The impact of sweeping the membranes on cervical length and labor: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate to what extent sweeping of the membranes contributes to cervical shortening and if cervical shortening is related to the time to onset of labor and duration of the active phase of labor. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was performed at Baskent University between February and March 2011. Women were randomly assigned to receive membrane sweeping (Sweeping Group) (n=69) or no membrane sweeping (Control Group) (n=71). Cervical length was measured (cervix1) in both groups by examiner 1 and the Bishop Score was determined in the control group and sweeping was performed in the sweeping group by examiner 2. Two days later the patients had another cervical length measurement (cervix 2) by examiner 1, blinded to the group and results of the examiner 2. t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analyses. Results: Cervix 1 was 27.4}8.4 mm and 29.6}8.9 mm (p= 0.14), cervix 2 was 23.3}8.8 mm and 23.8}8.5mm (p= 0.28) and cervical shortening was 5}4 mm and 5}4mm (p= 0.446), time to onset of labor was 6.3}4.6 and 5.7}4.1 (p= 0.38) and duration of labor was 5.8} 2.89 and 5.7} 2.4 (p= 0.82) for the sweeping and the control groups, respectively. Conclusions: Sweeping of the membranes does not reduce cervical length and does not shorten time to onset of labor and duration of the active phase of labor. NCT01309308: Sweeping the Membranes, Cervical Length and Duration of Labor

THE EFFECTS OF SEA WATER ON THE MORTARS MADE WITH DIFFERENT TYPE OF CEMENTS

Deniz suyunda bulunan sülfat iyonları çimento harçlarında ve betonda genleşme yaratarak çatlak, dökülme vb. hasarlar oluşturan başlıca problemlerden biridir. Betonların deniz suyu etkilerine dayanıklılığı için düşük su/çimento oranları ile geçirimsiz olacak şekilde üretilmesinin yanı sıra kullanılan çimento tipinin de önemli bir rolü vardır. Bu çalışmada, beş farklı tip çimento kullanılarak iki farklı su/çimento oranında çimento harcı örnekleri üretilmiştir. Hazırlanan örnekler 28 günlük kür süresinden sonra ıslanma-kuruma şeklinde deniz suyu etkisinde bırakılmıştır. Deniz suyunun örnekler üzerindeki etkisi; basınç dayanımı, kılcal yolla su emme, hızlı klor geçirimliliği ve boyutsal kararlılık deneyleri yapılarak belirlenmiştir. Deney sonuçları deniz suyu etkisinde puzolan katkılı çimentolarla hazırlanan örneklerin portland çimentosuyla hazırlanan örneklerden daha iyi performans sağladığını göstermiştir. Sulfate ion in seawater is one of the main problems that affect the cement mortars and concrete by creating expansion cracks and spills. For the durability of concrete under the effects of sea water, the type of cement used in the concrete production have an important role as well as at low water / cement ratio which is necessary to be impervious. In this study, the mortar specimens have been produced by the using of five different types of cement at two water/cement proportions. After the 28-days curing, the samples have been exposed to sea water effect in the form of wetting and drying. The effects of sea water on the sample properties have been determined by experiments such as compressive strength, capillary water absorption, rapid chloride permeability and dimensional stability. The results of the experiments showed that using of the pozzolan blended cements could be obtained a better performance from the samples made with the portland cement

Uzun-kısa süreli bellek ağları kullanarak Asi Nehri'nde akım tahmini

Su kaynaklarının kontrol altına alınabilmesi ve sürdürülebilir kullanımının sağlanabilmesi için nehir akış tahmini gereklidir. Uzun süreli akış tahmini, hem kısa hem de uzun vadede su kaynakları planlaması ve yönetimi için büyük önem taşımaktadır. Nehir havzalarında geleneksel olarak yapılan anlık akım ölçümleri çok zaman almakta ve yüksek maliyet gerektirmektedir. Anlık yapılan ölçümler yerine, günümüz teknolojisiyle akış tahmini yapabilen yapay zekâ programları oldukça önemli gelişmeler ortaya koymaktadır. Gelişmeleri destekleyen ve kullanımı yaygınlaşan derin öğrenme sinir ağlarından uzun kısa süreli bellek (LSTM) sinir ağı performansı, günlük ve aylık ölçeklerde nehir akımlarının akış tahmini için değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Asi nehir havzası sınırları içinde kalan D19A006 No'lu Afrin akım gözlem istasyonu'ndan (AGİ) alınan günlük akım verileri ile LSTM modeli oluşturularak, modelin tahmin performansı analiz edilmiştir. Modelde kullanılan 2006-2018 yılları arasını kapsayan akım değerleri, test veri seti olarak kullanılmıştır. Oluşturulan model, Adam ve Adamax iyileştiricileri kullanılarak MSE, Huber ve LogCosh kayıp fonksiyonları ile test edilmiştir. En iyi tahmin modeli belirlenirken, gözlemlenen veriler ve tahmin modelleri karşılaştırılarak istatistiksel değerlendirme kriterleri belirlenmiştir. Değerlendirme kriterleri göz önüne alındığında Adamax iyileştiricisinin LogCosh kayıp fonksiyonunun daha iyi performansa sahip olduğu ve R² 0.9949 elde edildiği görülmüştür. Ayrıca, model analizine göre LSTM'nin günlük akış tahmininde farklı senaryolarla analizinde performans etkisinin genişletilebileceği ve su kaynaklarının sürdürülebilirliğini sağlamaya yardımcı olabileceği görülmüştür.River flow estimation is necessary in order to control water resources and to ensure sustainable use. Long-term flow forecasting is of great importance for water resources planning and management in both the short and long term. Traditional instantaneous flow measurements in river basins take a lot of time and require high costs. Instead of instantaneous measurements, artificial intelligence programs that can predict flow with today's technology reveal very important developments. Long-short term memory (LSTM) neural networks from deep learning neural networks, which support developments and are widespread in use, are adopted to predict the flow of river flows on daily and monthly scales. In this study, the LSTM model was created with daily flow data from Afrin flow measurement station (FMS) no D19A006, which is within the boundaries of the Asi river basin, and the predictive performance of the model was analyzed. The flow values used in the model between 2006-2018 were used as test data set. For the study, was tested with MSE, Huber and LogCosh loss functions using Adam and Adamax optimizer. When determining the best forecast model, statistical evaluation criterion were determined by comparing the observed data and forecast models. Considering the evaluation criterion, the LogCosh loss function of the Adamax optimizer was found to have better performance and R² 0,9949 was achieved. Also, according to the model analysis, LSTM analysis of daily flow forecasting with different scenarios has shown that the performance impact can be expanded and help ensure the sustainability of water resources

Diagnostyka prenatalna potworniaka regionu krzyżowo-guzicznego – dwa przypadki o różnym przebiegu

Abstract Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most common fetal tumour. It may be readily diagnosed by two-dimensional ultrasonography in the early second trimester. Three-dimensional ultrasonography is recommended as a supplemental examination to obtain further detailed information for multidisciplinary management of SCT. In the following article we present two cases of sacrococcygeal teratomas which exhibited two different courses. In the first case, sacrococcygeal teratoma was diagnosed in the early second trimester. The condition of the fetus worsened during the follow-up and the parents opted for the termination of the pregnancy. The other one presented at a later gestational age. The baby was born alive, immediately operated upon and did well until the age of 1, when we checked her condition for the last time.Potworniak regionu krzyżowo-guzicznego (SCT) jest najczęstszym guzem występującym u płodu. Może być łatwo zdiagnozowany za pomocą ultrasonografii dwuwymiarowej we wczesnym drugim trymestrze. Rekomenduje się wykonanie ultrasonografii trójwymiarowej jako uzupełniającego badania dostarczającego szczegółowych informacji ważnych dla wielodyscyplinarnego postępowania w przypadku SCT. W bieżącym artykule przedstawiamy dwa przypadki potworniaka krzyżowo-guzicznego o różnym przebiegu. W pierwszym przypadku guz został rozpoznany we wczesnym drugim trymestrze ciąży. Stan płodu ulegał stopniowemu pogorszeniu wraz z czasem trwania ciąży, dlatego rodzice zdecydowali się na zakończenie ciąży. W drugim przypadku guz ujawnił się w późniejszym okresie ciąży. Noworodek urodził się żywy, został niezwłocznie zoperowany i rozwija się prawidłowo, co potwierdzono w trakcie wizyty kontrolnej po skończeniu przez dziecko pierwszego roku życia

The impact of sweeping the membranes on cervical length and labor: a randomize clinical trial

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate to what extent sweeping of the membranes contributes to cervical shortening and if cervical shortening is related to the time to onset of labor and duration of the active phase of labor. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was performed at Baskent University between February and March 2011. Women were randomly assigned to receive membrane sweeping (Sweeping Group) (n=69) or no membrane sweeping (Control Group) (n=71). Cervical length was measured (cervix 1) in both groups by examiner 1 and the Bishap Score was determined in the control group and sweeping was performed in the sweeping group by examiner 2. Two days later the patients had another cervical length measurement (cervix 2) by examiner 1, blinded to the group and results of the examiner 2. t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analyses. Results: Cervix 1 was 27.4 +/- 8.4 mm and 29.6 +/- 8.9 mm (p = 0.14), cervix 2 was 23.3 +/- 8.8 mm and 23.8 +/- 8.5mm (p = 0.28) and cervical shortening was 5 +/- 4 mm and 5 +/- 4mm (p = 0.446), time to onset of labor was 6.3 +/- 4.6 and 5.7 +/- 4.1 (p = 0.38) and duration of labor was 5.8 +/- 2.89 and 5.7 +/- 2.4 (p = 0.82) for the sweeping and the control groups, respectively. Conclusions: Sweeping of the membranes does not reduce cervical length and does not shorten time to onset of labor and duration of the active phase of labor

Concordance hypoplastic left heart syndrome in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy: A rare case report

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital birth defect, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a relatively common form of CHD, with an estimated incidence of 0.1–0.25 per 1,000 live births. However, twin pregnancies in which both fetuses are affected by HLHS are very rare. Herein, we present the first reported case of dichorionic dizygotic twins concordant for this condition

Homocysteine levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with metformin versus rosiglitazone: a randomized study

BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) have been implicated as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although long-term treatment with metformin can increase Hcy levels in patients with type II diabetes mellitus or coronary heart disease, it is becoming an increasingly accepted and widespread medication in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In the literature, only one study has demonstrated that metformin increases Hcy levels in PCOS patients, but the effect of other insulin sensitizers on Hcy levels have not been reported previously in women with PCOS. We aimed to assess the effects of metformin and rosiglitazone on plasma Hcy levels in patients with PCOS. METHODS: Thirty women were randomized to two groups: 15 women in group 1 received 850 mg of metformin twice daily for 3 months. In group 2, 15 women received 4 mg of rosiglitazone for 3 months. In both groups, body mass index, menstrual pattern, and plasma total Hcy, insulin, glucose and lipid metabolism parameters were recorded at baseline and at 3 months. RESULTS: Hcy levels increased from 8.93 6 0.49 to 11.26 6 0.86 mmol/l (P 5 0.002) and from 10.70 6 0.86 to 12.36 6 0.81 mmol/l (P 5 0.01) in the metformin and rosiglitazone groups, respectively. Apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 levels increased from 127.10 6 6.85 to 145.7 6 7.18 mg/dl (P 5 0.018) in the metformin group. Total cholesterol (total-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein (a) and Apo B levels decreased in the metformin group, but the change was not significant. Total-C levels decreased from 161.15 6 8.94 to 150.23 6 8.73 mg/dl (P 5 0.026), HDL-C decreased from 43.13 6 2.65 to 39.15 6 2.52 mg/dl (P 5 0.005) and LDL-C levels decreased from 93.83 6 6.06 to 80.7 6 2.30 mg/dl (P 5 0.021) in the rosiglitazone group. CONCLUSION: Treatment with insulin sensitizers in women with PCOS may lead to increases in Hcy levels