A Leading Indicators Approach to the Predictability of Currency

In this paper, we present a leading economic indicators approach to the predictability of currency crises in Turkey. After summarizing main theoretical models of currency crises and discussing the possible origins of financial crises in the European ERM countries (1992-93), Turkey (1994) and Southeast Asian countries (1997-98), we survey the empirical literature on the predictability of currency crises. Our leading economic indicators approach based on Burns and Mitchell (1946) shows that terms-of-trade, market-determined exchange rate over official exchange rate and some survey data can be considered as leading economic indicators of currency crises in Turkey.Leading economic indicators, predictability of currency crises, Turkey

Investigation of Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Vitiligo Vulgaris

The aim of the study was to investigate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D3) levels in patients with vitiligo vulgaris in terms of causal relation and extension of the disorder.This study is a clinical cross-sectional study carried out in order to determine 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels among 25 patients with vitiligo vulgaris and in 41 controls. Fitzpatrick skin phototypes, history of autoimmune disease, family history of vitiligo, and duration of the disease were also evaluated.The mean levels of vitamin D in patient and the control group were 15.2±5.2 ng/dL and 14.4±6.2 ng/dL respectively (P&gt;0.05). In our study, 48% of the patients had insufficient (&lt;30 ng/mL) and 52% had very low (&lt;15 ng/mL) levels of vitamin D. There was no correlation between age, duration of the disease, and body surface area affected with vitamin D levels. There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients who had family history of vitiligo (5 patients, 20%) and those that did not.Vitamin D levels were found to be insufficient (&lt;30 ng/mL) or very low (&lt;15 ng/mL) in most of the patients with vitiligo vulgaris, but not statistically significantly different as a group when compared to the controls. More studies are needed to differentiate between the effects of low vitamin D levels on pathogenesis of vitiligo vulgaris and lower vitamin D levels as a result of the disease. </p

A rare developmental anomaly associated with right colon cancer: Appendix vermiformis agenesis

© 2020, Edizioni Luigi Pozzi. All rights reserved.Appendix vermiformis agenesis is quite rare. It is seen in 1/100,000 of patients who underwent laparotomy with an initial diagnosis of appendicitis. A 72-year-old woman who had not undergone any previous surgery was operated on for mechanical intestinal obstruction. Right hemicolectomy was performed due to obstructive tumoral mass in the hepatic flexure. There was no appendix vermiformis in exploration. Before deciding on the diagnosis of appendix agenesis, a thorough and rigorous exploration should be performed in ileocecal region and ascending colon. In our case, the diagnosis of appendix agenesis was incidental. However, it should be kept in mind that appendix agenesis may be present in patients undergoing surgery with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Efficacy of Different Durations of Intravenous Methylprednisolone Treatment in Relapses of Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction: Relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS) are usually treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), given over 3-10 days. There is no consensus on the optimal duration of treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether longer treatment provides additional short-term clinical benefits assessed by the change in plasma cytokine levels and EDSS scores in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)

Could plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine level be a novel predictor beyond the classic predictors of stent restenosis?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with coronary stent restenosis and if there is an association between plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and stent restenosis. Methods: Ninety-one patients, who had a history of coronary bare metal stent implantation due to any cause in the last one year period, were admitted to this observational cross-sectional study. Coronary angiography was performed to all patients and quantitative angiography was used to determine the presence of stent restenosis. Laboratory parameters and angiographic features that contribute to stent restenosis were evaluated. Plasma ADMA levels were measured by using high performance liquid chromatography. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent factors of stent restenosis. Results: Angiographic restenosis was found in 35 patients (38.5%). Stent diameter (p=0.038) and left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.023) were lower and stent implantation history due to acute coronary syndrome (p=0.029), plasma ADMA level (5.0 +/- 1.8x10(-4) mmol/L vs. 3.9 +/- 1.0x10(-4) mmol/L, p=0.001), C-reactive protein concentration (p=0.016), white blood cell count (p=0.044) and stent length (p=0.005) were higher in patients with restenosis. Plasma ADMA level (beta=0.536; OR: 1.710; CI: 1.022-2.861; p=0.041), C-reactive protein concentration (beta=0.062; OR: 1.064; CI: 1.003-1.129; p=0.041), stent diameter (beta=-3.047; OR: 0.048; CI: 0.007-0.313; p=0.002) and length (beta=0.165; OR: 1.179; CI: 1.036-1.343; p=0.013) were found to be the independent predictors of stent restenosis in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: We conclude that plasma ADMA levels may be used as a novel marker for stent restenosis beyond the classic stent restenosis markers

Risk Factors of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Turkey - an Epidemiological Survey of the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology

WOS: 000302015800038PubMed: 22393983Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare disease in most parts of the world with a multifactorial etiology involving an interaction of genetic, viral, environmental and dietary risk factors. This is the first epidemiologic study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the Turkish population. Methods: We conducted a multicentric, retrospective, case-control study using a standardized questionnaire which captured age, sex, occupation, household type, blood group, dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption and oral hygiene. The study included 183 cases and 183 healthy controls matched by sex and age. Multiple logistic regression and univariate analysis were employed. Results: The peak age incidence was 40-50 years and the male to female ratio was 2:1. We observed significant associations between elevated nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk and low socioeconomic status, rural household type (OR: 3.95, p0.05); furthermore salty foods had a borderline p value (OR: 2.14, p=0.053). Blood type A increased the risk (OR: 2.03, p=0.002) while blood type 0 was a protective factor (OR: 0.53, p=0.009). Rare habit of teeth brushing (OR: 6.17, p= 10 decayed teeth before diagnosis (OR: 2.17, p<0.001) increased the risk. Conclusions: The nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk factors described in the literature are also applicable for the Turkish population. People with type A blood are at risk in Turkey. Salted foods have also a border risk out of the endemic regions. This is the only study showing that poor oral hygene is a serious risk factor for nasopharyngeal carcinoma