Factors That Affect the False-Negative Outcomes of Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Thyroid Nodules

Background. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that affect the false-negative outcomes of fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) in thyroid nodules. Methods. Thyroid nodules that underwent FNAB and surgery between August 2005 and January 2012 were analyzed. FNABs were taken from the suspicious nodules regardless of nodule size. Results. Nodules were analyzed in 2 different groups: Group 1 was the false-negatives (n=81) and Group 2 was the remaining true-positives, true-negatives, and false-positives (n=649). A cytopathologist attended in 559 (77%) of FNAB procedures. There was a positive correlation between the nodule size and false-negative rates, and the absence of an interpreting cytopathologist for the examination of the FNAB procedure was the most significant parameter with a 76-fold increased risk of false-negative results. Conclusion. The contribution of cytopathologists extends the time of the procedure, and this could be a difficult practice in centres with high patient turnovers. We currently request the contribution of a cytopathologist for selected patients whom should be followed up without surgery

Liposomes Encapsulating Model Drugs and Silver Nanoparticles for Illumination Based Drug Release

Drug delivery systems include the delivery of the drug within the nanocarriers targeted to the diseased site, thereby the side effects caused by the interaction of the drugs with the untargeted regions are limited. One of the common nanocarriers employed is the liposomes, which are polymolecular aggregates of certain amphipathic molecules, formed in aqueous solution. The unique architecture of liposomes provides a useful platform for incorporation of hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic molecules within the core and/or the bilayer, which has opened the way for the usage of liposomes as nanocarrier systems in pharmaceutical applications. However, this type of therapy still needs improvement because of limitations in stability, encapsulation efficiency, the interaction between the nanocarrier and the cell, and also problems related to rapid clearance by reticuloendothelial system, which has lead researchers to produce novel ways. Photothermal triggered drug release is one of the novel drug delivery systems which has the potential in delivering higher amounts of drugs to the diseased site, aiming to deliver the encapsulated compound effectively while minimizing the toxicity. This type of therapy based on the phase transition of liposome layers as a result of local temperature increase following the exposure of light, and consequently the release of the encapsulated content. In this study, to develop a system that can serve the release of payload upon light exposure, the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which have remarkable optical features, were encapsulated within the liposomes, and the drug release was tested upon illumination. The synthesis of thermosensitive liposomes loaded with model drugs (i.e. rhodamine) and AgNPs, as a novel photothermal drug delivery system was performed successfully in a continuous flow millireactor. Analytical techniques including dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-Vis spectrophotometry or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize the efficiency of the production, the encapsulation of the AgNPs and the drug release performance. Results showed that liposomes can be produced with the intended size in a controllable manner by changing millifluidic conditions. Also, the encapsulation of AgNPsin liposomes was confirmed with DLS results and TEM images. The association between liposomes and AgNPs revealed that it can be regarded as a mixture of incorporation and encapsulation. Drug release profiles characterized by fluorescence intensity in a plate reader or under a fluorescence microscope showed promising results. However, the system needed further modification to demonstrate the drug release assisted by the photothermal effect of AgNPs, such as to have the ability to release drugs on demand by operating as an opening and closing mechanism, or to function as a therapeutic system capable of real-time monitoring in addition to drug release on demand.<br/

Türkiye'de Cari İşlemler Açıkları Sürdürülebilir mi? Zaman Serileri Perspektifinden Bir Bakış

Gelişmekte olan ve yükselen bir çok ülke ekonomik büyümelerini hızlandırmak için yurt dışı tasarruflara güvenmiştir. Buna paralel olarak dış borçta meydana gelen artışlar, gelişmekte olan ülkelerin ortak fenomeni olmuş ve özellikle, yurt içi tasarruf arzının düşüklüğü cari işlem açıklarını yükselte gelmiştir. Bu çalışmanın konusu, Türkiye'nin cari işlem açığının sürdürebilirliğini 1964-2003 dönemi yıllık verileriyle sınamaktır. Bu işlem Husted'm dinamik modeli çerçevesindedir ve burada hesaplamaya alman anahtar değişkenler, karşılıksız yurtdışı transferler ve yurt dışı faiz ödemelerini içeren ithalat ve ihracat verileridir. İthalat ve ihracat arasındaki uzun dönemli ilişki test edilmesinde ADF birim kök ve Engle-Granger iki aşamalı eşbütünleşme testleri kullanılmıştır. Bu test sonuçları göstermektedir ki, ithalat ve ihracat arasında uzun dönemli ilişki yoktur hipotezi reddedilememektedir. Bu bulgunun anlamı şudur: Türkiye'nin cari işlem açıkları sürdürülemezdir.Many developing and emerging countries have relied on foreign savings to accelerate economic growth. The accumulation of external debt has been a common phenomenon in developing countries, especially at the stage of development where the supply of domestic savings has been low and current account deficits have been high. The objective of this study is to examine the issue of Turkey's current account deficit sustainability in the period of 1964-2003 using yearly data. The examination is based on Husted's dynamic model, which taking into account the.evolution of the key variables such as exports, bilateral transfer and interest payments plus to imports. We have tested for a long-run relationship between export and analogous import measures with using some econometric tests that include Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) Unitroot Test and standard two stage Engle-Granger (E-G) Cointegration tests. In the result of tests, we have shown that the hypothesis of no long-run relationship between exports and imports cannot be rejected. The meaning of this finding is that, Turkey current account deficits are not sustainable

Hybrid nanoplatforms comprising organic nanocompartments encapsulating inorganic nanoparticles for enhanced drug delivery and bioimaging applications

Organic and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention due to their unique physico-chemical properties, which have paved the way for their application in numerous fields including diagnostics and therapy. Recently, hybrid nanomaterials consisting of organic nanocompartments (e.g., liposomes, micelles, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) NPs, dendrimers, or chitosan NPs) encapsulating inorganic NPs (quantum dots, or NPs made of gold, silver, silica, or magnetic materials) have been researched for usage in vivo as drug-delivery or theranostic agents. These classes of hybrid multi-particulate systems can enable or facilitate the use of inorganic NPs in biomedical applications. Notably, integration of inorganic NPs within organic nanocompartments results in improved NP stability, enhanced bioavailability, and reduced systemic toxicity. Moreover, these hybrid nanomaterials allow synergistic interactions between organic and inorganic NPs, leading to further improvements in therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, these platforms can also serve as multifunctional agents capable of advanced bioimaging and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, with great potential for clinical applications. By considering these advancements in the field of nanomedicine, this review aims to provide an overview of recent developments in the use of hybrid nanoparticulate systems that consist of organic nanocompartments encapsulating inorganic NPs for applications in drug delivery, bioimaging, and theranostics

Thermal Study of Pd(II) Complexes Containing Bis-(Diphenylthiophosphenyl) Methane

The TG-DTG and DTA study of dipositive palladium(II) complexes of the general formula [Pt(L-L)(dppmS2)](ClO4)2, where dppmS2 = Ph2P(S)CH2P(S)Ph2 and L-L = dppm (Ph2PCH2PPh2), dppe (Ph 2PCH2CH2PPh2) and dppp (Ph 2PCH2CH2CH2PPh2), were studied by thermogravimetric analysis from ambient temperature to 1273 K in nitrogen atmosphere. The decomposition occurred in one stage for all complexes. The values of activation energy, E, frequency factor, A, reaction order, n, entropy change, ΔS≠, enthalpy change, ΔH ≠ and Gibss free energy, ΔG≠ of the thermal decomposition were calculated by means of Coats-Redfern (CR), MacCallum-Tanner (MC) and Horowitz-Metzger (HM) methods. The activation energy value obtained by CR, MC and HM methods were in good agreement with each other

Brachiocephalic and basilic fistula

Introduction: Brescia-Cimino radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) remains the first choice vascular access procedure for patients in need of long-term hemodialysis. Brachiocephalic fistulas are considered as a secondary option in almost all published guidelines. Recently in many reports, elbow and upper arm fistulas are recommended to be used as primary fistulas especially in elderly, diabetic, hypertensive patients. Elbow fistulas (brachiocephalic and brachiobasilic) should only rarely be constructed as primary fistulas. Forearm AVFs should be tried first to give a chance to the patient, because it is not the maturation-patency rates per se but also lowering the complication rates and saving the vessels for future use are equally important