The Economic Impact of Financial Liberalization in Turkey: Channels of Banking Sector and Foreign Direct Investment

It is obvious that liberalization affects countries either negatively or positively. In order to receive benefits from it, it should be controlled efficiently. Therefore, this research examines economic impact of financial liberalization in Turkey through the channels of Banking sector and FDI. As, Turkey liberalized at 1980, the economy enhanced compared to the earlier years. However, there were some financial shocks due to inadequate extraversion and financial fragility that is investigated in this research. Banks is the driving factor of the economy according to the study due to positive interest rates led them the strongest link in the financial sector. FDI affects economy positively with providing employment, know-how and technology. In the last decade, Turkey received huge inflows but the economic growth could not be directly correlated with it. Overall, findings suggests that, there is a positive correlation with liberalization and economic growth if liberalization controlled effectively

The Incidence and Management of Pleural Injuries Occurring during Open Nephrectomy

Objective. To evaluate the incidence, management, and risk factors of pleural injuries occurring during open nephrectomy. Methods. Between June 2004/and June 2008, 165 patients (167 renal units) underwent open simple (n = 37, 22.2%), partial (n = 39, 23.4%) or radical (n = 91, 54.5%) nephrectomy in our institution. Results. Flank, Chevron, and abdominal midline incisions were used in 148(88.6%), 17(10.2%), and in 2(1.2%) surgical procedures, respectively. Ribs were excised in 109(65.3%) procedures (11th rib, 10th-11th ribs, and 11th-12th ribs). Intraoperative pleural injuries were detected in 20(12%) procedures, 16(80%) were treated successfully with simple evacuation technique, and 4 required chest tube insertion. Age, sex, surgery type, incision type, and surgery site were not associated with pleural injury occurrence (P > .05). Rib resection was the only parameter associated with pleural injury occurrence. Conclusion. Pleural injuries occur in 12% of open nephrectomy procedures, and 80% can be repaired successfully. Few of them (2.4%) need chest tube insertion. Performing rib resection is a significant risk factor for pleural injury occurrence during nephrectomies

Czynnik wzrostu fibroblastów 21 i jego związek z wrażliwością na insulinę u krewnych pierwszego stopnia chorych na cukrzycę typu 2

  Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF 21) has been suggested as a predictor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Material and methods: We aimed to determine FGF 21 levels in normoglycaemic (Group 1) and prediabetic (Group 2) first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with T2DM in comparison with normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (Group 3). Results: There was a significant difference between Group 1, 2, and 3 with respect to plasma FGF 21 concentrations (143.3 ± 93.8, 221.9 ± ± 171.7 and 121.2 ± 119.8 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.01). FGF 21 levels were significantly increased in prediabetic FDR of patients with T2DM compared to normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (p = 0.02). FGF 21 levels did not differ between normoglycaemic FDR of patients with T2DM and normoglycaemic subjects without a history of T2DM in their FDR (p > 0.05). In the whole group, FGF 21 correlated positively with age (r = 0.31, p = 0.003), BMI (r = 0.38, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.38, p = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.26, p = 0.02), fasting blood glucose (r = 0.24, p = 0.02), HOMA-IR (r = 0.23, p = 0.03), AUC glucose (r = 0.35, p = 0.001), and AUC insulin (r = 0.32, p = 0.003) and negatively with HDL cholesterol (r = –0.24, p = 0.02) and Matsuda ISI (r = –0.33, p = 0.002). In the regression analysis, BMI was the most predictive factor for FGF 21 levels (beta = 0.41, r2 = 0.17, p < 0.001). Conclusions: We showed that FGF 21 concentrations are increased in prediabetic FDR of patients with T2DM and that there is a significant association between FGF 21 and obesity and insulin sensitivity. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (3): 260–264)    Wstęp: Sugerowano, że stężenie czynnika wzrostu fibroblastów 21 (FGF 21) jest czynnikiem predykcyjnym rozwoju cukrzycy typu 2 (T2DM). Materiał i metody: Celem badania było ustalenie stężenia FGF 21 u osób z normoglikemią (grupa 1) i ze stanem przedcukrzycowym (grupa 2) będących krewnymi pierwszego stopnia (FDR) chorych na T2DM w porównaniu z osobami z normoglikemią z ujemnym wywiadem rodzinnym w kierunku T2DM (grupa 3). Wyniki: Stwierdzono istotne różnice między grupami 1, 2 i 3 pod względem stężenia FGF 21 w osoczu (odpowiednio 143,3 ± 93,8; 221,9 ± 171,7 i 121,2 ± 119,8 pg/ml; p = 0,01). Stężenia FGF 21 były istotnie wyższe w grupie krewnych pierwszego stopnia chorych na T2DM ze stanem przedcukrzycowym niż u osób z normoglikemią bez dodatniego wywiadu rodzinnego w kierunku T2DM (p = 0,02). Stężenia FGF 21 nie różniły się istotnie między krewnymi pierwszego stopnia chorych na T2DM z normoglikemią a osobami z normoglikemią bez T2DM u krewnych pierwszego stopnia (p > 0,05). W całej badanej grupie stwierdzono dodatnią korelację między stężeniem FGF 21 a wiekiem (r = 0,31; p = 0,003), BMI (r = 0,38; p < 0,001), skurczowym ciśnieniem tętniczym (r = 0,38; p = 0,001), rozkurczowym ciśnieniem tętniczym (r = 0,26; p = 0,02), glikemią na czczo (r = 0,24; p = 0,02), wskaźnikiem HOMA-IR (r = 0,23; p = 0,03), AUC glukozy (r = 0,35; p = 0,001), AUC insuliny (r = 0,32; p = 0,003) oraz ujemną korelację ze stężeniem cholesterolu frakcji HDL (r = –0,24; p = 0,02) i wskaźnikiem ISI według Matsudy (r = –0,33; p = 0,002). W analizie regresji najsilniejszym czynnikiem prognostycznym stężenia FGF 21 był wskaźnik BMI (beta = 0,41; r2 = 0,17; p < 0,001). Wnioski: Podsumowując, autorzy wykazali, że stężenia FGF 21 są zwiększone u krewnych pierwszego stopnia chorych na T2DM ze stanem przedcukrzycowym i że istnieje silny związek między stężeniem FGF 21 a otyłością i wrażliwością na insulinę. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (3): 260–264)

Detecting the interferences in adrenocorticotropic hormone measurement - three cases reinforcing the efficiency of the complementary clinical and laboratory audit

Highlights Comparing test results to clinical data enhances the identification of interferences Misinterpretation of ACTH as a result of interference may lead to unnecessary testing Despite the interference, ACTH concentration can be in the reference interval Accurate measurement of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is crucial in the evaluation of pituitary and adrenal disorders. Although great progress has been achieved in ACTH measurement with immunometric assays, interference may occur and adversely affect the clinical management. The report contributes to compiling the evidence on the clinical challenges with the management of the interferences in the ACTH measurement by presenting three cases: two with clinically overt hypercortisolism and discrepant ACTH concentrations within the reference interval; the third case describes the falsely elevated ACTH in a patient with secondary adrenal insufficiency. In all patients, the results obtained with the two immunometric platforms, chemiluminescence (CLIA) immunoassay (Siemens, Immulite) and electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) immunoassay (Roche, Cobas), were discordant. Serial dilution of plasma samples revealed nonlinearity. After polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation recoveries were less than 22%, 26%, and 3%, respectively, supporting interference. Moreover, a decrease in ACTH concentration after incubation in a heterophile antibody-blocking tube was observed in the second case. In the first case, misinterpretation of ACTH led to inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS), whereas timely detection of assay interference prevented further investigations in other cases. Increasing awareness regarding ACTH interference and comprehensive approach in evaluation could allow timely detection, helping to prevent unnecessary testing and perplexing clinical outcomes

Exendin-4 Improves Glycemic Control, Ameliorates Brain and Pancreatic Pathologies, and Extends Survival in a Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to find an effective treatment for the genetic form of diabetes that is present in some Huntington's disease patients and in Huntington's disease mouse models. Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion within the huntingtin protein. Huntington's disease patients exhibit neuronal dysfunction/degeneration, chorea, and progressive weight loss. Additionally, they suffer from abnormalities in energy metabolism affecting both the brain and periphery. Similarly to Huntington's disease patients, mice expressing the mutated human huntingtin protein also exhibit neurodegenerative changes, motor dysfunction, perturbed energy metabolism, and elevated blood glucose levels

Neurales tissue engineering zur Unterstützung anatomischer und funktioneller Wiederherstellung nach akuter experimenteller Rückenmarksläsion der adulten Ratte

Injuries to the spinal cord induce distinct changes at the lesion site. Over recent years, it has been shown that the hostile environment of the reactive, lesioned central nervous system inhibits axonal regrowth. This is in stark contrast to the lesioned peripheral nervous system which has a strong capacity for axon regeneration and functional recovery. In the present thesis, a tissue engineering strategy to promote orientated axonal regrowth and functional tissue repair has been investigated in an experimental animal model of acute spinal cord injury. After undergoing a mid-cervical (C4) dorsal laminectomy, adult female Lewis rats were subjected to a unilateral funiculotomy (involving a tissue resection of 1 - 2 mm). A novel, orientated, type I collagen matrix (either seeded or non-seeded with syngeneic olfactory ensheathing cells, OEC) was implanted into the lesion gap and the function of the ipsilateral fore-paw was monitored. At the end-point survival time of 5 months, animals were perfused and the lesion site dissected and processed for immunohistochemistry to demonstrate host astrocystic, axonal and dendritic responses using antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), growth associated protein-43 (Gap-43/B50), 200kDa phosphorylated neurofilament (NF200) and microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP-2). The type I collagen matrix was found to be biocompatible and acted as a guidance system, supporting the longitudinally orientated regeneration of host axon Integration of the OEC-seeded matrix was most successful, with both host astrocytic and axonal profiles crossing the graft-host interface and penetrating the implant to varying degrees. Surprisingly, host dendrites were also found to penetrate the implanted matrices, a so-far undescribed phenomenon. Furthermore, the interface between the matrix and dura mater was found to be a region of substantial tissue regrowth and orientated axon regeneration. Although implanted scaffolds supported improved motor performance of the ipsilateral fore-paw, there was no clear correlation between the extent of axon regeneration and the degree of functional recovery. It is likely, therefore, that implanted devices may exert hitherto unexpected beneficial effects on the lesioned central nervous system