Arbitration in International Commercial Agreements: The Noose Draws Tighter

WOS: 000298822100014PubMed ID: 22166511This study aimed to examine fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF-19) in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to evaluate the relationship between FGF-19 and other cardiovascular risk factors, such as atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and hsCRP. 26 T2DM patients with MetS and 12 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum FGF-19 levels were measured by sandwich ELISA, and compared with other cardiovascular risk factors; lipid profile, AIP, glucose, HbA1c, and hsCRP. AIP was calculated as log (TG/HDL-c). The median (1-3.quartile) FGF-19 levels in T2DM patients with MetS and healthy controls were 122.90 (108.63-237.60) pg/ml and 293.45 (153.64-370.31) pg/ml, respectively (P=0.003). Patients were also grouped by body mass index (BMI) = 30 kg/m(2) (n=13) with median (1-3.quartile) FGF-19 values 168.70 (113.54-275.77) pg/mL and 115.89 (97.94-200.40) pg/mL, respectively (P=0.007). Significant negative correlations were found between FGF-19 and BMI, triglyceride, log (TG/HDL-c), hsCRP, and HbA1c (r=-0.526, P=0.001; r=-0.327, P=0.05; r=-0.312, P=0.05; r=-0.435, P=0.006; r=-0.357, P=0.028, respectively). We showed that FGF-19 levels are low in T2DM patients with MerS. The negative relationship between FGF-19 and several known cardiovascular risk factors such as TG, log (TG/HDL-c), hsCRP and HbA1c in diabetic patients with MetS suggests that FGF-19 can be used as a contributing marker

Investigation on Malondialdehyde, S100B, and Advanced Oxidation Protein Product Levels in Significant Hyperbilirubinemia and the Effect of Intensive Phototherapy on these Parameters

BackgroundThe parameters of oxidative stress [advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), malondialdehyde (MDA), and S100B] and the effect of intensive phototherapy (PT) on these parameters have not been studied extensively in newborns with significant hyperbilirubinemia (SH). We aimed to measure the levels of MDA, S100B, and AOPPs in newborns with SH, and to compare newborns with healthy control newborns without hyperbilirubinemia on the basis of these parameters of oxidative stress. In addition, we investigated the effect of intensive PT on these parameters during the treatment of SH and report our findings for the first time in the literature.MethodsThe study was performed in newborns (n = 62) who underwent intensive PT because of SH. Newborns without jaundice constituted the control group (n = 30). Both groups were compared with respect to demographic characteristics and biochemical (laboratory) parameters including MDA, AOPPs, and S100B. MDA, AOPPs, and S100B were also compared before and after intensive PT in the PT group. In the study group, a correlation analysis of demographic characteristics; MDA, AOPP, and S100B values; and changes occurring in MDA, AOPPs, and S100B values due to the effect of intensive PT was performed.ResultsSerum total bilirubin, S100B, and MDA levels in the PT group before performing PT were significantly higher than those in the control group. In newborns receiving PT serum total bilirubin, MDA and AOPP levels decreased significantly after intensive PT. In correlation analysis, a statistically significant negative correlation was found only between the amount of bilirubin decrease with PT and AOPP levels after PT in the study group.ConclusionWhether the significant decrease in MDA levels, which was higher prior to PT, is due to the decrease in serum bilirubin levels or due to the effect of intensive PT itself remains to be determined in further studies. The decrease in AOPP levels after PT implies that intensive PT has protective effects on oxidative stress

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

Effect of activated carbon produced from biochar on removal of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid from aqueous solutions

The toxicity of pesticides and their degradation products is making these chemical substances a potential hazard by contaminating our environment. Therefore, the removal of pesticides from water is one of the major environmental concerns these days. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) belonging to the herbicide group, which is among the numerous pesticides used today, is widely used to control weeds due to its low cost and good selectivity. In order to offer an alternative to this environmental problem, the effect of activated carbon obtained by chemical activation from pyrolysis biochar on 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid removal from aqueous solutions has been investigated. The adsorption mechanism is explained by analyzing the effect of adsorption parameters. It is determined that the equilibrium data are suitable for Langmuir isotherm model among the applied isotherm models and the monolayer adsorption capacity is 344.83 mg g-1 at 318 K. The adsorption kinetics data of 2,4-D on activated carbon is better defined by the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic calculations reveal that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The activated carbon obtained from biochar has been observed to have a high adsorption capacity compared to adsorbent materials obtained from many other raw materials for the removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid

4-Butoxy-N&amp;#8242;-[1-(4-methylphenyl)ethylidene]benzohydrazide

The molecule of the title compound, C20H24N2O2, exists in a trans conformation with respect to the C=N bond. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 79.0&amp;#8197;(1)&amp;#176;. In the crystal, N&amp;#8212;H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains propagating in [001]. Two weak C&amp;#8212;H...O interactions also occur

PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON PREPARED FROM ORANGE PULP AND UTILIZATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF PHOSPHATE IONS

In this study, the use of activated carbon prepared from orange (Citrus sinensis L.) pulp by chemical activation has been investigated as an ideal alternative to the current expensive methods of removing phosphate ions. The effects of initial pH, initial concentration, contact time, temperature and other ions on adsorption were studied. The surface area and micropore volume of the obtained activated carbon were 1779.48 m(2) g(-1) and 1.1 cm(3) g(-2), respectively. The results indicated that the adsorption of phosphate ions followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and fitted the Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models better than other isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained from Langmuir equation was 4.61 mg g(-1). The calculated thermodynamic parameters were showed that the adsorption of phosphate ions onto activated carbon was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic at 298-318 K. The results suggest that the activated carbon prepared from orange pulp has potential in remediation of phosphate ions contaminated waters