Effects of hydraulics structures on dissolved oxygen concentration: A case study from the stream Harsit, Eastern Black Sea Basin, Turkey

A sufficient supply of dissolved oxygen (DO) is vital for all higher aquatic life. The problems associated with low concentrations of DO in rivers have been recognized for over a century. The impacts of low DO concentrations or, at the extreme, anaerobic conditions in a normally well oxygenated river system, are an unbalanced ecosystem with fish mortality, odors and other aesthetic nuisances. The primary aim of this study is to determine the spatial and temporal variation of four physicochemical variables including DO concentration, water temperature (T), pH and electrical conductivity (EC) in the stream Harsit, Eastern Black Sea Basin, Turkey. For this reason, a study was fortnightly conducted during the four seasons between March 2009 and February 2010 in five monitoring stations. The obtained data are evaluated according to Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation (TWPCR), and also it is focused on the effects of hydraulics structures, namely Torul CFRD & HEPP, Kurtun CFRD & HEPP, and Dogankent HEPP, and the sandgravel mining activities on the studied variables. It was concluded that the stream Harsit has high-quality water according to the TWPCR in terms of DO, T and pH. Torul Dam generated a decrease with 13.18 % in the concentration value, and the minimum DO value with 9.23 mg/L was determined in the station after Torul CFRD and HEPP. However, Kurtun Dam increased the DO as 23.22 %, and the maximum DO value with 11.38 mg/L was obtained in the station after Kurtun CFRD & HEPP. Any negative effect from sand-gravel mining activities between the last two stations on the monitored variables was not observed

A strategy based on the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of cadmium in environmental samples prior to ıts determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

This work has been supported by the Scientific Research Projects of Karadeniz Technical University (Project no: 1223), Turkey.A simple method was developed by combining dispersive liquid-liquid microexraction (DLLME) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). For the pre-concentration of trace amounts of cadmium, a new complexation chelate of 2-[(4-phenylpiperazine-5-Thioxo- 4,5-dihydro-1 ,3,4-oxadiazole-2- yl)methyl]-5-methyl-4-[2-(1H-indol e-3-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1, 2,4-Triazole-3-one (PPTOMDT) was used and mixed with the solvents of chloroform and methanol. The mixture of the extraction solutions was then directly injected into an aqueous solution containing Cd2+ ions. After centrifugation, the settled phase was diluted with 500 mu L of ethanol/nitric acid and aspirated into the FAAS. The limit of detection (LOD) was found at 0.69 mu g L-1 under optimum conditions. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 15 replicates at a 3.75 mu g L-1 Cd2+ concentration level was 3.21%. The calibration plot was linear within the range of 2.5-15 mu g L-1 of Cd2+. After the analytical characteristics were determined, the CRM-TMDW-500 Drinking Water and CRM-SA-C Sandy Soil C, both certified reference materials, were analyzed in order to validate the method. The application of the DLLME method has been successfully tested for the determination of cadmium in solid and liquid samples. The recoveries of the spiked sample ranged between 92-96%

Psychosocial Treatments in Anorexia Nervosa

Despite its severe morbidity and mortality, studies regarding the psychosocial treatments of anorexia nervosa are limited in number. This paper aims to present the general outlines of various psychosocial interventions developed for the treatment of anorexia nervosa and to provide an up-to-date review of the randomized-controlled studies on the effectiveness of these approaches. Reviewed studies were classified by age spectrum of samples under two main headings: adolescents and mixed samples of adults and adolescents. Specific issues about other variables were then discussed separately. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2017; 9(3.000): 329-345

3D-MSCs A151 ODN-Loaded Exosomes Are Immunomodulatory And Reveal A Proteomic Cargo That Sustains Wound Resolution

Introduction Non-healing wounds remain a major burden due to the lack of effective treatments. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) have emerged as therapeutic options given their pro-regenerative and immunomodulatory features. Still, little is known on the exact mechanisms mediated by MSC-Exo. Importantly, modulation of their efficacy through 3D-physiologic cultures together with loading strategies continues underexplored. Objectives To uncover the MSC-Exo-mediated mechanism via proteomic analyses, and to use 3D-culture and loading technologies to expand MSC-Exo efficacy for cutaneous wound healing. Methods MSC-Exo were produced in either 3D or 2D cultures (Exo3D/Exo2D) and loaded with an exogenous immunosuppressive oligodeoxynucleotide (A151 ODN). Both, loaded and naïve exosomes were characterised regarding size, morphology and the presence of specific protein markers; while IPA analyses enabled to correlate their protein content with the effects observed in vitro and in vivo. The Exo3D/Exo2D regenerative potential was evaluated in vitro by assessing keratinocyte and fibroblast mitogenicity, motogenicity, and cytokine secretion as well as using an in vivo wound splinting model. Accordingly, the modulation of inflammatory and immune responses by A151-loaded Exo3D/Exo2D was also assessed. Results Exo3D stimulated mitogenically and motogenically keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro, with upregulation of IL-1α and VEGF-α or increased secretion of TGF-β, TNF-α and IL-10. In vivo, Exo3D reduced the granulation tissue area and promoted complete re-epithelization of the wound. These observations were sustained by the proteomic profiling of the Exo3D cargo that identified wound healing-related proteins, such as TGF-β, ITGA1-3/5, IL-6, CDC151, S100A10 and Wnt5α. Moreover, when loaded with A151 ODN, Exo3D differentially mediated wound healing-related trophic factors reducing the systemic levels of IL-6 and TNF-α at the late stage of wound healing in vivo. Conclusion Our results support the potential of A151-loaded Exo3D for the treatment of chronic wounds by promoting skin regeneration, while modulating the systemic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokinesThis study was partially supported by FCT (PTDC/MED-TOX/29183/2017, PTDC/MED-QUI/31721/2017 and PTDC/SAU-SER/30197/2017), by strategic funding for iMed.ULisboa (UIDB/04138/2020 and UIDP/04138/2020), for UnIC (UID/00051/2020) and for iBiMED (UID/BIM/04501/2020), and by European Union, Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional (QREN), Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) and Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade (COMPETE) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007628 and LISBOA-01-0145- FEDER-030197). VIB Proteomics Core and COST Actions (EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020) CA16113 and CA16119 are also acknowledged. The authors thank Dr. Tânia Carvalho for her valuable assistance on histological analysis. SPC also acknowledges EFIS-IL short-term fellowship.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

EVALUATION OF INCONTINENCE, QUALITY OF LIFE AND SEXUAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN WHO OPERATED SUBURETHRAL SLING

eden bir hastalık olmamasına rağmen, psikolojik, sosyal ve cinsel problemlerle yaşam kalitesi üzerinde olumsuz etkileri olduğu gösterilmiştir. Çalışmamızda orta üretral askı operasyonu sonrası kadınların cinsel fonksiyon, idrar kaçırma ve yaşam kalitesinin araştırılması amaçlandı. Gereç ve yöntem: Ekim 2005 ile Mart 2007 tarihleri arasında stres ve karışık tipte idrar kaçırma nedeniyle orta üretral askı operasyonu yapılan 29 cinsel aktif kadın hasta değerlendirildi. Hastalardan tıbbi ve cinsel öykü alınarak, Kadın Cinsel Fonksiyon İndeksi ve İnkontinans Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği dolduruldu. Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde sayı, yüzde dağılımı, McNeamer analizi, ki-kare ve t testleri kullanıldı. Bulgular: Çalışmaya alınan kadınların ortalama yaş ve kadın cinsel fonksiyon indeksi skoru sırasıyla 50,4 ± 8,8 yıl ve 19,3 ± 10,7 olarak saptandı. Kadın cinsel fonksiyon indeksi skoruna göre (<25) çalışmaya alınan %65,5 kadında cinsel fonksiyon bozukluğu saptandı. Operasyon sonrası kadınlar yaşam kalitelerinden memnundu. Operasyon öncesi %69'u cinsel ilişkilerinde idrar kaçırırken, operasyon sonrasında bu oranın %21 olduğu saptandı. Orta üretral askı ameliyatı sonrası hastaların %52'si cinsel yaşamlarından daha memnun olduklarını belirtti. Sonuç: Orta üretral askı operasyonu sonrasında kadınların inkontinans yakınmalarında düzelme olduğu ve yaşam kalitelerinden memnun olduğu görülürken, cinsel fonksiyon bozukluğu prevalansının önemli düzeyde yüksek olduğu görülmektedir. Objective: Although urinary incontinence is not a life threatening disorder, it has been shown to have detrimental effects on quality of life in terms of psychological, social and sexual problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of suburethral sling operation on sexual function, incontinence and quality of life. Material and method: Twenty nine women were evaluated who underwent suburethral sling operation for stress and mixed incontinence from October 2005 to March 2007. All women and their partners were sexually active. We evaluated all the women enrolled in the study by taking incontinence and sexual history, administering the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Incontinence Quality of Life Instrument. Number (I-QOL), percent distribution, McNeamer, chi square and t tests were used for the data analysis. Results: Mean age and FSFI scores of women were 50.4±8.8 years and 19.3 ± 10.7, respectively. According to total FSFI score (<25) there were 65.5% subjects had sexual dysfunction. Quality of life was improved after suburetral sling in female patients. Reported urinary leakage during intercourse was significantly reduced (69% to 21%). Among the patients 52% of them were reported an improvement of their sexual life after suburetral sling surgery. Conclusion: This study showed that suburetral sling procedures as anti-incontinence surgery is associated with reduced complaints of incontinence and improvement of the quality of life. However, prevalence of female sexual dysfunction is significantly high in these patients

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with Poor Insight

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder that may cause severe disability. Insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder has been an issue of debate since the disorder was described for the first time. Formerly, obsessive-compulsive disorder was regarded as one of the neurotic disorders and patients were supposed to find their symptoms as totally senseless and exaggerated. However, the idea that obsessions have to be regarded egodystonic has changed recently. Firstly in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition (DSM-IV), the term \"with poor insight and rdquo; was used as a specifier for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder with low or no insight may differ from obsessive-compulsive disorder with good insight in terms of sociodemographic, clinical and treatment features. Along with types of obsessions, the levels of insight are subject to change. Obsessive-compulsive disorder with poor insight can either be a subtype with different features or a severe form of Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Along with DSM-5 insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder is no longer classified as absent or present. Insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder needs to be conceptualized as a spectrum or continuity. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2014; 6(2.000): 126-141

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with Poor Insight

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder that may cause severe disability. Insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder has been an issue of debate since the disorder was described for the first time. Formerly, obsessive-compulsive disorder was regarded as one of the neurotic disorders and patients were supposed to find their symptoms as totally senseless and exaggerated. However, the idea that obsessions have to be regarded egodystonic has changed recently. Firstly in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition (DSM-IV), the term \"with poor insight and rdquo; was used as a specifier for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder with low or no insight may differ from obsessive-compulsive disorder with good insight in terms of sociodemographic, clinical and treatment features. Along with types of obsessions, the levels of insight are subject to change. Obsessive-compulsive disorder with poor insight can either be a subtype with different features or a severe form of Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Along with DSM-5 insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder is no longer classified as absent or present. Insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder needs to be conceptualized as a spectrum or continuity. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2014; 6(2.000): 126-141

Segmentation of human face using gradient-based approach

This paper describes a method for automatic segmentation of facial features such as eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth and ears in colour images. This work is an initial step for wide range of applications based on feature-based approaches, such as face recognition, lip-reading, gender estimation, facial expression analysis, etc. Human face can be characterised by its skin colour and nearly elliptical shape. For this purpose, face detection is performed using colour and shape information. Uniform illumination is assumed. No restrictions on glasses, mace-up, beard, etc, are imposed. Facial features are extracted using the vertically and horizontally oriented gradient projections. The gradient of a minimum with respect to its neighbour maxima gives the boundaries of a facial feature. Each facial feature has a different horizontal characteristic. These characteristics are derived by extensive experimentation with many face images. Using fuzzy set theory, the similarity between the candidate and the feature characteristic under consideration is calculated. Gradient-based method is accompanied by the anthropometrical information, for robustness. Ear detection is performed using contour-based shape descriptors. This method detects the facial features and circumscribes each facial feature with the smallest rectangle possible. AR database is used for testing. The developed method is also suitable for real-time systems

Projection based method for segmentation of human face and its evaluation

We detect facial features and then circumscribe each facial feature with the smallest rectangle possible by using vertical and horizontal gray value projections of pixels. The result is evaluated with respect to the manually located enclosing rectangle on the images of a publicly available database