Analyzing the economic development-driven ecological deficit in the EU-15 countries: new evidence from PSTR approach

This paper empirically analyzes the non-linear effect of economic activities on ecological balance indicators that estimate the balance between economies' pressure on nature and the biologically productive resource areas affected by human activity and the earth's ecological carrying capacity. In measuring this balance, ecological balance sheet indicators are divided into four sub-components: cropland, fishing grounds, forest area, and grazing land. The sample of the study consists of the EU-15 countries over the period 1995-2016. To render the study robust with respect to econometric issues such as potential endogeneity bias, cross-country heterogeneity, non-linearity, and time instability, the panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) method is adapted. The empirical findings reveal that up to a certain threshold level, economic activities do not affect the ecological balance as nature can compensate for the resulting externalities, but beyond this threshold, waste accumulation and pollution exceed nature's capacity to absorb. Consequently, these findings do not empirically support the EKC hypothesis with an inverted U-shaped curve and suggest that active environmental policies are needed to improve the environment

Mortality Related Risk Factors in High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism in the ICU

Introduction. We sought to identify possible risk factors associated with mortality in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) after intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Patients and Methods. PE patients, diagnosed with computer tomography pulmonary angiography, were included from two ICUs and were categorized into groups: group 1 high-risk patients and group 2 intermediate/low-risk patients. Results. Fifty-six patients were included. Of them, 41 (73.2%) were group 1 and 15 (26.7%) were group 2. When compared to group 2, need for vasopressor therapy (0 vs 68.3%; p18 (OR 42.47 95% CI 1.50–1201.1), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 30.10 95% CI 1.96–463.31), and thrombolytic therapy (OR 0.03 95% CI 0.01–0.98) were found as independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion. In high-risk PE, admission APACHE II score and need for invasive mechanical ventilation may predict death in ICU. Thrombolytic therapy seems to be beneficial in these patients

Is the ecological footprint related to the Kuznets curve a real process or rationalizing the ecological consequences of the affluence? Evidence from PSTR approach

The aim of this paper is to empirically investigate the nonlinear effects of economic growth on ecological footprints as an indicator of environmental degradation. The sample consists of 26 European Union (EU) countries by covering the 1990-2013 period. We employ the recently developed panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model, which can predict the threshold level endogenously. These ecological footprints are divided into those occurring on six major categories of ecologically productive areas, including cropland, grazing land, forest area, fishing grounds, built-up land, and carbon-absorption land. The empirical results indicate that environmental pressure tends to increase with economic development, but then does not decline with further growth for all the ecological footprints except the fishing grounds footprint (FGF). The empirical findings imply that the EKC hypothesis is a problematic phenomenon, at least in the case of the accumulation of stocks of waste, since the relationship between ecological footprint types (excluding the FGF) and economic development does not exhibit the inverted U-shaped pattern associated with the EKC hypothesis

PREDICTORS OF SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

WOS: 000344634300033Aims: We aimed to investigate the predictors of Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in premenopausal women. Background: CIMT was shown to be a strong coronary artery disease predictor in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 2298 participants. The final cohort included 783 pre-menopausal women (with a mean age of 39 +/- 11). Carotid intima media thickness was measured in all of the participants. Results: Mean CIMT of premenopausal women was 0.51 +/- 0.14 mm. Age- adjusted correlates of CIMT was SBP (r = 0.138; p=<0.001), DBP (r=0.095; p=-0.012) and LDL/HDL (r =0.077; p=0.041) ratio. Linear regression analysis was done in order to find independent covariates of carotid intima media thickness in two different models. Only age and systolic blood pressure were independently associated with CIMT. Logistic regression analysis revealed that only age was an independent predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis. Hypertension had the highest Odds ratio with borderline significance. Conclusion: The age and systolic blood pressure were independently associated with CIMT in premenopausal healthy Turkish women. Hypertension might be the best target for a modifiable risk factor for CIMT and future cardiovascular risk in this population

Left main coronary artery occlusion during elective coronary angiography: Case report [Elektif koroner anjiyografi esnasinda sol ana koroner arter tikanmasi]

Acute left main coronary artery thrombosis is a rare but potentially lethal complication of coronary angiography. Pulmonary edema, resistent ventricular arrhytmias, cardiogenic shock, and sudden death are seen in most of the patients who develop clinically acute left coronary artery occlusion. It can be seen during percutaneoous interventions or after spontaneous plaque rupture. Occurrence of complications during cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography is rare. However, complications may be fatal if they occur. Acute left main coronary artery occlusion is one of the complications that may develop during diagnostic coronary angiography. This complication is severely life-threatening. Recognition of the lesion and urgent interventional therapy can be life saver. Herein, we report a case of left main coronary artery occlusion during elective coronary angiography which was treated urgently with direct stenting, and discuss the treatment modalities in the light of literature. Copyright © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri

Primary angioplasty in very old patients with acute myocardial infarction: Report of two cases and review of the literature

There is limited data regarding treatment of acute myocardial infarction in very old patients. The very elderly population has complex co-morbidities, worse left ventricular function, poor functional status, increased risk, and reduced benefit from treatment. Contraindications to lytic therapy are common in the elderly, and the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke after thrombolytic therapy is strictly associated with age. Primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty results were also limited in octogenerians and nonagenarians. We report here two patients in 89 and 93 years who were admitted to the cardiology department with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and subsequently treated with percutaneous intervention. The results of primary coronary angioplasty in old patients were also discussed in light of the literature. Copyright © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri

The impact of metabolic syndrome on carotid intima media thickness

WOS: 000325204600005PubMed: 24065221OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities involving several cardiovascular risk factors. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is an important early screening tool to assess subclinical manifestation of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We aimed to investigate the impact of MetS on CIMT in a large scaled community based study. METHODS: The study was conducted on 2102 participants. Carotid intima media thickness was measured in all of the participants. The study sample was divided into 4 groups; Group 1 subjects with a body mass index (BMI) = 30 kg/m(2) and 39.9 kg/m(2) [n = 822 (MetS-= 375, MetS+ = 477)], and Group 4 BMI >= 40 kg/m(2) [n = 88 (MetS-= 27, MetS+ = 61)]. RESULTS: Carotid intima media thickness was higher in the individuals with MetS compared to their normal counterparts. Furthermore, the sub-group analysis showed that CIMT values in Group 1 (0.55 +/- 0.18 vs 0.82 +/- 0.70; p < 0.001), Group 2 (0.59 +/- 0.20 vs 0.68 +/- 0.18; p < 0.001) and Group 3 (0.61 +/- 0.15 vs 0.65 +/- 0.18; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in subjects with MetS compared to their normal counterparts, whereas the values were similar in Group 4 (0.62 +/- 0.13 vs 0.65 +/- 0.17; p = 0.363). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid intima media thickness of overweight, obese and normal weight individuals without MetS were lower than their counterparts with MetS. MetS had no impact on CIMT in morbid obese individuals possibly due to established insulin resistance earlier than MetS

OUTCOME OF PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH INFARCT RELATED CORONARY ARTERY ECTASIA

WOS: 000209824900016

Effect of olmesartan medoxomil on cystatin C level, left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic function

WOS: 000269389400004PubMed: 19521888Serum cystatin C concentration is an alternative measure of kidney function that is less affected by age, sex or muscle mass, and is a more sensitive indicator of early renal dysfunction than creatinine-based estimations of glomerular filtration rate. Cardiovascular sequela increases progressively with the increase in left ventricular mass. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of olmesartan medoxomil on cystatin C levels and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with hypertension. Forty-four newly diagnosed hypertensive patients (27 women and 17 men) were recruited in the study. Olmesartan medoxomil (20 mg/day) was started and the patients were followed up for 6 months. Baseline echocardiographic findings (i.e. left ventricular mass index), serum creatinine, urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and serum cystatin C levels were compared with the levels of these variables measured at the end of 6-month follow-up period. After 6 months of treatment with olmesartan medoxomil, there was a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and in urine ACR (p = 0.04). Mean serum cystatin C levels decreased from 1.61 +/- 0.24 mg/l to 1.31 +/- 0.29 mg/l (p < 0.001). Olmesartan medoxomil treatment also reduced left ventricular mass index (p < 0.001) and LVH (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that olmesartan medoxomil decreases serum cystatin C levels, urine ACR and reduces LVH in patients with hypertension. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that olmesartan medoxomil decreases serum cystatin C levels, indicating that in patients with essential hypertension it may counteract end organ damage