneumatic System Using Simulink

Pneumatic systems are extensively used in industry process and automation applications. However, instantaneous dynamic variations of these systems have to be analyzed. The aim of this study is to realize simulation of dynamic characteristics of a linear pneumatic actuator system. In addition to this, in case of changing system parameters, it is to investigate the reaction of the pneumatic system. Simulation study is carried out by using the model formed in the MATLAB-Simulink® computer program. The feature of this model is that the model is constituted as blocks representing the real system components