The effect of anatomic differences on the relationship between renal artery and diaphragmatic crus

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of anatomic differences on the relationship between renal artery and diaphragmatic crus via the touch of two structures. Materials and methods: The study included dynamic computed tomography (CT) scans of 308 patients performed mainly for characterisation of liver and renal masses. Anatomic differences including the thickness of the diaphragmatic crus, the localisation of renal artery ostium at the wall of aorta, the level of renal artery origin with respect to superior mesenteric artery were evaluated. Statistical relationships between renal artery-diaphragmatic crus contact and the anatomic differences were assessed. Results: Thickness of the diaphragmatic crus at the level of renal artery origin exhibited a statistically significant relationship to renal artery-diaphragmatic crus contact at the left (p < 0.001) and right side (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between high renal artery origin and renal artery- -diaphragmatic crus contact at the left (p < 0.001) and right side (p = 0.01). The localisation of renal artery ostium at the wall of aorta (right side, p = 0.436, left side, p = 0.681) did not demonstrate a relationship to renal artery-diaphragmatic crus contact. Conclusions: Thickness of the diaphragmatic crus and high renal artery origin with respect to superior mesenteric artery are crucial anatomic differences determining the relationship of renal artery and diaphragmatic crus. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 22–28)

SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF AVAILABLE MICRONUTRIENT CONTENTS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AND CORN YIELD

WOS: 000289041100014Improved nutrient management in precision agriculture is important for achieving high yield and protecting environmental quality. The objectives of this study were to explore the spatial distribution of soil-available micro-elements and investigate the spatial relationship between corn yield and soil properties. The topsoil was sampled according to a nested sampling pattern (20*20 m), to describe the spatial variability by geostatistical techniques from 0 to 220 m. The mean plant-available Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn contents were 1.91, 0.63, 16.88, and 11.93 mg kg(-1), respectively, being at medium or at high levels. The results indicated that coefficient of variation for soil properties varied from 1.28 (pH) to 47.51 % (EC). Within the field studied, moderate spatial dependence was found for many of the variables, but at different spatial scales. The semi-variance analysis showed that available Zn and Mn were spatially correlated at the greater distances of 155.8 m and 379.8 m, hence requiring the largest sampling interval, and available Cu and Fe were at shorter distances of 95.3 and 57.1 m, respectively. Yield map showed few consistent high or low yielding areas of the field. Although no correlation was found between Zn content and corn yield, inadequate Zn and the lowest yield amount were clustered in the northern corner of the study area. The clustering nature of data probably resulted from the differences in soil characteristics of the study area. The results revealed that available macro and micronutrient status showed wide variations across the study area which was mainly associated with the variation in soil texture, organic matter and calcium carbonate contents of the field. The spatial variation in soil characteristics within the field has clearly been reflected in the yield of corn

Maternal serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate maternal serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with getational diabetes mellitus compared with a control group.Methods: We have measured maternal serum ANP and BNP levels in 35 otherwise healthy and 45 gestational diabetic women between gestational week 24 and 28 referred to our unit in a cross-sectional study. Independent samples t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparison of two groups where appropriate.Results: Mean maternal serum homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HbA1c, fasting glucose and insulin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) group were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.01). Mean maternal serum ANP and BNP levels of women with GDM were significantly lower than the control group (12.99.9 versus 34.8 +/- 16.9pg/ml, p<0.001; 416.6 +/- 209.7 versus 629.7 +/- 162.2mg/dl, p<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum ANP and BNP levels were negatively correlated with insulin levels, HbA1c and HOMA-IR values (p<0.05).Conclusions: Maternal serum ANP and BNP levels are significantly lower in patients with GDM. These biomarkers might be valuable in clinical setting for identifying high-risk women for developing diabetes during pregnancy

Thermoluminescence dose and heating rate dependence and kinetic analysis of ZnB2O4:0.05Dy(3+) phosphor

WOS: 000425072500006The intention of this study is to explore the thermoluminescence (TL) behavior of beta irradiated 5% Dy3+ doped zinc borate (Zn(BO2)(2):0.05Dy(3+)) phosphor prepared using the nitric acid method. The TL glow curve corresponding from 1 Gy to 80 Gy beta irradiation (preheated at 140 degrees C) shows a maxima at c.a. 180 degrees C. The dependence of heating rate was tested and found out that thermal quenching effect was dominating on TL glow curves as the heating rate increases. The dose response of the phosphor material exposed to beta radiation was investigated. Deconvolution was applied using the peak fit method on the glow curve for optimized conditions. Also peak shape (PS), various heating rates (VHR) and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) methods were used to evaluate the trapping level parameters, namely trap depth (E), frequency factor (s) and order of kinetics (b) associated with the main glow curve in Zn(BO2)(2):0.05Dy(3+) phosphor after beta irradiation of 20 Gy. The values of trap depth corresponding with the TL glow peak at 180 degrees C were found to be 0.93 eV, 0.92 +/- 0.05 and 1.05 +/- 0.02 respectively. Furthermore W and c parameters characterizing thermal quenching based on the Mott-Seitz theory were determined as 0.31 +/- 0.04 eV and 162.55. The TL mechanism appears more likely to get second order kinetics, suggesting the probability of re-trapping of charge carriers by emptied traps.Commission of Scientific Research Projects of Uludag University, Turkey [OUAP(F)-2015/31]; Research Fund of the Cukurova University, Turkey [FAY-2015-4735]This work was supported by the Commission of Scientific Research Projects of Uludag University, Turkey (Project number: OUAP(F)-2015/31) and Research Fund of the Cukurova University, Turkey (Project Number: FAY-2015-4735)

Serum endocan concentration in women with pre-eclampsia

Purpose To investigate serum endocan levels in pregnant subjects with and without pre-eclampsia