Effects of Topical Ozone Application on Outcomes after Accelerated Corneal Collagen Cross-linking: An Experimental Study

Purpose: Ozone is a trioxygen molecule that spontaneously degrades into oxygen and oxygen free radicals. This study was designed to assess the effects of topical ozone application on outcomes after corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL). Methods: Enucleated fresh cadaver yearling sheep eyes (n = 28) were divided into five groups: control (C, n = 6), sham (S, n = 6), ozone only (Z, n = 6), CXL only (X, n = 5), and Ozone + CXL (ZX, n = 5). In all groups, except C, the epithelial layer was removed. In group Z, 20 μg/mL liquid ozone was topically applied. In group X, CXL was performed in the accelerated pulse mode. In group ZX, both CXL and ozone were applied. Post-interventional oxygen levels were determined and corneal confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography were performed. Corneas were evaluated using light and electron microscopy. Results: Pre-interventional central corneal thickness (CCT) was highest in the control group and considerably similar in the remaining groups (P = 0.006). Pre- and post-interventional CCT were significantly different in the ozonated groups (Z and ZX) (P = 0.028; P = 0.043). Demarcation line depths were similar in groups Z, X, and ZX (P = 0.343). Increased stromal tissue reflectivity was observed in groups Z, X, and ZX. Oxygen levels were higher in the ozonated groups (Z and ZX) (P = 0.006), and caspase activity was higher in the CXL groups (X and ZX) (P = 0.028) as compared to the other groups. Group ZX showed tighter, more regular, and parallel fibrils. Conclusion: Ozone increases corneal stromal oxygenation which can probably augment the effect of CXL. Future studies should investigate the safety and feasibility of ozone application during CXL

CDH12 as a Candidate Gene for Kidney Injury in Posterior Urethral Valve Cases:A Genome-wide Association Study Among Patients with Obstructive Uropathies

Background: Posterior urethral valves (PUVs) and ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) are congenital obstructive uropathies that may impair kidney development. Objective: To identify genetic variants associated with kidney injury in patients with obstructive uropathy. Design, setting, and participants: We included 487 patients born in 1981 or later who underwent pyeloplasty or valve resection before 18 yr of age in the discovery phase, 102 PUV patients in a first replication phase, and 102 in a second replication phase

Organizational Culture Type in Turkish Universities using OCAI: Perceptions of Students

Aim. The aim of this research is to identify student perceptions of the current organizational culture type in four flagship Turkish public universities. Its further goal after this diagnosis was to help the researchers and policy makers to deeply understand the actual situations and make recommendations for organizational culture change and educational innovations. Methods. We applied a mixed-method approach to collect data. The quantitative method consisted of 964 applications of the instrument of OCAI to bachelor students. The qualitative method included 19 semi-structured interviews to follow up and verify the results from the survey to have a deeper insight into Turkish HEIs. Results. The variety of findings through survey and interviews revealed and validated that the dominant culture type of Turkish universities regarding students is hierarchy followed by market culture. It is probable that the national cultural structure of the Turkish society is a result of this finding. It appears that Turkey has a hierarchical workplace attributing control, order, authority, and smooth functioning. Conclusions. Based on student perceptions, this study can provide policy makers, academic leaders, academic staff and employees in administrative units with a broader knowledge of the current organizational culture type in universities in Turkey, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of organizational culture in universities and to improve the quality through making innovations

A Comparison of job selection by students with and without hearing impairment

AbstractObjectives: Hearing loss can significantly affect an individual’s life, particularly in communication, education, social life and work life. The objective of the present study was to determine the required educational levels for the preferred jobs by the students with and without hearing impairment. Methods: This study, based on surveys made in two different schools, was performed in Ankara in May 2004. Surveys were made in Yahya Özsoy Primary School for the Deaf (n=119) with students having a hearing loss over 70 dB, and in a National Primary School (n=119) with students without a hearing impairment. The study, conducted by trained staff on both groups was done by filling up questionnaires focused on the job and educational level preferences of students. The required education levels for preferred jobs were considered as two groups: the first group required an education of a minimum of 11 years in order to become doctors, nurses, teachers etc. The second group did not require any education or required an education of less than 11 years in order to become shoe painters, drivers, ironers, grocers etc. Logistic regression analyses were used for the statistical analyses. Results: It was found that several factors influence the required education levels for the preferred jobs: students who were attending the hearing impaired school and were male were more likely to prefer less than 11 years educational level job compared to the other group. There was no association between the required educational levels for the preferred jobs of the students and the class, maternal age, employment status or education, or of the paternal age, employment status or education. Considering only the students with hearing impairment, male students more frequently prefer less than 11 years educational jobs than females. Similar results were also seen in the group of students without hearing impairment. Conclusions: The importance of career training and counseling that may benefit young people, especially those who are hard of hearing was seen. In order to meet these needs, specialized instructional programs for dormitory counselors in schools for the deaf should be implemented.Key Words: Preferred job, hearing-impaired students, career counselingÖzetAmaç: Bu çalışma ile sağlıklı ve işitme engelli öğrencilerin mesleki tercihlerinin karşılaştırılması, olası farklılıklar ile bunu etkileyen faktörlerin saptanması amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışma Mayıs 2004’te Ankara’da, 70 dB üzerinde işitme kayıbı olanların devam ettiği Yahya Özsoy İşitme Engelliler İlköğretim Okulu öğrencileri (n=119) ile belirlenmiş engeli olmayanların devam ettiği bir İlköğretim Okulu öğrencileri (n=119) üzerinde yürütülmüştür. Öğrencilere uygulanan anket formlarında, sosyodemografik bilgilerin yanı sıra ileride kendileri için hangi mesleği düşündükleri ve bu meslek için gereken eğitim seviyesi sorgulanmıştır. Seçilen meslek için gereken eğitim seviyesi kriteri olarak 11 yıl alınmıştır. Ayakkabı boyacılığı, terzilik, demircilik, marangozluk, boyacılık, tır şoförlüğü gibi meslekler 11 yıldan az süre eğitim gerektiren meslekler grubuna dahil edilmiş olup; öğretmen, pilot, doktor, hemşire gibi meslekler 11 yıl ve üzerinde bir süre eğitim gerektiren meslekler grubunda ele alınmıştır. İstatistiksel analiz yöntemi olarak lojistik regresyon kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Seçilen meslek için gereken eğitim seviyesini etkileyen faktörlere bakıldığında, işitme engelli okuluna devam eden öğrenciler ile erkek öğrencilerin diğer gruplara göre daha fazla oranda 11 yıldan az eğitim gerektiren meslek tercihinde bulundukları saptanmıştır. Halen devam edilen sınıf, annenin yaşı, çalışma durumu ve eğitimi ile, babanın yaşı, çalışma durumu ve eğitiminin tercih edilen meslek için gereken eğitim seviyesi ile ilişkili olmadığı görülmüştür. Yalnızca işitme engelli öğrenciler ele alındığında, erkek öğrencilerin kızlara göre daha fazla oranda 11 yıldan az eğitim gerektiren meslek tercihinde bulundukları saptanmıştır. Benzer fark normal okula devam eden öğrenciler arasında da gözlenmiştir. Sonuç: Bu bulgular ışığında, kariyer ve meslek tercihi, konusunda özellikle ağır işitme engeli olan çocukların daha hayatlarının başında beklentilerini düşük tuttukları görülmektedir. Bununla birlikte, diğer ülkelerde bu konuda yapılan çalışmaların sonuçları da göz önüne alınarak yapılan değerlendirmelerde bu grup çocuklar ve genç erişkinlerin ülkemizde yakalayamadıkları kariyer yönlendirme, geliştirme gibi sosyal desteklerle oldukça önemli mesleklerde başarılı oldukları da görülmektedir. Ülkemizde de bu anlamda geliştirici çalışmalar yapılmalıdır.Anahtar Kelimeler: Meslek tercihi, işitme engelli çocuklar, kariyer danışmanlığı </span

Çocuk Acil Servisinin En Küçük Misafirleri: Yenidoğanlar

Amaç Yenidoğan dönemi çocukluk çağının en savunmasız dönemlerinden biridir. Çalışmamızda çocuk acil servisine getirilen yenidoğan bebeklerin başvuru nedenleri ile izlem özelliklerini değerlendirmeyi amaçladık. Gereç ve Yöntemler 01.09.2018-01.09.2019 tarihleri arasında İstanbul Şehit Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank Sancaktepe Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi çocuk acil servisine başvuran yenidoğanların demografik ve klinik bilgileri hastane veri tabanından alınarak geriye dönük olarak incelendi. Hastaların yaş, cinsiyet, başvuru nedeni, başvuru zamanı ve klinik seyirleri değerlendirildi. Bulgular İncelenen 12 aylık süreçte çocuk acile başvuran hasta sayısı 209.030 idi. Yenidoğanlar (0-28 gün) başvuruların %1,54’ünü (3224) oluşturuyordu, %46,96’sı (1.514) kız, %53,04’ü (1.710) erkekti. Vakaların en sık başvuru yaşının %63,94 (2062) ile 7-28 günler arasında olduğu görüldü. Sarılık (n=1.193, %37) en sık başvuru nedeniydi. En fazla başvuru Ağustos ayında (n=428, %13,28) olduğu görüldü. Hastaların %89,61’i (2.890) ayaktan, %10,39’u (334) yatırılarak izlendi. Takip sırasında kaybedilen olgumuz olmadı. Sonuç Çalışmamızda, yenidoğan başvurularının büyük çoğunluğunu normal sağlıklı yenidoğan bebeklerin oluşturduğu görülmüştür. Ailelere doğum öncesi ve sonrası eğitim verilmesinin acil servise gereksiz başvuruları azaltabileceğini ve ciddi bulguları olan bebeklerin erken başvurularını sağlayabileceğini düşünüyoruz.Objective The neonatal period is one of the most vulnerable periods of childhood. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the reasons for admission and follow-up characteristics of newborn babies admitted to the pediatric emergency department. Material and Methods Demographic and clinical characteristics of newborns applied to the pediatric emergency department of Istanbul Sancaktepe Training and Research Hospital between 01.09.2018 and 01.09.2019 were taken from the hospital database and analyzed retrospectively. Age, gender, reason for admission, time of admission and clinical course of the patients were evaluated. Results The number of patients admitted to the pediatric emergency department during the 12-month period was 209.030. Newborns (0-28 days old) constituted 1.54% (3224) of the admission, 46.96% (1,514) were girls, 53.04% (1,710) were boys. The most of the cases (63.94%, n=2062) were between 7 and 28 days old. Jaundice (n=1,193, 37%) was the most common reason for admission. The highest number (n=428, 13.28%) of admissions was in August, 89.61% (2,890) of the patients were followed up outpatient and 10.39% (334) of them were hospitalized. We did not have any mortality cases during follow-up. Conclusion In our study, it was observed that the majority of newborn admissions consisted of normal healthy newborn babies. We think that providing education to families before and after delivery can reduce unnecessary admissions to the emergency department and provide early admissions of babies with severe symptoms

EFFECTS OF HAEMODIAFILTRATION (HDF) VS CONVENTIONAL HAEMODIALYSIS (HD) ON GROWTH AND CARDIOVASCULAR MARKERS IN CHILDREN - DATA FROM THE HDF VS HD (3H) STUDY

WOS: 000408418900034

Synthesis, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, and structure-activity relationships of gypsogenin derivatives against human cancer cells

WOS: 000339039100054PubMed ID: 24941130A series of gypsogenin (1) derivatives (1a-i) was synthesized in good yields, and the derivatives' structures were established using UV, IR, H-1 NMR,C-13 NMR, and LCMS spectroscopic data. Among the tested compounds, 1a, 1b, 1d, 1e, and gypsogenin (1) showed antimicrobial activities against Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thrungiensis, with inhibition zones of 10-14 mm. In addition, compounds 1b, 1d, and 1e showed antimicrobial activities against Bacillus cereus, with inhibition zones of 9-14 mm. Using six human cancer cell lines in vitro, the cytotoxic activities of all tested compounds were determined by calculating the IC50 values. Doxorubicin and paclitaxel were used as controls. Among the tested compounds, 1a, 1c, and 1d had inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 3.9 mu M (HL-60 cells), 5.15 mu M (MCF-7 cells), and 5.978 mu M (HL-60), respectively. To determine the type of cell death, Hoechst 33258 (HO) and propidium iodide (PI) double staining was used. Especially, gypsogenin (1) and compound la triggered the apoptotic mechanism at a concentration of 20 mu M. Thus, gypsogenin (1) and compounds la, 1c, and 1d possess varying degrees of biological activities and can be considered as potential antitumor agents. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

The Clinical Significance of Uric Acid and Complement Activation in the Progression of IgA Nephropathy

Background/Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the utility of clinical [age, gender, mean arterial pressure (MAP)] and laboratory parameters [eGFR, hemoglobin (Hgb), serum levels of creatinine, uric acid, albumin, proteinuria, hematuria] and also histopathological lesions (Oxford classification parameters, crescents, intensity and pattern of staining for C3, C1Q, IgA, IgG, IgM) as progression markers in patients with IgA Nephropathy (IgAN). Methods: A total of 111 IgAN patients with a follow-up period >1 year or who reached kidney failure [GFR category G5 chronic kidney disease (CKD)] Results: Mean follow-up period was 33±29 months. Thirty-seven (33.3%) patients progressed to kidney failure and 4 (3.6%) patients developed eGFR decline ≥50% from the baseline after a median of 23 and 65 months, respectively. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, baseline levels of Hgb (HR:0.782, 95% CI 0.559-0.973, p=0.037), serum uric acid (HR:1.293, 95% CI 1.023-1.621, p=0.046), eGFR (HR:0.966, 95% CI 0.947-0.984, p=0.004) and intensity of C3 staining (HR:1.550, 95% CI 1.198-1.976, p=0.049) predicted primary endpoint. Serum uric acid level was associated independently with T score (β=0.303, p=0.005) in patients with eGFR>30 ml/min/m2. Conclusions: Hyperuricemia and the deposition of C3 are independent risk factors for IgAN progression