Is There a Correlation between New Scoring Systems and Systemic Inflammation in Stable Bronchiectasis?

Aim. The present study aimed to investigate the relation between FACED and BSI scores, which were developed to measure the severity of bronchiectasis, and systemic inflammation in patients with stable bronchiectasis. Methods. FACED and BSI scores of 117 patients with stable bronchiectasis were calculated. The correlations between mean scores and CRP levels, leukocyte count, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were investigated. Findings. Mean BSI and FACED scores were 7.2 ± 5.2 and 2.1 ± 1.8, respectively. The severity of bronchiectasis as determined based on BSI and FACED increased significantly with increasing levels of CRP in patients with stable bronchiectasis (p=0.001 and p=0.027, resp.). No significant changes were found in leukocyte count (p=0.72 and p=0.09, resp.) and N/L ratio (p=0.45 and p=0.71, resp.). BSI and FACED scores were significantly correlated with CRP but not with leukocyte count or N/L ratio. Conclusion. In patients with stable bronchiectasis who are evaluated based on FACED and BSI scores, CRP can be a useful biomarker as a direct indicator of the severity of systemic inflammation

Smoking prevalence among elementary school-age children in Sirnak province in Turkey

Conclusion: The findings suggested that smoking prevalence can be high and nicotine addiction can be common among elementary school-aged children (age interval: 6-14 years) in Sirnak in Turkey, in addition to demonstrating that these children can easily access tobacco without experiencing any difficulties

Application of thermodynamic laws on a military helicopter engine

By definition, a turboshaft engine is simply a gas turbine used to deliver shaft power such as to a helicopter rotor. This paper presents the energetic and exergetic analyses of a turboshaft engine which is used for military helicopter at various load values. The main objectives of this study are to assess the performance of the engine and to calculate the amount of exergy destructions in the components of the engine. The calculations were performed at four different load values (284 N.m for test #1, 436 N. m for test #2, 547 N. m for test #3 and 579 N.m for test #4) and all analyses were performed and presented on the basis of the experimental engine ground test data together with a theoretical thermodynamic performance evaluation. The exergetic performance parameters, such as the relative exergy destruction, the fuel depletion ratio, the productivity lack, the improvement potential were also investigated. The exergy destruction values for the combustion chamber, which has the highest exergy destruction among all the components, were calculated as 117030 kW, 1474.50 kW, 1650.12 kW, and 1702.50 kW for tests #1, #2, #3 and #4, respectively. In addition, the ratio of the exergy destruction to the total exergy destruction was obtained to be the highest in the combustion chamber (88.81%) at test #2; whereas this ratio was found to be the lowest in the high-pressure turbine (0.75%) at test #2. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Performance of a microjet using component map scaling

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the cycle performance of a small size turbojet engine used in unmanned aerial vehicles at 0-5,000 m altitude and 0-0.8 Mach flight speeds with real component maps

Environmental assessment of a micro turbojet engine with the aid of exergy

© 2016, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. All rights reserved.Environmental impact of the aviation industry has been an important issue in last decade. In order to decrease the environmental effect and to improve the efficiency of aero engines, one needs to understand the performance evaluation factors. As a case study, a small experimental turbojet engine developed in context of rapid growth of R/C aerial vehicle applications and small aerial vehicles is examined. Within this scope, the current paper discusses performance and environmental impact of a turbojet engine used on R/C unmanned aerial vehicles with the aid of exergy and emission paramaters. In the end of the study, major exergy, environmental and emission measures of the engine are revealed. Exergy analysis methodology is a well-accepted tool for investigation of energy conversion systems working in accordance with the thermodynamic principles. It helps to develop, assess and make improvements on them. So that, this exemplifying study may lead future studies on environmental impact assessment of various engine types that are still in service in the aviation industry

Exergetic and exergoeconomic assessment of a small-scale turbojet fuelled with biodiesel

Exergetic performance and exergoeconomic analyses of a small-scale turbojet engine fuelled with either conventional aviation fuel or biofuel are conducted; and the performance and cost flow of the engine are assessed. The analyses are performed through component-based exergy and cost calculations. The main components of the engine are the air compressor, the combustion chamber and the high-pressure turbine. The results show that the exergy efficiencies of the engine components are obtained as 74.52% for the air compressor, 47.68% for the combustion chamber, and 99.00% for the high-pressure turbine for the biofuel test case. On the other hand, when the engine is fed with the conventional aviation jet fuel, the exergy efficiencies of the air compressor, the combustion chamber, and the high-pressure turbine are calculated as 75.22%, 48.34% and 98.44%, respectively. In addition, the cost rate of thrust is calculated as 79.08 US$/h.kN for the jet fuel case and 91.89 US$/h.kN for the biofuel test case. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Lung cancer in patients diagnosed with silicosis should be investigated

Silicosis is an interstitial lung disease developing as a result of inhalation of inorganic silica particles. In silicosis cases developing as a result of environmental and occupational exposure, an increase is observed in Turkey especially depending upon denim sandblasting. We present a 35-year-old female case who was applied to our hospital due to complaint of progressive dyspnea, had a history of working in denim sandblasting for 18 months, were diagnosed with silicosis as a result of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma as a result of transbronchial lung biopsy made due to clinical deterioration and radiological progression within three months. The purpose of this report was to point out that lung cancer can develop in patients followed up with diagnosis of silicosis or radiologic findings in silicosis can be confused with lung cancer. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Ultrastructural stages of biofilm development of Escherichia coli on urethral catheters and effects of antibiotics on biofilm formation

WOS: 000242592500005PubMed ID: 17113884Objectives. Biofilm formation on biomaterials by various kinds of bacteria renders the infection chronic, and the bacteria can become resistant to the immune system and antibiotics. Developmental biofilm stages of Escherichia coli on urethral catheters have not yet been thoroughly demonstrated. We aimed to show biofilm formation of E. coli on urethral catheters, and the effects of various antibacterial agents on this formation using scanning electron microscopy. Methods. Using urine infected with uropathogenic E. coli type 04 (105 to 106 colony forming units/mL), biofilm was formed on latex/silicone balloon catheters in a modified Robbin's device. The study included an infected-only group and four antibiotic study groups (ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, gentamicin, and trimethoprim). The catheters were infused with the antibiotic solutions once before placement in the modified Robbin's devices. Ten 5-mm catheter samples were taken for all groups on the first, fourth, and seventh days. The 4 and 12-hour and 2-day samplings were also taken from the infected-only group. The catheter samples were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and given scores according to the level of formation. Results. The biofilm layers emerged between 4 and 12 hours after infection in the infected-only group and had developed completely between 12 and 24 hours. The antibiotics, especially cefuroxime, significantly delayed this process for up to 4 days. However, the biofilm had developed completely in almost all catheter samples after 4 to 7 days. Conclusions. Biofilm of E. coli on urethral catheters had completed their maturation at 12 to 24 hours. For short-term urethral catheterization, a single dose of antibiotic can delay the development of biofilm for up to 4 days but eventually cannot prevent it

The relationship between restless legs syndrome and bronchial asthma

ConclusionsRLS was more frequent in people with asthma than in healthy individuals, and as asthma control decreased, frequency of RLS increased. It was concluded that it would be useful to evaluate people with asthma, particularly those with symptoms of depression and anxiety, with regard to RLS in order to address, and ultimately improve, their quality of life