Effect of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Alone and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Plus Domperidone on Radiolucent Gallstones and Gallbladder Contractility in Humans

Background/Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) alone and UDCA plus domperidone on dissolution of solitary or multiple gallstones. Methods. Fifty-three patients with cholesterol gallstones were randomized into three treatment groups: group I (n = 22) was given UDCA (15 mg/kg/day) alone and group II (n = 18) was treated with domperidone (30 mg/day) in addition to UDCA. The control group (n = 13) was followed without a medical treatment. Gallbladder volumes and ejection fractions were measured sonographically in all patients before and after treatment. Results. After 12 months of treatment, stone dissolution was found in 9 (40.9%) of the patients in group I and 7 (38.8%) of the patients in group II. The difference was statistically significant compared to controls in both treatment groups (P < 0.05) but the two groups did not show a difference between each other (P > 0.05). All the patients that achieved dissolution had multiple gallstones except for one patient with a solitary stone in group I. Neither monotherapy of UDCA nor the combination with domperidone affected the ejection fraction of gallbladder. Conclusions. Combination with domperidone did not potentiate the efficacy of UDCA. It has been observed that both UDCA alone and UDCA plus domperidone treatment did not affect ejection fraction of gallbladder

Treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Acinetobacter: results of prospective and multicenter ID-IRI study

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to Acinetobacter spp. is one of the most common infections in the intensive care unit. Hence, we performed this prospective-observational multicenter study, and described the course and outcome of the disease. This study was performed in 24 centers between January 06, 2014, and December 02, 2016. The patients were evaluated at time of pneumonia diagnosis, when culture results were available, and at 72 h, at the 7th day, and finally at the 28th day of follow-up. Patients with coexistent infections were excluded and only those with a first VAP episode were enrolled. Logistic regression analysis was performed. A total of 177 patients were included; empiric antimicrobial therapy was appropriate (when the patient received at least one antibiotic that the infecting strain was ultimately shown to be susceptible) in only 69 (39%) patients. During the 28-day period, antibiotics were modified for side effects in 27 (15.2%) patients and renal dose adjustment was made in 38 (21.5%). Ultimately, 89 (50.3%) patients died. Predictors of mortality were creatinine level (OR, 1.84 (95% CI 1.279-2.657); p = 0.001), fever (OR, 0.663 (95% CI 0.454-0.967); p = 0.033), malignancy (OR, 7.095 (95% CI 2.142-23.500); p = 0.001), congestive heart failure (OR, 2.341 (95% CI 1.046-5.239); p = 0.038), appropriate empiric antimicrobial treatment (OR, 0.445 (95% CI 0.216-0.914); p = 0.027), and surgery in the last month (OR, 0.137 (95% CI 0.037-0.499); p = 0.003). Appropriate empiric antimicrobial treatment in VAP due to Acinetobacter spp. was associated with survival while renal injury and comorbid conditions increased mortality. Hence, early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy remain crucial to improve outcomes

The Relationship Between Serum Pentraxine 3 Levels and Hematological Markers in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Conclusion: We found no correlation between PTX3 and disease activity score 28 or NLR, although PTX3 levels were higher in RA patients than the controls. As a result, we were unable to establish a relationship between PTX3 and disease activity, directly or indirectly. To our knowledge, our study was the first to investigate the relationship between PTX3 and NLR

The effects of cocoa supplementation, caloric restriction, and regular exercise, on oxidative stress markers of brain and memory in the rat model

The effects of treadmill running (8 weeks, 5 times/week, 1h/day at 27 m/min), caloric restriction, and cocoa supplementation on brain function and oxidative stress markers were tested. The Morris maze test was used to appraise rat memory. Regular exercise significantly improved spatial learning performance. The level of oxidative stress was measured by the concentration of carbonylated proteins. The free radical concentration increased in brain of the training groups but not the controls. The content of reactive carbonyl derivates did not change with exercise, suggesting that the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were well tolerated in this experimental model. Caloric restriction (CR) decreased the accumulation of free radicals in the frontal lobe. The protein content of brain-derived neutrophic factors (BDNFs) was evaluated and changes did not occur either with exercise or cocoa supplementation treatments. These data did not show significant effects of the administration of cocoa (2% w/w) on the concentration of ROS, BDNF or on spatial memory. Conversely, exercise and CR can play a role in ROS generation and brain function

Integration of cardiovascular risk assessment with COVID-19 using artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI), in general, refers to the machines (or computers) that mimic "cognitive" functions that we associate with our mind, such as "learning" and "solving problem". New biomarkers derived from medical imaging are being discovered and are then fused with non-imaging biomarkers (such as office, laboratory, physiological, genetic, epidemiological, and clinical-based biomarkers) in a big data framework, to develop AI systems. These systems can support risk prediction and monitoring. This perspective narrative shows the powerful methods of AI for tracking cardiovascular risks. We conclude that AI could potentially become an integral part of the COVID-19 disease management system. Countries, large and small, should join hands with the WHO in building biobanks for scientists around the world to build AI-based platforms for tracking the cardiovascular risk assessment during COVID-19 times and long-term follow-up of the survivors

Creative destruction in science

Drawing on the concept of a gale of creative destruction in a capitalistic economy, we argue that initiatives to assess the robustness of findings in the organizational literature should aim to simultaneously test competing ideas operating in the same theoretical space. In other words, replication efforts should seek not just to support or question the original findings, but also to replace them with revised, stronger theories with greater explanatory power. Achieving this will typically require adding new measures, conditions, and subject populations to research designs, in order to carry out conceptual tests of multiple theories in addition to directly replicating the original findings. To illustrate the value of the creative destruction approach for theory pruning in organizational scholarship, we describe recent replication initiatives re-examining culture and work morality, working parents\u2019 reasoning about day care options, and gender discrimination in hiring decisions. Significance statement It is becoming increasingly clear that many, if not most, published research findings across scientific fields are not readily replicable when the same method is repeated. Although extremely valuable, failed replications risk leaving a theoretical void\u2014 reducing confidence the original theoretical prediction is true, but not replacing it with positive evidence in favor of an alternative theory. We introduce the creative destruction approach to replication, which combines theory pruning methods from the field of management with emerging best practices from the open science movement, with the aim of making replications as generative as possible. In effect, we advocate for a Replication 2.0 movement in which the goal shifts from checking on the reliability of past findings to actively engaging in competitive theory testing and theory building. Scientific transparency statement The materials, code, and data for this article are posted publicly on the Open Science Framework, with links provided in the article

Examining the generalizability of research findings from archival data

This initiative examined systematically the extent to which a large set of archival research findings generalizes across contexts. We repeated the key analyses for 29 original strategic management effects in the same context (direct reproduction) as well as in 52 novel time periods and geographies; 45% of the reproductions returned results matching the original reports together with 55% of tests in different spans of years and 40% of tests in novel geographies. Some original findings were associated with multiple new tests. Reproducibility was the best predictor of generalizability—for the findings that proved directly reproducible, 84% emerged in other available time periods and 57% emerged in other geographies. Overall, only limited empirical evidence emerged for context sensitivity. In a forecasting survey, independent scientists were able to anticipate which effects would find support in tests in new samples

Investıgatıon Of Weldabılıty Of Hıgh Strength Steels Usıng Dıfferent Weldıng Methods

İnce taneli yüksek mukavemetli düşük alaşımlı (YMDA) çeliklerin yüksek mekanik özellikleri, plastik deformasyon kabiliyeti, hafiflik ve aynı zamanda kolay kaynaklanabilirlik gibi üstün özellikleri sayesinde sanayide kullanımı giderek artmaktadır. Bu çalışmadaki deneylerde ana malzeme olarak YMDA çeliği QSTE 420 TM çelik sac plaka kullanılmıştır. QSTE 420 TM çeliğinin sahip olduğu yüksek mukavemet özelliğinin kaynaklı imalattan sonrada sürdürülebilir olması için farklı kaynak yöntemlerinde kaynaklanabilirliği araştırılmıştır. QSTE 420 TM çeliğinin kaynaklanabilirliğini etkileyen parametreler; malzeme türü, malzeme kalınlığı, seçilen kaynak yöntemi, ilave metalin kimyasal kompozisyonu ve mekanik özellikleri ve ısı girdisinden (Akım, gerilim, kaynak hızı, paso sayısı, paso türü, elektrod çapı) oluşmaktadır. Bu parametrelerin en uygun şekilde belirlenmesiyle kaynak yöntem prosedürleri (pWPS) oluşturulmuştur. Bu prosedürlerde QSTE 420 TM sac plakalara 3 grup altında sırasıyla metal aktif gaz (MAG-özlü tel ve masif tel), tungsten asal gaz (TIG), elektrik ark kaynağı (E) yönteminde alın kaynağı işlemleri yapılmıştır. Savunma ve otomotiv sanayinde en çok tercih edilen sac plaka kalınlıkları TIG'de '2,5' mm, MAG'da '4', '8' mm, E'de '8' mm ölçülerindedir. Farklı ilave kaynak metalleri kullanılarak 3 grup (MAG, TIG, E) altında yapılan deneylerde plakalardan elde edilen standart numuneler mekanik testler (Çekme, eğme, çentik - darbe, sertlik testleri) ve makro grafik, mikro grafik muayenelerden geçirilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar ana malzeme mukavemet değerleri ile kıyaslanarak kaynaklanabilirlik incelenmiştir. Ayrıca ilave metal türü ve değişken ısı girdilerinin, mekanik ve metalografik özelliklere olan etkileri de irdelenmiştir. Bu sayede hatalı kaynak yöntemi ve parametre seçimi nedeniyle, ana malzemenin mekanik ve teknolojik özelliklerini zayıflatan yüksek ısı girdisinin neden olduğu tane irileşmesi, çarpılma ve mukavemet kaybı sebebiyle ortaya çıkan hurda ve fire miktarı azaltılmıştır. Tüm deney sonuçlarının kaynaklanabilirliği QSTE420TM ana malzemenin mukavemet değerleri ile referans alınarak değerlendirilmiş ve her kaynak metodunda en uygun sonuçlara sahip deneyler belirlenmiştirHigh mechanical properties of fine-grained high-strength low - alloy (HSLA) steels, plastic deformation capability, lightness, and also superior weldability, such as easy weldability, are increasingly used in the industry. In this study, HSLA steel QSTE 420 TM steel sheet plate was used as the main material. The weldability of QSTE 420 TM steel in different welding methods has been investigated in order to be sustainable after welded production. Parameters affecting the weldability of QSTE 420 TM steel; It consists of material type, material thickness, chosen welding method, chemical composition and mechanical properties of additional metal and heat input (current, voltage, welding speed, number of passes, pass type, electrode diameter). The welding process procedures (pWPS) were established by optimal determination of these parameters. In these procedures QSTE 420 TM sheet metal plates under 3 groups respectively, metal active gas (MAG-cored wire and solid wire), tungsten noble gas (TIG), electric arc welding (E) method has been taken forehead welding. The most preferred sheet plate thicknesses in defense and automotive industry are '2.5' mm in TIG, MAG'da '4', '8' mm, E 'in' 8 'mm. The standard samples obtained from the plates in the tests carried out under 3 groups (MAG, TIG, E) using different additional welding metals were subjected to mechanical tests (tensile, bending, notch - impact, hardness tests) and macro graphics, micro graphical tests. The obtained results were compared with the main material strength values and the weldability was examined. In addition, the effects of additional metal type and variable heat inputs on mechanical and metallographic properties were also examined. So, due to faulty welding method and parameter selection, the amount of scrap and waste due to grain growth, distortion and strength loss caused by high heat input which weakens the mechanical and technological properties of the main material has been reduced. The weldability of all test results was evaluated with reference to the strength values of the QSTE420TM base material and experiments with optimum results were determined in each welding metho