Performance limits of the three MEMS inertial energy generator transduction types

Accepted versio

The Liberian national rural water supply programme: problems and prospects

The Liberian national rural water supply programme: problems and prospect

Comparison Of The Therapeutic Effects Of Tri-Iodothyronine And Methylprednisolone During Early Sepsis In Laboratory Animals

Background: Despite major advances, the treatment of sepsis is still a challenging problem for surgeons. This study was aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of methylprednisolone and tri-iodothyronine replacement therapy during an early sepsis. Material and methods: Forty male Wistar albino rats weighing 300-340g were divided into the Control, CLP, CLP/MP, CLP/T3 and CLP/MP/T3 groups. The Control group underwent a sham operation. Only cecal ligation and puncture was performed in the CLP group. The CLP/MP groups received an intramuscular injection of (MP) methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) at one and half hour before CLP. The CLP/T3 group was given an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of tyroid hormone (T3) 0.4 mu g/100 g immediately after CLP. The CLP/MP/T3 group was given IM injection of MP 30 mg/kg before CLP and IP injection of T3 0.4 mu g/100 g after CLP. Hemavet changes, blood cultures, peritoneal bacteria content, hormonal alterations and histopathologic changes of intestinal, lung and liver tissue were used to asses the possible therapeutic effects of MP and T3 during early sepsis. Results: A septic insult resulted in significant alterations on hemavet values, free T3, free T4 and cortisol levels, peritoneal bacteria content and intestinal lung and liver tissue samples of the CLP group. Hemavet changes and peritoneal inflammation findings were significantly limited in the CLP/T3 and CLP/MP/T3 groups. Histopathologic changes had no significant difference between the groups during an early sepsis. Conclusion: Compared to the MP replacement therapy, therapeutic effects of T3 replacement therapy have been found significantly more promising (Tab. 1, Fig. 10, Ref. 49). Full Text in PDF www.elis.sk.Wo

The value of 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid measurement in spot urine diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Objective: To assess the role of 5-Hydroxy Indole Acetic Acid (5-HIAA) levels in spot urine in diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Design: A prospective, controlled study. Setting: Ankara Numune Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Subject: Twenty six patients with histologically proven acute appendicitis following appendectomy were included in the study. Control group with consisted of patients prepared for hernia repair in the same duration. In the preoperative period, urine samples were collected from every patient for measurement of 5-HIAA. Results: The study group comprised 26 patients; 15 of those had high urine 5-HIAA levels, whereas 11 patients had values within normal range. None of ten control patients displayed positive test result. The test had 58% sensitivity and 48% specificity. In histopathological examination only two of ten patients with gangrenous appendicitis showed positive test result, whereas 13 of 16 patients with no histopathological gangrenous changes had high values. Conclusion: Urine 5-HIAA measurement has low sensitivity and specificity. The value of the test is even clearly lower in gangrenous appendicitis. This may be misleading in management of patients in late phase of appendicitis and in cases with perforation which is mainly responsible for morbidity. East African Medical Journal Vol.81(1) 2004: 40-4

Oxidized LDL accumulation in experimental renal ischemia reperfusion injury model

Background/Aims. The aim of this study was to identify oxidative damage of kidney during ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) by evaluating changes in lipid peroxidation markers in tissue and blood by an experimental model. Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) was used as an oxidative stress biomarker, whereas paraoxonase (PON-1) activity was used as an antioxidative biomarker. Methods. Sixty-three male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups: renal IRI, sham, and control. In the renal IRI group, the right kidney was removed and the artery and vein of the left kidney were clamped for 90 minutes. The presence of ox-LDL in the kidney tissue sections was determined by using an immunofluorescent staining method. Results. The plasma ox-LDL levels did not increase significantly at the 24th hour following IRI, made a peak at the 48th hour, and declined at the 72nd hour. Accumulation of ox-LDL was detected in the kidney tissue on the 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours of the renal IRI. Serum PON-1 levels have peaked on the 24th hour and then declined. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the accumulation of ox-LDL molecules in the renal tissues of the IRI model. Future strategies aimed to reduce the lipid peroxidation during the initial hours of renal IRI may be useful to prevent complications of ischemia. Copyright © Informa Healthcare

HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV 1/2, and syphilis seroprevalence in blood donors in Eastern Marmara Region, Turkey and an overview of transfusion transmitted infections in Turkey

Introduction: Blood transfusion and component therapies are life-saving medical practices. However these therapies, are not without risks and may lead to the transmission of infectious agents from donor to recipient. Screening of blood donations for infectious agents is necessary to achieve transfusion safety. The aim of the study was to determine the six-years seroprevalence of HBV (hepatitis B virus), HCV (hepatitis C virus), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and syphilis in blood donors and to present an overview of transfusion transmitted infections in Turkey. Material and methods: A total of 150,787 volunteer blood donors who admitted to blood centers located in Eastern Marmara Region, Turkey between January 2009 and October 2014 were included in this study. HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen), anti-HCV (hepatitis C virus antibody), and HIV-1/2 antibody were detected by using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (CMIA) method. Syphilis screening was performed by using VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test in the first three years and by CMIA-based treponemal test in the last three years. Results: Among the blood donors, 140,536 (93.2%) were male and 10,251 (6.8%) female. Out of all donors, 2,019 (1.33%) donors were positive for at least one screening test. The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis were 0.8 % (n=1340), 0.38% (n=578), 0,0025% (n=38) and 0,004 % (n=63), respectively. A significant decrease was observed in HBV seroprevalence by years (p < 0.005) Conclusion: The risk of transfusion-transmitted infections can be decreased by effectively using questionnaires and screening tests in blood donation centers, HBV vaccination programs, and awareness-raising activities. It is necessary to use improved screening methods for detection of transfusion-transmitted infection agents