Radiation-hardened Erbium doped LMA fiber with AlP composition from solution doping process

We report on Erbium doped large-mode-area fibers based on the phosphoalumino-silicates. The radiation induced attenuation are reduced compared to standard highly doped fibers. We measured 22% power conversion efficiency for core pumping at 1532nm

The 18 kDa Translocator Protein (Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor) Expression in the Bone of Normal, Osteoprotegerin or Low Calcium Diet Treated Mice

The presence of the translocator protein (TSPO), previously named as the mitochondrial or peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, in bone cells was studied in vitro and in situ using RT-qPCR, and receptor autoradiography using the selective TSPO ligand PK11195

Readability and understandability of andrology questionnaires

Objective: Medical questionnaires, which enable collection, comparison and analysis of appropriate data as a means of written communication between a patient and a doctor, must be easily readable, and understandable. Here, we measure the readability and understandability of questionnaires used in andrology and examine the relationship between the educational status of the patients and the understandability of the forms. Material and methods: Seven questionnaires (SHIM, AIPE, IIEF, MSHQ-EjD, PEDT, NIH-CPSI and IPSS) used to diagnose andological diseases were selected from the European Association of Urology guidelines. The number of syllables per word, the number of words in a sentence, and the average word and sentence lengths were calculated for each Turkish validated form. Readability scores were calculated, and closet tests were used to measure the understandability of the texts. Results: Three hundred and twenty-seven male volunteers participated in the study. Two hundred and sixteen of the participants (66%) had a high school or college education. The readability level of the seven forms was determined to be '‘Difficult’' or '‘Very Difficult,'' and at least a high school education level was required to understand the forms. As education level and monthly income increased, the understandability of the forms increased; as the readability of the forms became more difficult, their understandability decreased (p<0.001). Conclusion: The readability levels of questionnaires used in andrology are well above the reading level of Turkey. Health providers can help patients to fill out forms to increase doctor-patient communication. © 2019 by Turkish Association of Urology.Bangladesh University of Health SciencesThis study was carried out between June 1, 2017 and February 5, 2018 with approval of the Ethics Committee of Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital of University of Health Sciences (11.04.2107-843). European and American urology guidelines were scanned automatically using the key words “questionnaire,” “inquiry form,” “survey” and “instrument.” Thirty inquiry forms used in the guidelines were identified, including 10 in the field of Andrology. Because the study was planned to be conducted with male volunteers, two forms (the Premature Ejaculation Profile-Women and the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI)) were excluded from the study. The Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), the Arab Index of Premature Ejaculation (AIPE), the International Erectile Function Form (IIEF), the Male Sexual Health Ejaculatory Dysfunction Questionnaire (MSHQ-EjD), the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with Turkish validations were included in the study.Ethics Committee Approval: Ethics committee approval was received for this study from the ethics committee of University of Health Sciences Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital (11.04.2107-843)

Endogenous ochronosis

Endogenous ochronosis or alkaptonuria is a rare, autosomal recessive disease of tyrosine metabolism that is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme homogentisic acid oxidase. The disease results in the accumulation and deposition of homogentisic acid in the cartilage, eyelids, forehead, cheeks, axillae, genital region, buccal mucosa, larynx, tympanic membranes, and tendons. The disease generally presents in adults with arthritis and skin abnormalities; occasionally, involvement of other organs may be seen. A 49-year-old man was referred to our clinic with verrucous lesions on his hands. On physical examination, caviar-like ochronotic papules were found around his eyes and the helix cartilage of his ears, and on the dorsa of both hands. There were brown macules on the sclera (Osler's sign). The patient had arthritis and nephrolithiasis, and a sample of his urine darkened upon standing. Histopathological examination showed deposition of ochronotic pigment. High-dose ascorbic acid was given, and the patient showed improvement on follow-up examination 6 months later

Endocan is markedly overexpressed in severe erectile dysfunction

This study aimed to measure the serum endocan level of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and to investigate the possible association between this and vasculogenic severe ED. We performed a prospective analysis of 86 consecutive patients affected by ED. Patients were divided into severe ED (IIEF-5 score7). A strong negative correlation was found between serum endocan levels and peak systolic velocity (p<.001 and r=-.665) in men with severe ED. Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that tobacco consumption (p<.05), serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (p<.01), serum endocan levels (p<.01), peak systolic velocity (p<.01), hypertension (p<.001), dyslipidaemia (p<.001), metabolic syndrome (p=.026) and a history of a cardiovascular event (p<.001) significantly increase the risk of severe ED. In the multivariate logistic regression model, we also found that age, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular events and higher serum endocan levels were independently associated with severe ED. Circulating endocan may be used in daily practice as a new marker that correlates with cardiovascular risks and the severity of ED disease