How was the Anatolian Side of Istanbul Formed? A Geomorphologic Assessment (NW Turkey)

AbstractThis study investigates the Geomorphological evolution of Anatolian side of Istanbul. This area is one of the most problematic and most discussed areas in the Near East geography. There is no detailed contemporary geological study undertaken in the area although there are various publications regarding the study area in terms of geomorphology. Current study aims to explicated the geomorphologic features of the study area. In addition to examining the related literature in terms of subject and field, topography maps scaled 1/25.000 were utilized in the study as main materials. Geological characteristics were compiled from geological maps with various scales and reports generated by different researchers. Mapping phase of the study was undertaken with the help of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software ArcGIS/ArcMAP 10 package program. Obtained data were checked in situ via field surveys and missing points were completed. It was observed that Anatolian side of Istanbul was a product of elements and processes that completely developed in the new tectonic period. The field was observed to be the product of various morphological transformations, different developments and different elements and processes with a topography which has various landforms and polycyclic features due to a lengthy and discontinuous process. Time concept which started with the first lithological storage in Lower Ordovician continued with the deformation related to the right lateral heave around the Marmara Sea and with the clockwise rotation of the study area in Middle-Upper Miocene. The distortion caused by relief inversion during the geomorphologic development caused the formation of embedded valleys in places as a result of drainage gaining a new energy. The study area has obtained its contemporary geomorphologic form

Meandering morphology of Gönen Creek and factors affecting meandering

Yeryüzünü şekillendiren en etkin dış kuvvet olan akarsuların yatak şekillerinden birisi de menderes tipinde olanlarıdır. Akarsuların yaptığı menderesler ile akarsu jeomorfolojisinin kanunları arasında sıkı bir ilişki vardır. Akarsuların mendereslenmesi üzerinde etkili olan etmen ve süreçlerin belirlenmesinde, buradaki röliyefin saptanmasında bu bağıntılar açıklayıcı ölçütler durumundadır. Yine aşınım döngüsü safhasının belirlenmesinde de menderesli akarsular ve menderes morfolojisi kıymetli ipuçları vermektedir. Bu çalışmada Gönen Çayı'nın mendereslenme özelliklerinin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda mendereslenmeyi etkileyen faktörler ile mendereslenme morfolojisini ortaya koyan morfometrik özellikler, kıvrımlık indeksi ve mendereslenme oranı belirlenmiştir. Çalışmanın ilk aşamasında inceleme alanında mendereslenmeyi etkileyen faktörler açıklanmış ve etkilerine göre değerlendirilmiştir. Bu aşamada 1/25.000 ölçekli topografya haritaları ile Sayısal Yükseklik Modeli (GDEM) verileri kullanılmıştır. Çalışma sonuçları Gönen Çayı'nın bu mendereslenme morfolojisinin onun alt mecrasında genel taban seviyesine bağlı oluşan taşkın ovasında teşekkül ettiğini göstermiştir. Burada eğim değerleri küçülmüş, hız azalmış, akım miktarı artmış fakat beraberinde taşınan yük miktarı da artmıştır. Gerek suyun, gerekse suyun içindeki yükün kinetik enerjisinin azalması mevcut enkazı nakletmesine yetmemiş  böylece mendereslenme meydana gelmiştir.  Ayrıca Gönen Çayı'nın aşağı mecrasındaki kıvrımlılık indeksi 1/1.7 ve 20 adet menderes kıvrımının yer aldığı sahadaki ortalama mendereslenme oranının ise 1/14 olduğunu belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, eğimin azalmasına bağlı olarak Gönen Çayı'nın yaptığı mendereslerin sayısının az, fakat her menderesin geniş  ve büyük olduğunu göstermektedir. Akarsuyun geometrik özelliklerine ait değerlerin menderes boyutunun arttığı lokasyonlarda büyüdüğü, boyutun azaldığı alanlarda ise muhtemelen yük boyutları ile olan ilişkiye bağlı olarak küçüldüğü tespit edilmiştir.Rivers, the most effective external elements shaping the earth, have also meander- shaped beds. There is a strong relationship between the meanders created by rivers and the rules of river geomorphology. These associations act as explanatory criteria in the identification of the relief in the area and in the determination of factors and processes that are effective in river meandering. Rivers with meanders and morphology of meandering also present valuable tips in the identification of erosion cycle phases. Current study aims to identify meandering characteristics of Gönen Creek. In line with the aims of the research, factors that affect meandering were examined along with the identification of sinuosity and meandering rates, morphometric features which present the morphology of meandering. In the first part of the study, factors that affected meandering in the research area were explained and assesses according to their effects. In this phase ofthe study,topography mapsscaled 1/25.000 and Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) data were utilized. Study resultsshow that morphology of meandering in Gönen Creek is formed in the flood valley formed according to general floor/base level in its lower channels. Here, slope values are found to be lessened, speed decreases and amount of flow increases however the amount of load that istransported increases. The decreases of kinetic energy both in the water and in the load carried in the water result in meandering since the kinetic energy is notsufficient anymore to transport the existing debris. Sinuosity rate in the lower channels of the Gönen Creek wasidentified to be 1/1.7 and the average meandering rate in the area that includes 20 meanders was identified to be 1/14. Results show that the number of meanders created by Gönen Creek due to decreases in the slope is small but each meander is large and wide. It was also seen that values based on the geometric characteristics of the river expand in locations where the meander size increases but they lessen in locations where the meander sizes decrease probably based on the relationship with the load size

99mTc-exendin-4: Radiolabeling and quality control studies of glucagon-like peptide analog

Aim: Exendin-4 is a type 2 diabetes antidiabetic drug that is a peptide agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R). Up to date, different exendin-4 compounds have been radiolabeled with many radioisotopes such as 68Ga, 18F, 64Cu and 99mTc for various purposes like study of over expression of GLP-1R in insulinoma. The purpose of this study is to radiolabel exendin-4 with 99mTc under appropriate conditions. Methods: In this study, exendin-4 was labeled with 99mTc, and quality control tests of 99mTc-exendin-4 were done using ascending radioactive thin layer chromatography (RTLC). Also, the effects of important parameters such as the amount of reducing agent, pH value, incubation time, and radiation dose on the labeling efficiency were investigated. Then, the stability of 99mTc-exendin-4 was assessed. Results: According to the results, 99mTc-exendin-4 was prepared with over 95 percent labeling efficiency by a novel, easy, and quick direct method with 30-min incubation time at pH 6.6. To achieve the best radiolabeling condition; 10 µg of exendin-4, 50 µg of stannous chloride (reducing agent) and 37 MBq 99mTc was used. The RTLC studies indicated that 99mTc-exendin-4 is stable up to 6 h in room temperature. Conclusion: The obtained results demonstrated that radiolabeled exendin-4 may be a promising agent for GLP-1R imaging studies. Further studies are in progress in order to evaluate receptor binding capacity and biodistribution of the complex in experimental animals

Computational Study of Radiopharmaceuticals

Radiopharmaceuticals contain radionuclides and pharmaceuticals. Research on radiopharmaceuticals has been increasing in recent years by increasing the importance of early diagnosis in diseases. It is generally accepted that investigation and development of new radiopharmaceuticals are time and resource consuming. Computational methods have provided exciting contributions to pharmaceutical research and development. The need for designing new radiopharmaceutical drugs enhances the importance of computational programs. At this point, the structure, chemical, physical and physicochemical properties of molecules should be predicted/evaluated by using computational methods. While these methods obtain useful estimates, they make it easier for researchers and clinicians to make the right choices. Also, by providing accurate and effective results, they contribute to reduce the cost of research and can be used to simulate complex biochemical situations before research helping us to avoid harmful effects of drugs. In this study, authors emphasis about radiopharmaceuticals and the computational tools related to the development of new radiopharmaceuticals

Erector spinae plane block vs interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia management in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy

Background Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is the gold standard method used for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block. The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ESPB and ISB after shoulder arthroscopy. The primary outcome is the comparison of the perioperative and postoperative opioid consumptions. Methods Sixty patients with ASA score I-II planned for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in the study. ESPB was planned in Group ESPB (n = 30), and ISB was planned in Group ISB (n = 30). Intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia was administered to both groups in the postoperative period. Intraoperative and postoperative opioid and analgesic consumption of both groups, side effects and complications related to opioid use, postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic use were recorded in the first 48 h postoperatively. Results Pain scores were significantly higher in the ESPB group in the first 4 h postoperatively than in the ISB group (p < 0.05). The total fentanyl consumption and number of patients using rescue analgesics in the postoperative period were significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). The incidence of nausea in the postoperative period was significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). Conclusions In our study, it was seen that ISB provided more effective analgesia management compared to ESPB in patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy surgery

The efficacy of ultrasound-guided anterior quadratus lumborum block for pain management following lumbar spinal surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is a fascial plane block. There is no randomized study on the efficacy of QLB for lumbar surgery. We evaluated the efficacy of QLB for postoperative pain management and patient satisfaction after lumbar disc herniation surgery (LDHS). Methods: Sixty patients with ASA score I-II planned for LDHS under general anesthesia were included. We allocated the patients into two groups: the QLB group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). QLB was performed with 30 ml 0.25% bupivacaine in the QLB group. Paracetamol 1 g IV 3 × 1 was ordered to the patients at the postoperative period. If the NRS score was ≥ 4, 1 mg/ kg tramadol IV was administered as rescue analgesia. Results: There was a reduction in the median static NRS at 0 h and 2 h with QLB compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the resting NRS at any other time point up to 24 h. The median dynamic NRS was significantly lower at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h in the QLB group (p < 0.05). The need for rescue analgesia was significantly lower in the QLB group. The incidence of nausea was significantly higher in the control group. The postoperative patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the QLB group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We found that the QLB is effective for pain control following LDHS

Serum Oxidative Stress Levels in Patients with Nasal Septal Deviation

Objective:Comparison of the total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and paraoxonase (PON1) serum levels in patients with nasal septum deviation (NSD) and healthy subjects.Methods:The TAS, TOS, and PON1 serum levels of 47 patients with NSD (mean age 35.3) and 50 healthy subjects (mean age 37.8) were compared in this study.Results:We found significantly higher TAS levels in the control group (p<0.001). The mean TAS value was 1.196 mmoL/L in the control group, whereas it was 1.046 mmoL/L in the NSD group. On the other hand, TOS was significantly higher in the NSD group (p<0.001). We found that the mean TOS value was 6.600 mmoL/L in the control group, and 20.194 mmoL/L in the NSD group. The NSD and control groups had similar PON1 levels (p=0.446). The mean PON1 value was 279.64 U/L in the control group, and 324.21 U/L in the NSD group.Conclusion:We detected higher TOS and lower TAS levels in patients with NSD compared to healthy subjects. These results indicate that patients with NSD are exposed to oxidative stress

Video yardımcılı torakal cerrahi sonrası postoperatif analjezi yönetimi için ultrasonografi rehberliğinde yapılan erektor spina plan bloğu ve torakal paravertebral blok etkinliği: Prospektif, randomize, kontrollü çalışma

Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) compared to no intervention control group for postoperative pain management in video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) patients. Method: Three groups - Group ESPB, Group TPVB and the control group (n=30 per group) were included in this prospective, randomized, controlled study. The US-guided blocks were performed preoperatively in the ESPB and TPVB groups. Intravenous patient-controlled postoperative analgesia via fentanyl was administered in all of the patients. The patients were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, and adverse events. Results: At all time intervals fentanyl consumption and VAS scores were significantly lower both in ESPB and TPVB groups compared to the control group (p<0.001). Block procedure time was significantly lower and success of one time puncture was higher in Group ESPB as compared with that in Group TPVB (p<0.001). Conclusion: ESPB and TPVB provide more effective analgesia compared to control group in patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery. ESPB had a shorter procedural time and higher success of single-shot technique compared to TPVB.Amaç: Video yardımcılı torakal cerrahi yapılan hastalarda postoperatif analjezi yönetimi içinultrasonografi (US) eşliğinde yapılan erektor spina plan bloğu (ESPB) ve torakal paravertebralbloğun (TPVB) kontrol grubuna göre etkinliğinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır.Yöntem: Bu çalışmaya her grup için 30 hasta olmak üzere toplam 90 hasta dahil edilmiştir.Çalışma 3 gruptan oluşmaktadır; Grup ESPB, Grup TPVB ve Kontrol Grubu. ESPB ve TPVB gruplarındaki hastalara preoperatif olarak US eşliğinde blok yapıldı. Tüm gruplardaki hastalara fentaniliçeren hasta kontrollü analjezi (HKA) uygulandı. Hastalar vizuel analog skala (VAS), opioid tüketimi ve yan etkiler kaydedilerek değerlendirildi.Bulgular: Tüm zaman aralıklarında fentanil tüketimi ve VAS Grup ESPB ve Grup TPVB de kontrolgrubuna göre anlamlı olarak daha düşüktü (p<0.001). Blok işlem süresi ESPB grubunda anlamlıolarak daha kısaydı ve iğne ile tek giriş başarısı ESPB grubunda TPVB grubuna göre anlamlı olarakdaha yüksekti (p<0.001).Sonuç: ESPB ve TPVB, video yardımcılı torakal cerrahi yapılan hastalarda kontrol grubuna göreetkili analjezi oluşturmaktadır. ESPB, TPVB’ye göre daha kısa işlem süresi ve tek iğne girişi ile dahayüksek başarı oranına sahiptir

Compatibility Between Physical Stimulus Size – Spatial Position and False Recognitions

Magnitude processing is of great interest to researchers because it requires integration of quantity related information in memory regardless of whether the focus is numerical or non-numerical magnitudes. The previous work has suggested an interplay between pre-existing semantic information about number–space relationship in processes of encoding and recall. Investigation of the compatibility between physical stimulus size – spatial position and false recognition may provide valuable information about the cognitive representation of non-numerical magnitudes. Therefore, we applied a false memory procedure to a series of non-numerical stimulus pairs. Three versions of the pairs were used: big-right (a big character on the right/a small character on the left), big-left (a big character on the left/a small character on the right), and equal-sized (an equal sized character on each side). In the first phase, participants (N = 100) received 27 pairs, with nine pairs from each experimental condition. In the second phase, nine pairs from each of three stimulus categories were presented: (1) original pairs that were presented in the first phase, (2) mirrored pairs that were horizontally flipped versions of the pairs presented in the first phase, and (3) novel pairs that had not been presented before. The participants were instructed to press “YES” for the pairs that they remembered seeing before and to press “NO” for the pairs that they did not remember from the first phase. The results indicated that the participants made more false-alarm responses by responding “yes” to the pairs with the bigger one on the right. Moreover, they responded to the previously seen figures with the big one on the right faster compared to their distracting counterparts. The study provided evidence for the relationship between stimulus physical size and how they processed spatially by employing a false memory procedure. We offered a size–space compatibility account based on the congruency between the short- and long-term associations which produce local compatibilities. Accordingly, the compatible stimuli in the learning phase might be responsible for the interference, reflecting a possible short-term interference effect on congruency between the short- and long-term associations. Clearly, future research is required to test this speculative position

Patient use of complementary and alternative medicine for psoriasis vulgaris and factors believed to trigger the disease: A multicenter cross-sectional study with 1621 patients

Introduction: Due to the chronic recurrent nature of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and lack of definitive treatment for the disease, patients often resort to alternative treatments. Physicians seem to have low awareness of this issue. Objectives: To elicit the perceptions of 1,621 PV patients on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and examine factors reported to worsen PV. Methods: The patients sociodemographic characteristics, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), disease duration, and severity were recorded, and the patients CAM use was questioned in detail. The patients were also asked about factors that worsened PV and their experiences with a gluten-free diet. Results: Of the patients, 56.51% had used CAM. The mean age, illness duration, PASI scores and DLQI of those using CAM were significantly higher. CAM use was significantly higher in those with facial, genital involvement, and arthralgia/arthritis. The patients mostly referred to CAM when PV became severe (46.4%). Of the CAM users, 45.52% used herbal topicals. The physicians of 67.03% did not inquire whether they used CAM. Of the participants, 37.73% considered that stress worsened their disease. Gluten-free diet did not affect PV symptoms in 52.22%. Conclusions: Patients CAM use is often overlooked by dermatologists. Our results showed that more than half the patients used CAM and did not share this information with their physicians. Therefore, the awareness of physicians should be increased and patients should be asked about the use of CAM and directed to the appropriate medical treatment options by physicians