Effects of the acute exposure to the electromagnetic field of mobile phones on human auditory brainstem responses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of the electromagnetic fields (EMF) of mobile phones on human auditory brainstem responses. This prospective study of healthy adults evaluated the influence of EMF. Eighteen healthy adult volunteers participated in this study. Mobile telephones emitting signals in the region of 900MHz and with the highest SAR value of 0.82W/kg were positioned in direct contact to the right ear, which was exposed to the phone signal for 15min before and after ABR testing with click stimuli of 60 and 80dB nHL intensities. The latencies of the waves and interwave latencies were measured on screen by an experienced audiologist. The differences of the mean latencies of waves I, III and IV were not significant in initial and post-exposure ABR measurements at both 60 and 80dB nHL stimulus levels ( P >0.05). Similarly, differences of the mean interwave intervals I-III, I-V and III-V remained insignificant at the initial and postexposure ABR measurements at stimulus levels of both 60 and 80dB nHL ( P >0.05). Acute exposure to the EMF of mobile phones does not cause perturbations in ABR latencies. However, these negative results should not encourage excessive mobile communication, because minor biological and neurophysiological influences may not be detectable by the current technolog

The diagnostic value of serum copeptin levels in an acute pulmonary embolism

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a common disease which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Circulating level of copeptin, which was demonstrated to be elevated in heart failure, acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, were reported to be independent predictors of poor outcome in recent studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical utility of copeptin in the diagnosis of APE. Methods: A total of 90 consecutive patients, admitted to emergency service due to acute chest pain and/or dyspnea and who underwent pulmonary computerized tomography angiography (CTA) due to suspicion of APE, were included in this prospective study. The patients diagnosed with APE were defined as APE (+) group and the remaining individuals with normal pulmonary CTA result were defined as APE (–) group. Results: Copeptin levels (7.76 ± 4.4 vs. 3.81 ± 1.34 ng/dL; p < 0.001) were higher in the APE (+) group as compared to the APE (–) group. Copeptin was significantly positively correlated with B-type natriuretic peptide (r = 0.434, p < 0.001), D-dimer (r = 0.315, p = 0.003) and troponin I (r = 0.300, p = 0.004) and inversely correlated with arterial oxygen saturations (r = –0.533, p < 0001). When the correlation of copeptin with right ventricular dysfunction parameters was investigated, it was significantly inversely correlated with the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (r = –0.521, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with right to left ventricle ratio (r = 0.329, p = 0.024). Copeptin (OR 1.836, 95% CI 1.171–2.878, p = 0.008) was found as a significant independent predictor of APE in a multivariate analysis, after adjusting for other risk parameters.  Conclusions: Copeptin is a promising new biomarker, which may be used to support the need for further investigations and to improve the diagnosis of patients with APE.

Live Cell Imaging of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells on Nano-pitted and Polished Titanium Surfaces: A Micro-Incubator in vitro Approach

Current orthopedic implants are not conducive for optimal integration of the biomaterial with newly-formed tissue (osseointegration) inside a patient’s body. In this study, medical-rade Ti-6Al-4V was used as a substrate due to its biocompatibility and ability to facilitate cellular adhesion and proliferation. Live cell imaging was conducted on bone marrow stromal cells, genetically modified to express the green fluorescent protein (GFP), from the 24-96 hours growth period, with the first 24 hours of growth being held inside a lab-scale incubator. Periodic images were recorded on nanopitted anodized and polished Ti-6Al-4V substrates to study how substratestiffness influences adhesion and proliferation. Collected images were analyzed for mitosis, adhesion, and filopodia-stretchability using ImageJ, an image processing program. Images were enhanced in order to perform cell counts at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of growth. Continuous recordings were produced to account for the number of mitosis occurrences and cellular migration on each of the substrates. Based on the conducted experiments, it appears that polished Ti-6Al-4V has a higher cell adherence than “nanopitted” anodized surface and an improved rate of proliferation which may be because the cells once adhered on the nano-pitted surface have less ability to detach in-order to undergo mitosis.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2014/1004/thumbnail.jp

Investigation of Some Pollution Parameters in Water and Sediment Samples Collected From the Lower Gediz River Basin

The River Gediz, is the second greatest river of Aegean Region, is under threat of pollution caused by institutions of region, domestic waste, agricultural chemicals and artificial fertilizers. All kinds of substances which are above standardized limit values for water can make pollution. These pollutant levels could determine water usage aims. Heavy metals in trace level are the most hazardous of these matters. In our study, the physical and chemical parameters of water and the level of heavy metal concentration in water and sediment samples are analyzed in five different stations of Gediz River. The average level of some parameters are; BOD: 67.7 mg/L, COD: 88.7 mg/L, pH: 7.6, turbidity: 440 mg/L SiO(2). In water samples, the metals in high level are; Pb: 27.0+/-%0.8 mu g/L at Nif River, Cr: 48.9+/-%0.9 mu g/L at Muradiye Bridge, Cd: 12.1+/-%0.6 mu g/L at Istanbul Bridge, Cu: 90.2+/-%0.4 mu g/L at Muradiye Bridge, Ni: 309.8+/-%0.7 mu g/L, Fe: 914.1+/-%0.3 mu g/L, Zn: 208.3+/-%0.5 mu g/L in Karacay. The quality of water is at the level of four, according to Water Pollution Control Regulations. The sediment and soil samples taken from different station were also compared. It is seen that, the organic matter which is accumulated at the bottom of the river, increase the concentration of the metals

25-Gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy

PURPOSE. To evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and safety of the transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) system for a variety of vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS. In this retrospective study, the authors evaluated 71 eyes of 63 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with the 25-gauge TSV system. The indications for surgical intervention were diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (29 eyes), diabetic macular edema (14 eyes), macular epiretinal membrane (13 eyes), endophthalmitis (5 eyes), vitreous opacities secondary to Behçet's disease (4 eyes), vitreous hemorrhage secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (4 eyes), and vitreous hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration (2 eyes). Epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane removal, endolaser photocoagulation, and air-fluid exchange were performed when required. RESULTS. Mean follow-up was 3.6 months (range 1-8 months). Mean overall visual acuity (VA) was counting fingers (range light perception to 0.4) preoperatively and 0.2 (range 0.1 to 0.8) postoperatively (p=0.000). Statistically significant VA improvement was observed in eyes with vitreous hemorrhage, diabetic macular edema, and macular epiretinal membrane. VA improved postoperatively in all eyes with endophthalmitis and vitreous opacities secondary to Behçet's disease. The surgery was completed without conjunctival and scleral suturing in all eyes. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 17.2 mmHg (range 10-26 mmHg) preoperatively, 12.4 mmHg (range 6-24 mmHg) on the first postoperative day, 16.6 mmHg (range 10-33 mmHg) at 1 week, and 15.4 mmHg (range 10-20 mmHg) at 1 month postoperatively. On the first postoperative day, IOP was below 10 mmHg (between 6 and 9 mmHg) in 12 eyes (16.9%). In these eyes, IOP was normalized within 1 week without affecting the visual outcome. Five eyes (7%) had transient increase of IOP controlled by topical antiglaucomatous medications. Vitreous washout using 25-gauge TSV system was performed in two eyes, in which vitreous hemorrhage recurred. CONCLUSIONS. The TSV system was observed to be feasible, effective, and safe for a variety of vitreoretinal diseases. This minimally invasive and completely sutureless (transconjunctival) technique appears to decrease the convalescence period, operating time, and post-operative inflammatory response, and improve patient comfort. © Wichtig Editore, 2006