Corporate Sector Financial Structure in Turkey : A Descriptive Analysis

This paper presents and discusses some stylised facts of the corporate sector financial structure in Turkey using the Company Sector Accounts compiled by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT). The findings of the paper suggest that non-financial firms in Turkey have been heavily exposed almost all of the basic balance sheet risks. The corporate sector appears to be excessively leveraged with relatively lower asset tangibility creating also a credit risk for the lenders. The firms rely heavily on foreign currency denominated and short-term debt instruments making them vulnerable to both exchange rate and interest rate shocks through currency and maturity mismatches. The corporate sector can be characterised as financially constrained as the deepening of the Turkish bank-based financial system is rather low and the bank credits to the private sector tend to be crowded out by the mode of domestic debt finance. The corporate sector vulnerabilities to maturity, interest rate and currency risks are found to be improving with the firm size. With the relatively stable macroeconomic environment and stricter prudential regulation on the financial system, the corporate sector balance sheet risks, albeit still are at high levels, tend to be improving after the financial crisis of 2001.Balance sheets, Capital structure, Corporate sector, Debt composition, Financial crowding-out, Liability dollarisation, Turkey

The effects of daylight exposure on melatonin levels, Kiss1 expression, and melanoma formation in mice

Aim To determine how daylight exposure in mice affects melatonin protein expression in blood and Kiss1 gene expression in the hypothalamus. The second aim was to assess the relationship between skin cancer formation, daylight exposure, melatonin blood level, and kisspeptin gene expression level. Methods New-born mice (n = 96) were assigned into the blind group or daylight group. The blind group was raised in the dark and the daylight group was raised under 12 hours light/12 hours dark cycle for 17 weeks. At the end of the 11th week, melanoma cell line was inoculated to mice, and tumor growth was observed for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, melatonin level was measured from blood serum and Kiss1 expression from the hypothalamus. Results The blind group had significantly higher melatonin and lower Kiss1 expression levels than the daylight group. Tumor volume was inversely proportional to melatonin levels and directly proportional to Kiss1 expression levels. Tumor growth speed was lower in the blind than in the daylight group. Conclusion Melatonin and Kiss1 were shown to be nvolved in tumor suppression. They were affected by daylight and were mutually affected by each other

Determination of Harmful Insect Species in Zivzik Pomegranate Production Areas of Siirt Province

Zivzik pomegranate is an important source of income for producers in Siirt province. There are many harmful insect species that cause loss of yield and quality in pomegranate. This study was carried out to determine the pest insect species in Zivzik pomegranate production areas in Siirt province and its districts in 2018 and 2019. The study was conducted total in 38 orchards in 12 villages in 3 districts (Central, Şirvan and Pervari). To determine the insect species, samples were collected with pheromone trap, shoot cutting, visual inspection, Japanese umbrella and cultivation methods. As a result of the studies, a total of 24 harmful insect species belonging to 7 orders and 19 families were identified. Among these species, Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller, 1839)), Pomegranate aphid (Aphis punicae Passerini, 1863) and Chrysobothris affinis (Fabricius, 1794) were found to be important species. dried fruit beetle (Carpophilus spp.) fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830), Ash whitefly (Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday, 1835)), leopard moth borer (Zeuzera pyrina Linnaeus, 1761) and Tenuipalpus granati Sayed, 1946 were determined as secondary pests. Furthermore, Chrysobothris affinis (Fabricius, 1794) detected in this study is the first record for the pomegranate fauna of Turke

The importance of costoclavicular space on possible compression of the subclavian artery in the thoracic outlet region: a radio-anatomical study

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to identify possible compression points along the transit route of the subclavian artery and to provide a detailed anatomical analysis of areas that are involved in the surgical management of the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). The results of the current study are based on measurements from cadavers, computed tomography (CT) scans and dry adult first ribs. METHODS: The width and length of the interscalene space and the width of the costoclavicular passage were measured on 18 cervical dissections in 9 cadavers, on 50 dry first ribs and on CT angiography sections from 15 patients whose conditions were not related to TOS. RESULTS: The average width and length of the interscalene space in cadavers were 15.28 ± 1.94mm and 15.98 ± 2.13 mm, respectively. The widths of the costoclavicular passage (12.42 ± 1.43mm) were significantly narrower than the widths and lengths of the interscalene space in cadavers (P < 0.05). The average width and length of the interscalene space (groove for the subclavian artery) in 50 dry ribs were 15.53 ± 2.12mm and 16.12 ± 1.95mm, respectively. In CT images, the widths of the costoclavicular passage were also significantly narrower than those of the interscalene space (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the costoclavicular width was the narrowest space along the passage route of the subclavian artery. When considering the surgical decompression of the subclavian artery for TOS, this narrowest area should always be kept in mind. Since measurements from CT images and cadavers were significantly similar, CT measurements may be used to evaluate the thoracic outlet region in patients with TOS

Effects of the changes between preand post-treatment 18F-FDG PET-CT volumetric parameters on overall survival in pleural mesothelioma

Introduction. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of positron emission tomography in fusion with computed tomography (PET-CT) parameters in predicting survival outcomes for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.  Material and methods. This study retrospectively evaluated the data of 250 patients who were followed up after a diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The relationship of pre-treatment [maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax1), metabolic tumor volume (MTV1), total lesion glycolysis (TLG1), tumor/background (TBR1), pleural thickness1), post-treatment (SUVmax2, MTV2, TLG2, TBR2, pleural thickness2], and DPET-CT parameters with survival was retrospectively evaluated in 36 patients whose pre- and post-treatment CT scan examinations were complete.  Results. The median age of the patients was 57.5 years, ranging from 35 to 76. Median follow-up time was 16 months, with a range of 7 to 42 months. Median survival was calculated as 18.8 months for all patients. Based on the determined cut-off values, overall survival was determined as 29.9 months in patients with TLG2 ≤ 158 compared to 16 months in patients with TLG2 &gt; 158 (p = 0.009) and as 30.9 months in patients with DTLG ≤ –62.58 compared to 16 months in patients with DTLG &gt; –62.58 (p = 0.001). In addition, median overall survival (OS) was determined as 29.9 months in patients with MTV2 ≤ 63.9 compared to 16 months in patients with MTV2 &gt; 63.9 (p = 0.007) and as 29.9 months in patients with DMTV ≤ –54.03 compared to 16 months in patients with DMTV &gt; –54.03 (p = 0.002). When evaluated with respect to TBR2; median OS was 29.9 months in patients with TBR2 ≤ 1.84 compared to 16 months in patients with TBR2 &gt; 1.84 (p = 0.039).  Conclusions. Our research findings indicate a correlation between OS and volumetric PET-CT measures, specifically TLG and MTV

Production of Bovine Colostrum for Human Consumption to Improve Health

Colostrum contains all essential nutrients for the neonate during the first days of life, with impacts that continue far beyond these first days. Bovine colostrum has been used for human consumption due to the high concentrations of bioactive proteins, vitamins, minerals, growth factors, as well as free and conjugated oligosaccharides. Processes involved in the preparation of bovine colostrum for human consumption play a pivotal role in preserving and maintaining the activity of the bioactive molecules. As bovine colostrum is a multifunctional food that offers a myriad of benefits for human health, assessing the main processes used in preparing it with both advantages and disadvantages is a crucial point to discuss. We discuss major processes effects for colostrum production on the nutritional value, some advanced technologies to preserve processed bovine colostrum and the endproduct forms consumed by humans whether as dairy products or dietary supplements

A new perspective on the future of Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology: Young Radiation Oncologists Group (TROD/GROG 001)

Radiation oncology is a field of medicine that has been rapidly growing with advances in technology, radiobiology, treatment algorithms and quality of life of modern radiotherapy over the last century. In the context of these advances, it is critical to be aware of the role of the young radiation oncologists and enable them to discover new perspectives. For this purpose, “The Young Radiation Oncologists Group” (GROG) has been established by the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (TROD), a subgroup which has focused on the professional developments, early career and integrating into the TROD family while supporting education and innovative research of young radiation oncologists. The purpose of this paper was to outline the structure and responsibilities of GROG and its scientific and social activities within TROD and in its own right.

The relationship between inflammation markers, positron emission tomography/ /computed tomography parameters and disease prognosis in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients

Introduction. Inflammation is known to be related to the development, spread, prognosis, and treatment response in cancer patients. Our study aimed to evaluate the correlation between inflammation indices and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) parameters and investigate their relationship with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with stage-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).  Material and methods. Demographic, clinicopathological, laboratory, and PET/CT data of 179 patients diagnosed with stage-IV NSCLC who presented to the Oncology Department of Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine between 2010–2020 were retrieved from patient files and the hospital database system.  Results. The median age at diagnosis was 64 (27–87) years. All patients included in the study had NSCLC: 72.6% had adenocarcinoma, 21.2% had squamous cell carcinoma, and 6.1% had other histological types. Of the 78 patients who were subjected to molecular analysis, 26 (33.3%) were EGFR-mutation positive. During the 10-month median follow-up, median first-line PFS was 6 months (95% CI 5.00–6.99), and median OS was 10 months (95% CI 7.8–12.1). The multivariate analysis performed for first-line PFS determined hemoglobin (HR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.003–1.02; p = 0.005) and PET total lesion glycolysis (TLG) (HR = 1.002; 95% CI 1.001–1.003; p = 0.003) values as independent prognostic factors. The multivariate analysis for OS determined positive EGFR mutation status (HR = 0.385; 95% CI 0.213–0.696; p = 0,014) and performance status (HR = 1.88; 95% CI 1.092–3.238; p = 0,008) as independent prognostic factors.  Conclusions. Our study determined the hemoglobin level and PET TLG from PET/CT parameters to be independent prognostic factors for PFS, and performance status and EGFR mutation positivity to be independent prognostic factors for OS

The Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery : defining a model for antimicrobial stewardship-results from an international cross-sectional survey

Background: Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) have been promoted to optimize antimicrobial usage and patient outcomes, and to reduce the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. However, the best strategies for an ASP are not definitively established and are likely to vary based on local culture, policy, and routine clinical practice, and probably limited resources in middle-income countries. The aim of this study is to evaluate structures and resources of antimicrobial stewardship teams (ASTs) in surgical departments from different regions of the world. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in 2016 on 173 physicians who participated in the AGORA (Antimicrobials: A Global Alliance for Optimizing their Rational Use in Intra-Abdominal Infections) project and on 658 international experts in the fields of ASPs, infection control, and infections in surgery. Results: The response rate was 19.4%. One hundred fifty-six (98.7%) participants stated their hospital had a multidisciplinary AST. The median number of physicians working inside the team was five [interquartile range 4-6]. An infectious disease specialist, a microbiologist and an infection control specialist were, respectively, present in 80.1, 76.3, and 67.9% of the ASTs. A surgeon was a component in 59.0% of cases and was significantly more likely to be present in university hospitals (89.5%, p <0.05) compared to community teaching (83.3%) and community hospitals (66.7%). Protocols for pre-operative prophylaxis and for antimicrobial treatment of surgical infections were respectively implemented in 96.2 and 82.3% of the hospitals. The majority of the surgical departments implemented both persuasive and restrictive interventions (72.8%). The most common types of interventions in surgical departments were dissemination of educational materials (62.5%), expert approval (61.0%), audit and feedback (55.1%), educational outreach (53.7%), and compulsory order forms (51.5%). Conclusion: The survey showed a heterogeneous organization of ASPs worldwide, demonstrating the necessity of a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach in the battle against antimicrobial resistance in surgical infections, and the importance of educational efforts towards this goal.Peer reviewe

Impacts of the Tropical Pacific/Indian Oceans on the Seasonal Cycle of the West African Monsoon

The current consensus is that drought has developed in the Sahel during the second half of the twentieth century as a result of remote effects of oceanic anomalies amplified by local land–atmosphere interactions. This paper focuses on the impacts of oceanic anomalies upon West African climate and specifically aims to identify those from SST anomalies in the Pacific/Indian Oceans during spring and summer seasons, when they were significant. Idealized sensitivity experiments are performed with four atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs). The prescribed SST patterns used in the AGCMs are based on the leading mode of covariability between SST anomalies over the Pacific/Indian Oceans and summer rainfall over West Africa. The results show that such oceanic anomalies in the Pacific/Indian Ocean lead to a northward shift of an anomalous dry belt from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel as the season advances. In the Sahel, the magnitude of rainfall anomalies is comparable to that obtained by other authors using SST anomalies confined to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. The mechanism connecting the Pacific/Indian SST anomalies with West African rainfall has a strong seasonal cycle. In spring (May and June), anomalous subsidence develops over both the Maritime Continent and the equatorial Atlantic in response to the enhanced equatorial heating. Precipitation increases over continental West Africa in association with stronger zonal convergence of moisture. In addition, precipitation decreases over the Gulf of Guinea. During the monsoon peak (July and August), the SST anomalies move westward over the equatorial Pacific and the two regions where subsidence occurred earlier in the seasons merge over West Africa. The monsoon weakens and rainfall decreases over the Sahel, especially in August.Peer reviewe