A novel index in healthy infants and children — subarachnoid space: ventricle ratio

Background: The subarachnoid space (SAS) and ventricular width (VW) in normalinfants and children were studied with ultrasonography to provide the objectivemeasurement and define a normal range for these measurements. The additional aim was to determine the stable ratio as a SAS/VW.Materials and methods: A total of 100 healthy subjects, including 48 males and52 females, were studied. The cases were divided into 3 age groups: 0–6 months(n = 65), 7–12 months (n = 24) and > 13 months (n = 11). Transfontanel ultrasonography was performed in all the cases. SAS, VW and the SAS/VW ratios were calculated. The study was approved by the ethical committee. All parents wereinformed about the sonographic examination and their approvals were taken.Results: SAS was calculated as 3.1 (0.5–6) mm and VW was calculated as 3.6(1.3–5) mm. SAS/VW ratio was 0.9 ± 0.3. There was no statistically significant difference among SAS, VW and SAS/VW ratios in 3–97 percentile group (p > 0.05).Conclusions: Ultrasonography can be used as a practicable and reproducible modalityin the measurement of SAS and VW in healthy children. It is a non-invasivemethod and allows for serial follow-up. SAS/VW ratio can be used as an index inhealthy children

A General Approach for the Exact Solution of the Schrodinger Equation

The Schr\"{o}dinger equation is solved exactly for some well known potentials. Solutions are obtained reducing the Schr\"{o}dinger equation into a second order differential equation by using an appropriate coordinate transformation. The Nikiforov-Uvarov method is used in the calculations to get energy eigenvalues and the corresponding wave functions.Comment: 20 page

Theoretical investigations of the equol molecule: semi-empirical and density functional theory calculations

The structural and electronic properties of the equol molecule, an estrogenic isoflavone. have been investigated theoretically by performing semi-empirical self-consistent field molecular orbital and density functional theory calculations. The geometry of the system has been optimized at the level of AMI method and the electronic properties have been calculated at the level of B3LYP functional

Hemolymph biochemical parameters reference intervals and total hemocyte counts of narrow clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823)

The narrow clawed crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823 is the only native freshwater crayfish species of Turkey. Crayfish are standard test organism in the OECD Testing Guidelines and has importance in ecotoxicological studies/environmental monitoring programs due to its critical position in the food web and lake bottom feeding habits. Crayfish (males and non-ovigerous females; 9.77 ± 0.66 cm total length, 24.82 ± 2.96 g weight) hemolymph were collected and analyzed for total hemocyte count and hemolymph were biochemical parameters reference range for the species by autoanalyzer. Animals were maintained under laboratory conditions for 2 weeks before measurements. All biochemical parameters, except chloride and lactic acid, showed normal distribution when tested for normality with the using Kolmogorov Smirnov (K-S) test. The means and standard deviations of biochemical parameters analyzed are; glucose (4.8 ± 2.8 mg/dL), calcium (38.07 ± 5.67 mg/dL), magnesium (4.305 ± 1.479 mg/dL), potassium (4.795 ± 1.057 mequiv/L), sodium (190.3 ± 15.1 mequiv/L), total protein (2.578 ± 1.005 g/dL). These results provide necessary reference hemolymph intervals for future studies of A. leptodactylus to be used as model organism, and ecotoxicological indicator species. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The multidisciplinary approach to biochemistry laboratory education [Biyokimya laboratuvar egitimine çok disiplinli yaklaşi{dotless}m]

European Union's Life Long Learning Programmes and the Bologna Process describe new classifications. Related with these new classifications, our higher education system is being restructured under the name of National Qualification Frameworks. Between the National and European programmes comparability and the transparency is expected to promote life-long learning. The workshop named as "Biochemistry Laboratory Training Workshop on Multi-Disciplinary Approach" was held on 3-4 May 2012 in Ankara with the scope of biochemistry laboratory culture, education, laboratory work and experimental methodology consisted of gain and the development of scientific thinking skills. As a result of the workshop, it was mentioned that, biochemistry theoretical course and biochemistry laboratory are being taught in different faculties, colleges and vocational schools. Biochemistry's interdisciplinary character, its' being closely related to physiology, being based on chemistry/physics principles and conceptions and extending increasingly to molecular biology, molecular genetics and nanoscience have brought new approaches in Biochemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory Education. The need for developing new applications using alternative materials leads to modern experimentation to be employed in teaching biochemistry laboratory at different educational establishments. Taking into account the previous studies, the core laboratory training, achievements and targets identified. The timetable of the teaching-learning and the evaluation process were discussed. Besides the core laboratory programme, the awareness of scientific research projects was discussed. It was also noted the coordination between the different programmes and the basic mandatory structure of the laboratories during the time of adaptation to the European. In addition, difficulties in provision of equipment and supplies, the responsibility of governments, readiness and competencies of students, teaching staff qualifications were discussed for the effective laboratory training. Young scientists and graduate students had actively participated in the workshop. Finally positive steps have been taken to develop the ability to work with the cultures of scientific thinking. Key Wor d s: biochemistry laboratory, laboratory training, National Qualifications Framework Conflict of Interest: None