Black Carrot Extract Containing Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Nanofibers%253A Structural Characterization and Determination of Total Oxidant-Antioxidant Capacity

In this study three different electrospun nanofiber samples, named as polyvinly alcohol (PVA), polyvinly alcohol %2Bblack carrot extract (PVAB) and polyvinly alcohol%2Bblack carrot extract%2Btin dioxide (PVABT), were produced successfully using the electrospinning method. According to characterization analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it has been found that PVA nanofibers were continuous and they preserved their uniform structure and average diameters were measured as 215.76plusmn%253B75.47. With the addition of black carrot extract, fiber diameters increased to 637.97plusmn%253B91.85 nm. On the other hand, for PVABT accumulation of new structures observed and diamater thickness increased to 658.66plusmn%253B101.5 nm respectively. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy elemental mapping results of PVABT sample proved the binding and integration of the tin dioxide to the surface of the electrospun nanofibers. Antioxidant properties are also compared to determine how nanofiber coating of plant extracts effect on Total Oxidant Level (TOL) ndash%253B Total Antioxidant Level (TAL). While the antioxidant level of the black carrot extract covered with nanofiber was ~62%25 higher than the extract without nanofiber, it was determined that the extract-metal oxide combination showed higher antioxidant results. In addition, no oxidant was detected in electrospun nanofiber samples. Overall, it has been concluded that nanofibers can be fabricated in combination with plant extract and metal oxides and addition of these materials have ability to effect characteristic properties and antioxidant properties. Therefore, metal oxides and plant extracts have the potential to be used as an active food packaging ingredients for further applications in food industry. In the future, it will be important to determine other properties such as thermal stability, mechanical properties, or water vapor permeabilities of these nanomaterials

The effects of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on routine antenatal care visits and complications of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: Routine follow-up of pregnancy is a comprehensive care process starting from planning of pregnancy that involves rational and careful use of medical, psychological, and social support. In this study, our objective was to compare the adherence rate to routine antenatal follow-up program during the COVID-19 pandemic with that of previous years among pregnant women, in an effort to shed light on health policies to be developed similar events in the future. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out between March 11, 2019, when isolation measures were initiated in the context of precautionary steps taken in Turkey against the COVID-19 pandemic, and June 1, 2020, when the "normalization" was initiated. RESULTS: During the study period in 2020, the proportion of cesarean sections were higher, 61.1%, as compared to previous years (p=0.27). The stillbirths were numerically lower (1.2%, p=0.77), but the rate of spontaneous abortions was significantly higher (19.6%, p=0.009). The number of follow-up visits per pregnancy was lower than in previous years (3.8, p=0.02), although the proportion of patients visiting the outpatient units for regular controls to the overall patient group increased as compared to previous years (52.0%). CONCLUSION: During the flare-up of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. between March and June 2020), the rate of obstetric/neonatal morbidity and mortality except spontaneous abortion was not significantly higher as compared to the corresponding period in previous years. However, considering the potential increase in the risk of obstetric complications during a pandemic, specialized management programs targeting basic pregnancy follow-up services should be developed

The Distribution of Exon 3-Deleted/Full-Length Growth Hormone Receptor Polymorphism in the Turkish Population

Objective: The exon 3-deleted/full-length (d3/fl) growth hormone receptor (d3/fl-GHR) polymorphism has been associated with responsiveness to GH therapy in some children and also with adult height variation in the general population. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of d3/fl-GHR polymorphism in a Turkish population

Cerrahi yolla tedavi edilen el ve el bileği kitlelerinin değerlendirmesi

Amaç: El ve el bileği kökenli tümörler, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji uzmanlarının sıkça karşılaştıkları durumlardır. Bu tümörler sıklıkla benign karakter taşımalarına karşın nadiren malign özellikte tümörlerle de karşılaşılabilir. Bu çalışmamızda; cerrahi tedavi için hastanemize yatan el ve el bileği tümörlü hastalar incelenmiştir. Gereç ve yöntem: 1985-2011 yılları arasında patolojik tanıları doğrulamış 379 hastanın 381 el ve el bileği kitlesi çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Hastaların; 213’ü kadın, 166’sı erkek ve yaş ortalamaları 30,8 olarak bulunmuştur. Sonuçlar: Tümörlerin 14 % 3,7 tanesi malign; 367 % 96,3 ’si ise benigndi. Malign tümörlerin görüldüğü ortalama yaş 42,3 ; benign tümörlerinki ise 30,6 olarak hesaplandı. Histopatolojik tetkik sonuçlarına göre en sık olarak görülen tümör, 117 olgu ile enkondrom olurken; ikinci sırayı 104 olgu ile ganglion, üçüncü sırayı 49 olgu ile osteokondrom almıştır. En sık görülen malign tümör 8 olgu ile kondrosarkom olmuştur. Yorum: El ve el bileği tümörlerinin sıklığı ve çeşitliliğine dair epidemiyolojik veriler oldukça kısıtlıdır. El ve el bileği yerleşimli kitleler, her Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji uzmanının karşılaşma ihtimali yüksek olan olgulardır. Bu tümörlerin çok büyük bir kısmı benign nitelikte olsa da; malign tümörlerin de görülebileceği unutulmamalıdır. Bu çalışmamızın; el ve el bileğinde görülen kitlesel lezyonların, tanı ve tedavisi açısından Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji ile uğraşan meslektaşlarımıza faydalı olacağına inanmaktayı

Phenological, Pomological and Technological Characteristics of Seedless White Mulberry in Mulberry Genetic Resources of Turkey

This study carried out in 2015 and 2016 to determine phenological, pomological and some technological characteristics of 19 seedless mulberry genotypes of the Malatya Apricot Research Institute. Full-bloom periods of the genotypes varied between 27th of April (Poser 24-07) and 3rd of May (24 MRK 02); start of harvest dates varied between 15th of May (Poser 24-07) and 31st of May (Yediveren 24-08); end of harvest dates varied between 5th of July (Angut 009) and 30th of August (Yediveren 24-08). Fruiting durations varied between 50 days (Angut 009) and 95 days (Gemirgap Dutu 24-05). Of the pomological characteristics, average fruit weights varied between 0.77 g (Angut 009) and 2.46 g (Poser 24-07); water soluble dry matter (WSDM) contents varied between 15.50% (Topu Beyaz 1) and 29.60% (Angut 009). Of the technological characteristics, drying efficiency values varied between 15.79% (44 KE 10) and 39.94% (Angut 009), dry fruit color L values varied between 25.97 (Poser 24-07) and 50.20 (İstanbul Dutu 24-12). Based on present findings, Poser 24-07 genotype was found to be prominent with early fruiting and availability for fresh consumption; Yediveren 24-08 genotype with late fruiting; İstanbul Dutu 24-12 genotype with drying efficiency and Gemirgap Dutu 24-05 and Gemirgap Dutu 24-06 genotypes with their longer fruiting durations. Current findings may be beneficial in mulberry breeding programs

Predictive value of admission red cell distribution width-platelet ratio for no-reflow phenomenon in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: The red cell distribution width–platelet ratio (RPR), a novel inflammatory marker is currently used to predict inflammation in chronic diseases. It may be associated with adverse outcomes among artery disease but its prognostic value in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been fully investigated. There is no data regarding the association between RPR and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). This study evaluated the relations between pre-procedural RPR and the in-hospital and long-term outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Methods: This study included 580 STEMI patients (77% men, mean age: 59 ± 12 years). The patients were divided into two groups according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades after primary PCI. No-reflow was defined as a post-PCI TIMI flow grade of 0, 1 or 2 (group 1). Angiographic success was defined as TIMI flow grade 3 (group 2). Results: Whole blood cell count, neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages, red cell distribution width, platecrit, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and RPR values were higher among patients with no-reflow. On multivariate analysis, pain to balloon time, multivessel disease, TIMI thrombus grade, tirofiban, aspirin, previous coronary artery disease, NLR, platecrit and RPR remained independent predictors of no-reflow after primary PCI. Patients in no-reflow group tended to be higher percent in-hospital MACE, including nonfatal myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality compared to the reflow patients. Conclusions: Admission NLR, platecrit and RPR are independent correlates of no-reflow and in-hospital MACEs among patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Is epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E associated with more severe end-organ damage in essential hypertension?

The aim of the present study comparing patients with mild to moderate hypertension with controls, was to explore a possible association between hypertension-related target organ damage and evaluation found in the gene encoding apolipoprotein E (apo E) genotype. Detailed medical history was recorded and physical examination was per-formed for all patients in the study (88 hypertensives, 63 normotensive controls). PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism), and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques were used to determine the apo E genotypes. The frequencies of apo epsilon2, apo epsilon3, and apo epsilon4 alleles were 3.97, 88.06, and 9.95%, respectively in the hypertensive group. The frequencies of apo epsilon2, apo epsilon3, and apo epsilon4 alleles were 5.5, 92.0, and 2.38%, respectively in the control group. There were about twice as many individuals in the heterozygote hypertensive group who had apo E3/4 as compared to the control group (7.30 vs. 2.38%) (p = 0.07). The hypertensive patients who were carriers of the apo epsilon4 had significantly higher organ damage (left ventricular hypertrophy (p < 0.001). dilated left atrium (p < 0.05), retinopathy (p < 0.05)) as compared to those who were not carriers of apo epsilon4. These results showed a trend for the epsilon4 allele to be associated with a higher prevalence of target organ damage in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd