Nasoalveolar Molding Treatment for a Patient With Amniotic Band Syndrome: A Case Report

Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is an uncommon congenital malformation characterized by clubfoot deformity, hand and finger anomalies, and cleft lip and palate. In this study, the literature about ABS—possible etiology, treatment protocols, and medical procedures—is discussed. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficiency of nasoalveolar molding therapy for a patient with cleft lip and palate and ABS. Changes were evaluated before, during, and after the treatment period using a three-dimensional surface imaging system

Leg Motion Classification with Artificial Neural Networks Using Wavelet-Based Features of Gyroscope Signals

We extract the informative features of gyroscope signals using the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) decomposition and provide them as input to multi-layer feed-forward artificial neural networks (ANNs) for leg motion classification. Since the DWT is based on correlating the analyzed signal with a prototype wavelet function, selection of the wavelet type can influence the performance of wavelet-based applications significantly. We also investigate the effect of selecting different wavelet families on classification accuracy and ANN complexity and provide a comparison between them. The maximum classification accuracy of 97.7% is achieved with the Daubechies wavelet of order 16 and the reverse bi-orthogonal (RBO) wavelet of order 3.1, both with similar ANN complexity. However, the RBO 3.1 wavelet is preferable because of its lower computational complexity in the DWT decomposition and reconstruction

Evaluation of the prick test results of patients with allergic rhinitis in Van province

INTRODUCTION: This study was carried out to detect allergen distribution of the patients admitted with allergic rhinitis symptoms and to determine the age, gender distribution and smoking rates in allergic patients, and to contribute to compose an allergy map in Van region. METHODS: 220 patients allergic to at least one allergen according to prick test results were included between May 2014- December 2015. RESULTS: 59.1% (n=130) of 220 patients were male and 40.9% (n=90) were female. Male/female ratio was 3: 2. Prevalence of smokers were 31.1% (n=28) among females and 40.7% (n=53) among males. According to prick test results; sensitivity to meadow was 20% (n=44), to mixed herbs 16.3% (n=36), to mites 13.6% (n=30), to flower mixture 10% (n=22), to egg yolk 9.1% (n=20), to cat 8.2% (n=18), to Aspergillus 7.3% (n=16), to peanut 7.3% (n=16), to tomato 1.8% (n= 4), to almond 1.8% (n=4), to Alternaria 1.8% (n=4), to Clasdioporum 1.3% (n=3), to egg white 1.3% (n= 3). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Among 220 patients according to prick test, male predominance was detected and smoking prevalence was between 30% - 40%. In our study, the most common susceptibility was detected against meadow, secondly against mixed herbs and thirdly against house mites. Also, nutritional allergens (egg yolk, peanut, tomato, almond and egg white) were important factors with 21% frequency in Van region. Determination of herbal allergens and mites on the first ranks, although different climate and environmental status of Van, was parallel to the other studies in the literature

Quantitative analysis of macro steel fiber influence on crack geometry and water permeability of concrete

"Available online 29 December 2017"In this work, the water permeability of the cracked concrete has been investigated. Three types of cylindrical specimens with different fiber content were pre-cracked by the feedback controlled splitting test, and the specimens without any fiber reinforcement were also studied as reference. The water permeability of the specimens with different crack width was measured by hydraulic permeability test. The coordinate data of the crack surface was collected by the self designed data acquisition system, the total crack length and surface area of the samples were analyzed, the crack geometry (tortuosity and roughness) was evaluated quantitatively. A modified factor ξ was introduced to the Poiseuille law to verify the permeability of the cracked specimen. The results showed that with the addition of macro steel fibers, the deformability of the specimens was improved significantly and the crack width could be controlled. The coefficient of the water permeability of the specimens was declined by fiber addition, the modified Poiseuille law could be used to evaluate the water permeability of the cracked concrete, the modified factor ξ decreased with the increasing of fiber dosage. The crack tortuosity and surface roughness increased obviously with the addition of steel fiber.The authors gratefully acknowledge the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grants: 51578109 and 51121005.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Macromol. Mater. Eng. 3/2018

Bacterial cellulose blended polymeric fibrous bandages made in a novel way, from a solution subjected to gyration under pressure to directly weave the bandages. The products show cellular attraction, mechanical and swelling properties in preliminary tests and heralds a very promising new route for the manufacture of wound care bandages. This is reported by Esra Altun, Mehmet Onur Aydogdu, Fatma Koc, Maryam Crabbe‐Mann, Francis Brako, Rupy Kaur‐Matharu, Gunes Ozen, Serap Erdem Kuruca, Ursula Edirisinghe, Oguzhan Gunduz, and Mohan Edirisinghein

Novel Making of Bacterial Cellulose Blended Polymeric Fiber Bandages

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a very promising biological material. However, at present its utilization is limited by difficulties in shape forming it. In this Communication, it is shown how this can be overcome by blending it with poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) polymer. BC:PMMA fibers are produced by pressurized gyration of blended BC:PMMA solutions. Subsequently, BC:PMMA bandage‐like scaffolds are generated with different blends. The products are investigated to determine their morphological and chemical features. Cell culture and proliferation tests are performed to obtain information on biocompatibility of the scaffolds

Explaining the decline in coronary heart disease mortality in Turkey between 1995 and 2008.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates have been decreasing in Turkey since the early 1990s. Our study aimed to determine how much of the CHD mortality decrease in Turkey between 1995 and 2008 could be attributed to temporal trends in major risk factors and how much to advances in medical and surgical treatments. METHODS: The validated IMPACT CHD mortality model was used to combine and analyse data on uptake and effectiveness of CHD treatments and risk factor trends in Turkey in adults aged 35-84 years between 1995 and 2008.Data sources were identified, searched and appraised on population, mortality and major CHD risk factors for adults those aged 35-84 years. Official statistics, electronic databases, national registers, surveys and published trials were screened from 1995 onwards. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2008, coronary heart disease mortality rates in Turkey decreased by 34% in men and 28% in women 35 years and over. This resulted in 35,720 fewer deaths in 2008.Approximately 47% of this mortality decrease was attributed to treatments in individuals (including approximately 16% to secondary prevention, 3% angina treatments, 9% to heart failure treatments, 5% to initial treatments of acute myocardial infarction, and 5% to hypertension treatments) and approximately 42% was attributable to population risk factor reductions (notably blood pressure 29%; smoking 27%; and cholesterol 1%). Adverse trends were seen for obesity and diabetes (potentially increasing mortality by approximately 11% and 14% respectively). The model explained almost 90% of the mortality fall. CONCLUSION: Reduction in major cardiovascular risk factors explained approximately 42% and improvements in medical and surgical treatments explained some 47% of the CHD mortality fall. These findings emphasize the complimentary value of primary prevention and evidence-based medical treatments in controlling coronary heart disease

Epidemiology of pemphigus in Turkey: One-year prospective study of 220 cases

Pemphigus is a group of rare and life-threatening autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. Although they occur worldwide, their incidence shows wide geographical variation, and prospective data on the epidemiology of pemphigus are very limited. Objective of this work is to evaluate the incidence and epidemiological and clinical features of patients with pemphigus in Turkey. All patients newly diagnosed with pemphigus between June 2013 and June 2014 were prospectively enrolled in 33 dermatology departments in 20 different provinces from all seven regions of Turkey. Disease parameters including demography and clinical findings were recorded. A total of 220 patients were diagnosed with pemphigus during the 1-year period, with an annual incidence of 4.7 per million people in Turkey. Patients were predominantly women, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.41. The mean age at onset was 48.9 years. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) was the commonest clinical subtype (n=192; 87.3%), followed by pemphigus foliaceus (n=21; 9.6%). The most common clinical subtype of PV was the mucocutaneous type (n=83; 43.2%). The mean Pemphigus Disease Area Index was 28.14±22.21 (mean ± Standard Deviation).  The incidence rate of pemphigus in Turkey is similar to the countries of South-East Europe, higher than those reported for the Central and Northern European countries and lower than the countries around the Mediterranean Sea and Iran. Pemphigus is more frequent in middle-aged people and is more common in women. The most frequent subtype was PV, with a 9-fold higher incidence than pemphigus foliaceus.   </p

Investigation of the effect of oxidative stress on CAMP-mediated pka path proteins and icsi parameters in male infertility

İnfertilite, çiftlerin en az 1 yıl süre ile korunmasız ve düzenli cinsel ilişkiye rağmen gebelik elde edilememesi olarak tanımlanmaktadır (DSÖ, 2010). Toplumun ~%15'inde görülen infertilite sorunu ile karşılaşan çiftler yardımla üreme tekniklerine başvurmakta ve ancak bu yolla gebelik sağlanabilmektedir. Oksidatif stresin, birçok hastalığın etiyolojisinde rol oynadığı gibi infertilitede de etkisi olduğu bilinmektedir. Sperm hücrelerinin fertilizasyon sürecinde (hiperaktivasyon, kapasitasyon) rol oynayan yolaklardan biri de cAMP bağımlı PKA yolağıdır. Çalışmamızda, seminal plazmada belirlenen oksidatif stres parametrelerinin sperm hücreleri üzerine hücresel, genetik ve fonksiyonel etkilerini ve bu spermler kullanılarak yapılan bir tüp bebek (ICSI) tedavisinde, tedavinin başarı ölçütlerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Çalışmamıza, tüp bebek merkezine başvuran 40 çiftin erkek partnerlerinin semen parametreleri, oksidatif stres değerleri (TOS, TAS, MDA), DNA fragmentasyonu ve kromatin bütünlüğü değerleri, cAMP düzeyleri, PKA ve p-PKA proteinlerinin ekspresyon seviyeleri ve hücresel lokasyonları ve bu spermler kullanılarak yapılan bir ICSI tedavisi sonrası ICSI parametreleri araştırılmıştır. Oksidatif stresin ölçütlerinden biri olan MDA'nın, cAMP bağımlı PKA yolağı ile (p= 0,008) ve kromatin yapısı (p=0,607) ve DNA Fragmentasyonu (p=0,037) ile ilişkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. TAS düzeyi ile sperm motilitesi (p=0,047) ve blastosist gelişim oranı (p=0,023) arasında, TOS düzeyi ile de spermin progresif motilite oranı (p=0,053) arasında anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur. PKA seviyesi ile progresif sperm motilitesi arasında anlamlı bir ilişki belirlenmiş (p=0,056), bu proteinin aktive formu olan p-PKA ile de fertilizasyon oranı arasında ilişkili belirlenmiştir (p=0,023). Bulgularımız doğrultusunda semendeki oksidatif stresin, cAMP aracılı PKA yolağını aktive ettiği, bu yolağın sperm DNA'sı ve kromatin yapısını bozduğu, ve sperm motilitesi ve ICSI sonrası fertilizasyon oranlarını düşürdüğü sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Konu ile ilgili yapılacak kapsamlı çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.Infertility is defined as the couples' inability to achieve pregnancy despite unprotected and regular sexual intercourse for at least 1 year (WHO, 2010). Couples who encounter infertility problem, which is seen in ~ 15% of the society, attend to assisted reproductive techniques and pregnancy can only be achieved by this way. Oxidative stress is known to play a role in the etiology of many diseases as well as in infertility. One of the pathways that play a role (hyperactivation, capacitation) in the fertilization process of sperm cells is the cAMP-dependent PKA pathway. In our study, the cellular, genetic and functional effects of oxidative stress in seminal plasma on sperm cells and the effects of treatment on success rates in an in vitro fertilization (ICSI) treatment using these sperms were investigated. In our study, the semen parameters, oxidative stress values (TOS, TAS, MDA), DNA fragmentation and chromatin integrity values, cAMP levels, expression levels and cellular locations of PKA and p-PKA proteins of male partners of 40 couples who applied to the IVF center, and ICSI parameters were investigated after an ICSI treatment. It was determined that MDA, one of the criteria of oxidative stress, is associated with the cAMP-dependent PKA pathway (p = 0.008) and chromatin structure (p = 0.607) and DNA Fragmentation (p = 0.037). A significant relationship was found between TAS level and sperm motility (p = 0.047) and blastocyst growth rate (p = 0.023), and between TOS level and progressive motility rate of sperm (p = 0.053). A significant correlation was found between PKA level and progressive sperm motility (p = 0.056), and a relationship between p-PKA, the activated form of this protein, and fertilization rate (p = 0.023). According to our findings, we may conclude that oxidative stress in semen activates the cAMP-mediated PKA pathway, this pathway disrupts the sperm DNA and chromatin structure, and reduces sperm motility and fertilization rates after ICSI. More studies are needed to provide more evidence to the subject

Quercetin enhances human sperm motility in a dose and time dependent manner

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of quercetin on the motility of ejaculated human spermatozoa in asthenozoospermic cases by using different doses and exposure times. Semen samples of 94 men were incubated with quercetin at different doses and durations. Sperm motility was analysed in each group, and the results were compared. Compared to control, Quercetin improved sperm motility in each molarity and each interval except 1M. Statistically significant increase was assessed at 0.05 M after 1 hours of incubation, and 0.1 M after two hours of incubation (p<0.05). According to our results, it can be suggested that quercetin has a positive effect on sperm motility on a dose and time dependent manner. This study provides evidence for the potential use of quercetin for sperm preparation to be used in assisted reproduction techniques especially in cases of asthenozoospermia