Effects of standard diets from different sources on growth and some organ parameters of rats

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗThis study aims to determine the effects of open and closed formulated standard diets supplied from different sources on growth performance and internal organ development of laboratory rats. Five-week-old 32 Wistar rats were used. A special control group diet was produced in accordance with the criteria determined by the National Research Council (NRC) (1995). Three different most preferred commercial open and closed-formula diets produced by international and local companies were used as trial groups’ diets. The experiment was carried out for 12 weeks. Weekly feed consumption, body weight change, internal organ weight, intestinal organ weigths and lengths, intestinal villi heigth and crypt depth were measured in groups. The body weight values of the control group and the first group fed with open-formula diet were found at the highest level (P <0.05). The control group diet had a positive effect on small intestine villi heigth and crypt depth (P <0.05). The nutrient contents and energy values of the diets of experimental groups were determined as different from the commercial firm notifications. As a result of the research, it is concluded that the diets prepared with open-formula give more reliable results in the growth performance and development of internal organs of Wistar rats

Deep-Learning-Based Dose Predictor for Glioblastoma-Assessing the Sensitivity and Robustness for Dose Awareness in Contouring

External beam radiation therapy requires a sophisticated and laborious planning procedure. To improve the efficiency and quality of this procedure, machine-learning models that predict these dose distributions were introduced. The most recent dose prediction models are based on deep-learning architectures called 3D U-Nets that give good approximations of the dose in 3D almost instantly. Our purpose was to train such a 3D dose prediction model for glioblastoma VMAT treatment and test its robustness and sensitivity for the purpose of quality assurance of automatic contouring. From a cohort of 125 glioblastoma (GBM) patients, VMAT plans were created according to a clinical protocol. The initial model was trained on a cascaded 3D U-Net. A total of 60 cases were used for training, 15 for validation and 20 for testing. The prediction model was tested for sensitivity to dose changes when subject to realistic contour variations. Additionally, the model was tested for robustness by exposing it to a worst-case test set containing out-of-distribution cases. The initially trained prediction model had a dose score of 0.94 Gy and a mean DVH (dose volume histograms) score for all structures of 1.95 Gy. In terms of sensitivity, the model was able to predict the dose changes that occurred due to the contour variations with a mean error of 1.38 Gy. We obtained a 3D VMAT dose prediction model for GBM with limited data, providing good sensitivity to realistic contour variations. We tested and improved the model's robustness by targeted updates to the training set, making it a useful technique for introducing dose awareness in the contouring evaluation and quality assurance process

Dynamic group key agreement for resource-constrained devices using blockchains

Dynamic group key agreement (DGKA) protocols are one of the key security primitives to secure multiparty communications in decentralized and insecure environments while considering the instant changes in a communication group. However, with the ever-increasing number of connected devices, traditional DGKA protocols have performance challenges since each member in the group has to make several computationally intensive operations while verifying the keying materials to compute the resulting group key. To overcome this issue, we propose a new approach for DGKA protocols by utilizing Hyperledger Fabric framework as a blockchain platform. To this end, we migrate the communication and verification overhead of DGKA participants to the blockchain network in our developed scheme. This paradigm allows a flexible DGKA protocol that considers resource-constrained entities and trade-offs regarding distributed computation. According to our performance analysis, participants with low computing resources can efficiently utilize our protocol. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that our protocol has the same security features as other comparable protocols in the literature

Analysis of respiratory function and muscle strength of elite judo athletes and sedentary females

The purpose of this study is to analyse the respiratory function and muscle strengths of elite female judo athletes and sedentary females. 20 elite female judo athletes (EG) and 20 sedentary healthy females (CG) participated in our study. The subjects’ respiratory function tests were conducted in sitting position with spirometry, while the respiratory muscle strength tests were conducted by using intraoral barometry. SPSS 22.0 program was used for statistical analysis. When EG and CG were analysed in terms of respiratory functions, no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05). However, when MIP* and MEP** values were analysed, it was found statistically that female judo athletes (EG) had much higher results when compared with sedentary females (CG) (*p<0.05, **p<0.01). As a conclusion, it can be seen that elite female judo athletes had stronger respiratory muscles when compared with sedentary females, while their lung capacities were found to be similar. Based on the results of our study, it is thought that by doing extra respiratory muscle and function developing trainings, these parameters influencing performance can be developed in female judo athletes. In addition, our study has the characteristic of a reference in terms of respiratory functions and especially respiratory muscle strength in the branch of judo

Vestibular dose correlates with dizziness after radiosurgery for the treatment of vestibular schwannoma.

BACKGROUND Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been recognized as a first-line treatment option for small to moderate sized vestibular schwannoma (VS). Our aim is to evaluate the impact of SRS doses and other patient and disease characteristics on vestibular function in patients with VS. METHODS Data on VS patients treated with single-fraction SRS to 12 Gy were retrospectively reviewed. No dose constraints were given to the vestibule during optimization in treatment planning. Patient and tumor characteristics, pre- and post-SRS vestibular examination results and patient-reported dizziness were assessed from patient records. RESULTS Fifty-three patients were analyzed. Median follow-up was 32 months (range, 6-79). The median minimum, mean and maximum vestibular doses were 2.6 ± 1.6 Gy, 6.7 ± 2.8 Gy, and 11 ± 3.6 Gy, respectively. On univariate analysis, Koos grade (p = 0.04; OR: 3.45; 95% CI 1.01-11.81), tumor volume (median 6.1 cm3; range, 0.8-38; p = 0.01; OR: 4.85; 95% CI 1.43-16.49), presence of pre-SRS dizziness (p = 0.02; OR: 3.98; 95% CI 1.19-13.24) and minimum vestibular dose (p = 0.033; OR: 1.55; 95% CI 1.03-2.32) showed a significant association with patient-reported dizziness. On multivariate analysis, minimum vestibular dose remained significant (p = 0.02; OR: 1.75; 95% CI 1.05-2.89). Patients with improved caloric function had received significantly lower mean (1.5 ± 0.7 Gy, p = 0.01) and maximum doses (4 ± 1.5 Gy, p = 0.01) to the vestibule. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal that 5 Gy and above minimum vestibular doses significantly worsened dizziness. Additionally, mean and maximum doses received by the vestibule were significantly lower in patients who had improved caloric function. Further investigations are needed to determine dose-volume parameters and their effects on vestibular toxicity

Influencing Factors on Radiotherapy Outcome in Stage I-II Glottic Larynx Cancer—A Multicenter Study

Background and Purpose: Larynx cancer represents one of the most frequently diagnosed head and neck malignancies, which is most often confined to the glottic area. The aim of this study was to report the oncological outcome and identify prognostic factors in early-stage glottic squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy. Material and Methods: Patients (n = 761) diagnosed and treated in 10 centers between 1990 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Probabilities of loco-regional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) were calculated and possible prognostic factors were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The median follow-up was 63 months (range: 2-243). Three hundred and sixty-four, 148 and 249 patients had cT1a, cT1b, and cT2 stage I-II disease, respectively. Five and 10-years LRC/OS rates in the whole cohort were 83/82% and 80/68%, respectively. Three patients developed distant recurrences. In univariate analysis, male sex (HR: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.47-11.37; p < 0.01), T2 vs. T1a (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.08-2.43; p = 0.02) and anterior commissure involvement (ACI) (HR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.38-2.45; p < 0.01) were associated with impaired LRC. In multivariate analysis, male sex (HR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.44-11.17; p < 0.01) and ACI (HR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.01-2.28; p = 0.047) remained poor prognostic factors. No relation of treatment technique and biologically equivalent dose (BED) to oncological outcome was identified except for higher BED10(L = 25; T = 1) yielding better LRC in T1a tumors (p = 0.04) in univariate analyses. Conclusion: Our results highlight the negative impact of ACI on tumor control. A less-expected finding was the impact of sex on tumor control. Further research is needed to validate its prognostic value and investigate any related biologic or behavioral factors, which may be modified to improve oncologic outcome

Treatment of head lice with dimeticone 4% lotion: comparison of two formulations in a randomised controlled trial in rural Turkey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dimeticone 4% lotion was shown to be an effective treatment for head louse infestation in two randomised controlled trials in England. It is not affected by insecticide resistance but efficacy obtained (70-75%) was lower than expected. This study was designed to evaluate efficacy of dimeticone 4% lotion in a geographically, socially, and culturally different setting, in rural Turkey and, in order to achieve blinding, it was compared with a potential alternative formulation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Children from two village schools were screened for head lice by detection combing. All infested students and family members could participate, giving access to treatment for the whole community. Two investigator applied treatments were given 7 days apart. Outcome was assessed by detection combing three times between treatments and twice the week following second treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the intention to treat group 35/36 treated using dimeticone 4% had no lice after the second treatment but there were two protocol violators giving 91.7% treatment success. The alternative product gave 30/36 (83.3%) treatment success, a difference of 8.4% (95% CI -9.8% to 26.2%). The cure rates per-protocol were 33/34 (97.1%) and 30/35 (85.7%) respectively. We were unable to find any newly emerged louse nymphs on 77.8% of dimeticone 4% treated participants or on 66.7% of those treated with the alternative formulation. No adverse events were identified.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results confirm the efficacy of dimeticone 4% lotion against lice and eggs and we found no detectable difference between this product and dimeticone 4% lotion with nerolidol 2% added. We believe that the high cure rate was related to the lower intensity of infestation in Turkey, together with the level of community engagement, compared with previous studies in the UK.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10431107</p

Parental psychological distress associated with COVID-19 outbreak: A large-scale multicenter survey from Turkey

Aims: Pandemics can cause substantial psychological distress; however, we do not know the impact of the COVID-19 related lockdown and mental health burden on the parents of school age children. We aimed to comparatively examine the COVID-19 related the stress and psychological burden of the parents with different occupational, locational, and mental health status related backgrounds. Methods: A large-scale multicenter online survey was completed by the parents (n = 3,278) of children aged 6 to 18 years, parents with different occupational (health care workers—HCW [18.2%] vs. others), geographical (İstanbul [38.2%] vs. others), and psychiatric (child with a mental disorder [37.8%]) backgrounds. Results: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being a HCW parent (odds ratio 1.79, p <.001), a mother (odds ratio 1.67, p <.001), and a younger parent (odds ratio 0.98, p =.012); living with an adult with a chronic physical illness (odds ratio 1.38, p <.001), having an acquaintance diagnosed with COVID-19 (odds ratio 1.22, p =.043), positive psychiatric history (odds ratio 1.29, p <.001), and living with a child with moderate or high emotional distress (odds ratio 1.29, p <.001; vs. odds ratio 2.61, p <.001) were independently associated with significant parental distress. Conclusions: Parents report significant psychological distress associated with COVID-19 pandemic and further research is needed to investigate its wider impact including on the whole family unit. © The Author(s) 2020

Effect of maternal smoking on colostrum and breast milk cytokines

Background: Breast milk contains several immune modulator components. The transfer of numerous cytokines via mother's milk may add to an active stimulation of the infant's immune system. There are many factors in breast milk that could either facilitate or inhibit cytokine activities. Smoking negatively influences the immune system and changes the concentrations of important cytokines. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of smoking during pregnancy on the cytokines found in colostrum and mature human milk. Methods: The study population included 25 smoker and 27 non-smoker nursing mothers who gave birth to a term healthy infant via cesarean section. Breast milk was collected from the mothers on the 2 nd -3 rd and 21 st -25 th days postpartum during visits to examine the newborns. Samples were analyzed for IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-? and TNF-ß cytokines by flow cytometric bead array. Results: We flrst saw that concentrations of IL-1 ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-?, TNF-?, and TNF-ß cytokines, but not IL-12, were measurable both in colostrum and in mature milk, being higher in colostrum. Next we observed that IL-1ß and IL-8 levels were signiflcantly lower in colostrum, and IL-6 was found to be signiflcantly lower in the mature milk of smoking mothers. No signiflcant effects of maternal smoking on breast milk concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN-?, TNF-?, and TNF-ß were observed. Conclusions: These flndings indicate that maternal smoking alters the colostrum and mature milk levels of some cytokines. Therefore, it is thought that active smoking during pregnancy decreases the concentration of certain cytokines in breast milk, which might account for the newborn's increased susceptibility to infections