Clinical significance of NCOA5 gene rs2903908 polymorphism in Behçet`s disease

Behçet’s disease (BD) is an autoimmune multisystemic disease. The precise etiology of BD is not fully understood; however, it is thought that interactions between genetic and environmental factors play an essential role in its pathogenesis. The nuclear receptor coactivator-5 (NCOA5) gene encodes a coregulator for nuclear receptor sub- family 1 group D member 2 (NR1D2) and estrogen receptor 1 and 2 (ESR1 and ESR2). Also, the NCOA5 gene insufficiency leads to an elevated expression of IL-6, and increased levels of IL-6 were found to be related to the pathogenesis of BD. In this study, we aimed to clarify the impact of the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism on susceptibility and clinical findings of BD. This study included 671 participants (300 BD patients and 371 healthy controls). The analyses of NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism was performed by using the TaqMan allelic discrim- ination assay. The frequency of TT genotype of the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism was found significantly higher in BD patients compared to those in healthy controls (p=0.016, OR=1.46, 95 % CI=1.08–1.99). Also, the frequencies of CT genotype was observed significantly higher in BD patients with genital ulceration and uveitis than without genital ulceration and uveitis (p=0.002 and p=0.005, respectively). The most significant association was found between C allele frequencies of BD patients with and without uveitis (p=0.0001). Our study represents e first time that the NCOA5 rs2903908 polymorphism seemed to be linked to BD susceptibility and clinical findings

Platelet indices in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Aim: We aimed to compare platelet counts (Plt), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW) values of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients with those of healthy subjects. Methods: The records of 39 T1DM patients who were hospitalized between January 2016 and May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Control group consisted age and body mass index matched nondiabetic patients. Subjects having history of cardiovascular disease or any other systemic disease were excluded. Results: Compared to control group Plt (270±63 vs. 215±35 k/mm3), PCT (0.217±0.057 vs. 0.168±0.034 %) and PDW [17.4(16.2-20.4) vs. 17(12.5-19.4) %] were significantly higher in T1DM patients. Conclusion: Platelet indices which are common, simple and inexpensive hemogram parameters are increased T1DM patients

Numerical study of AC loss of two-layer HTS power transmission cables composed of coated conductors with a ferromagnetic substrate

WOS: 000412571400004This work includes the simulation of hysteretic AC losses in two-layer HTS power transmission cables made of second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes with a ferromagnetic substrate subject to an oscillating AC transport current, calling upon the COMSOL Multiphysics finite-element software program and exploiting an AC/DC module. How the AC transport loss is influenced by the arrangement of tapes, as well as the optimized design of superconducting power cables based on YBCO-coated conductors, are investigated. According to the radial arrangement of the tapes, four different orientations of ferromagnetic substrate are considered: 1) out-in (substrate of inner/outer layer facing outward/inward), 2) in-out (substrate of inner/outer layer facing inward/outward), 3) in-in (substrates of both inner and outer layers facing inward), and 4) out-out (substrates of both inner and outer layers facing outward). We found that the AC loss of the superconducting layer for the out-in arrangement is the lowest. We also compare our calculations with experimental results.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [110T876]This work was fully supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under grant number 110T876

A Comparative Study of AC Transport and Eddy Current Losses for Coil Made of HTS Tapes Coated with Copper Stabilizer

WOS: 000412085400040In this work, the evaluation of AC loss of the pancake coils wound by HTS-coated conductors, by employing the finite element method in 2D, is presented. The transport current loss of the superconducting tape and the eddy current loss of the copper stabilizer as a function of the amplitude for four frequencies of the applied current are examined numerically by utilizing a newly developed calculation method based on the A - V formulation embedded in COMSOL Multiphysics software with an AC/DC module. The number of the coil turn is 10, and the radius is about 60 mm. The superconducting layer width and height in the simulations are 12 and 1 mm, respectively. The width and height of the copper layers are 12 and 80 mm, respectively. The critical current density of tapes is taken as 300 A.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [114F424]This study is supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the grant number 114F424

Vitamin D supplementation and breast cancer prevention : a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

In recent years, the scientific evidence linking vitamin D status or supplementation to breast cancer has grown notably. To investigate the role of vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer incidence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing vitamin D with placebo or no treatment. We used OVID to search MEDLINE (R), EMBASE and CENTRAL until April 2012. We screened the reference lists of included studies and used the “Related Article” feature in PubMed to identify additional articles. No language restrictions were applied. Two reviewers independently extracted data on methodological quality, participants, intervention, comparison and outcomes. Risk Ratios and 95% Confident Intervals for breast cancer were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. In sensitivity analysis, we assessed the impact of vitamin D dosage and mode of administration on treatment effects. Only two randomized controlled trials fulfilled the pre-set inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis included 5372 postmenopausal women. Overall, Risk Ratios and 95% Confident Intervals were 1.11 and 0.74–1.68. We found no evidence of heterogeneity. Neither vitamin D dosage nor mode of administration significantly affected breast cancer risk. However, treatment efficacy was somewhat greater when vitamin D was administered at the highest dosage and in combination with calcium (Risk Ratio 0.58, 95% Confident Interval 0.23–1.47 and Risk Ratio 0.93, 95% Confident Interval 0.54–1.60, respectively). In conclusions, vitamin D use seems not to be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer development in postmenopausal women. However, the available evidence is still limited and inadequate to draw firm conclusions. Study protocol code: FARM8L2B5L

The investigation of association between IL-1Ra and ACE I/D polymorphisms in carpal tunnel syndrome

WOS: 000423046100052PubMed ID: 28370589BackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurologic impairment caused by injury on the median nerve in the wrist, characterized by pain and loss of sensory. CTS usually occurs through three factors, such as a mechanical pressure on median nerve, immunologic changes, and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphisms on the susceptibility of patients to the CTS. MethodsOne hundred fifty-eight patients with CTS and 151 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Each patient was analyzed according to diseases symptoms, such as gender, a positive Tinel's sign, a positive Phalen maneuver, disease sides, EMG findings, and clinical stage. We applied the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the polymorphisms of IL-1Ra and ACE I/D. ResultsThe statistically significant relation was not found between IL-1Ra, ACE I/D polymorphisms and CTS (respectively, P>.05; P>.05, OR: 1.51, CI: 0.82-1.61). Additionally, in the result of the statistical analysis compared with gene polymorphisms and clinical characteristics, we did not find any correlation (P>.05). ConclusionsOur findings showed that there are no associations of IL-1Ra and ACE I/D polymorphisms with susceptibility of a person for the development of CTS. So, it means that these polymorphisms do not create a risk for the development of CTS. Further studies with larger populations will be required to confirm these findings in different study populations

Evaluation of electrocardiographic ventricular and atrial repolarization markers in patients with high grade varicocele

Aim: Varicocele is abnormal dilation of testis veins without unclear pathophysiology. Morphological studies showed imbalance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilator mechanisms. We aimed to determine the relationship between varicocele and cardiovascular system disorders with electrocardiography (ECG) parameters. Methods: This is a prospective study which was conducted in a University Hospital between February and June 2018. Thirty patients (18-45 years old) with high grade varicocele from urology outpatient clinic and 32 healthy volunteers for the control group were recruited to the study.  Results: P-min. value was significantly higher in control group than patients with high grade varicocele (p= 0.03). PR, QT and QTc intervals, PWD and P-max values were similar. Also, there were no significant differences in terms of the other ECG parameters between the groups. Conclusions: In this small prospective study we have found no association between high grade varicocele and potential electrocardiographic arrhythmia predictors namely OTd, QTc interval, PWD, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio and Tp-e/QTc ratio. Long-term follow-up and large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm our results

COMFORTABLE AND PROTECTIVE HYBRID WEFT-KNIT PLATED FABRIC FROM GLASS AND WOOL/ACRYLIC YARNS

In this study, hybrid weft-knit plated fabrics were produced by co-feeding glass and wool/acrylic blend yarns. While the wool/acrylic yarn in contact with skin is expected to provide comfort, the glass yarn next to the environment is to provide protection. The physical, structural, air permeability, bursting strength, and the protection against flame properties of glass plus wool/acrylic plated fabric were compared with the reference fabrics consisting completely of glass or wool/acrylic blend yarn. Two factors: the yarn composition and the cam setting of the knitting machine were considered. Two-ply of glass yarn was fed to the each face of the reference glass fabric, and a single-ply of wool/acrylic yarn was fed to the each face of the reference wool/acrylic fabric. On the other hand, while the hybrid plated fabric’s back face accommodated two-ply of glass yarn, its front face involved a single-ply of wool/acrylic yarn. Two different cam settings, loose and tight, were selected. The physical and the structural properties of the fabrics were measured. Then, air permeability, bursting strength, and the protection against flame tests were performed. Test results were subjected to detailed statistical data analysis and how they were affected by the yarn composition and the cam setting was presented with visual and self-explanatory graphs