EFFECT OF SUGAMMADEX AND NEOSTIGMINE ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL:A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Objectives: Sugammadex is offered as a recent alternative to cholinesterase inhibitors in reversing neuromuscular block. Sugammadex is a cyclodextrin molecule that is consisted of bounded sugar molecules. Given its chemical structure, sugammadex may increase blood glucose levels. We aimed to investigate the effect of sugammadex on blood glucose and compare sugammadex to the conventional reverse agent Neostigmine. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing medium-term abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group N (n = 30) and Group S (n = 30). The dose of 50 μg/kg Neostigmine and 20 μg/kg atropine was administered for the patients in Group N and 2 mg/kg sugammadex was administered for the patients in Group S. Blood glucose levels were measured at 15 minutes before (T1) and at 30th minute of surgery (T2). Blood glucose levels were recorded 30 minutes (T3), 2 hours (T4) and 4 hours (T5) after administration of the reversing agent. Results: Blood glucose levels that were measured at T3, T4 and T5 were significantly higher in Group S compared to Group N (p<0.05). We consider that sugammadex contains glucose molecules and does not bind to plasma proteins, may cause an increase in blood glucose level and this increase may be associated with chemical structure of sugammadex rather than surgical stress of patients

Improvement the thermal performance of Myristic acid

Paper presented to the 10th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Florida, 14-16 July 2014.This study mainly focus on two aspects; the first one is to increase the thermal conductivity of Myristic acid with graphene additives and the second one is to determine the influence of this increment on the melting duration of a particular encapsulated thermal energy storage system with PCM. As a result, thermal conductivity of composite myristic acid increased by 8%, 18% and 38% after graphene loadings of 0.5%, 1% and 2% into the pure MA, respectively. Besides, one-dimensional spherical computational domain has been considered, and the conduction dominated phase change process simulated with implementing temperature transformation method. Validity of the current code has been revealed by reproducing a numerical work in literature. For this particular case, it is found that the increments of 8%, 18% and 38% in thermal conductivity tend to reduce the total time of melting by 5.6%, 15% and 26%.dc201

Effects of magnesium sulphate on liver ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model

Aim: To investigate the protective efficacy of magnesium sulphate in a model of rat liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Method: 32 adult female Wistar-Albino rats (250 to 350 g) were used in this experimental study. Rats were divided into 4 groups according to liver ischemia and magnesium sulfate application methods. Group 1 (C); control, group 2 (M); magnesium sulphate, group 3 (I/R); liver I/R, group 4 (I/R+M); I/R + magnesium sulphate treated. The blood samples were centrifuged for the study of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR) troponin I, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) assays. The livers of the animals were removed at the end of the study and samples were taken for histopathological examination. Results: AST and INR values were significantly decreased in I/R+M group compared to I/R group. There was no significant difference in ALT values of the groups. Although not statistically significant, the TAS values were increased in I/R + M group compared to I/R group rats. In addition, the value of TOS was found to be lower in I/R + M group rats. In the histopathological examination, the mean values of apoptosis and necrosis were lower in the IR+M group compared to the IR group. Conclusion: The main finding of the present study suggested that magnesium sulphate pretreatment moderately decreased the liver damage through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in a rat model of liver I/R

Spinal versus general anesthesia in retrograde intrarenal surgery

Aim: The indications for retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) have greatly increased, however, there is still no consensus on the use of spinal anesthesia (SA) during this procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparability of surgical outcomes of RIRS performed under SA versus general GA for renal stones. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective, observational study in patients scheduled for RIRS in a single teaching hospital in Turkey. Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years and the presence of single or multiple renal stones. We recorded information concerning the site of lithiasis, the number of calculi, total stone burden, and the presence of concomitant ureteral stones or hydronephrosis. Results were evaluated in terms of surgical outcome, intraoperative and postoperative complications. Patients were followed-up until day 90 from discharge. Results: The data of 502 patients, 252 in GA group and 250 in SA group, were evaluated. The stone-free rate was 81% in the GA group and 85% in the SA group (p = 0.12). No cases of conversion from SA to GA were recorded. Complication rates were similar in the 2 groups (19% vs 14.5%, p = 0.15). Conclusions: In our cohort, RIRS performed under SA and GA was equivalent in terms of surgical results and complications

Determination of properties of Althaea officinalis L. (Marshmallow) fibres as a potential plant fibre in polymeric composite materials

WOS: 000328801200024The mechanical, thermal, chemical, crystallographic and morphological properties of althaea fibres, extracted from Althaea officinalis L, was examined for the first time in this study. A. officinalis L. was obtained from Mordogan, Izmir (Turkey). After extraction process, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose contents of althaea fibres were identified. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were utilized for surface functional groups of althaea fibres. By using X-ray diffraction analysis, CI value for althaea fibre is obtained to be 68%. The images of scanning electron microscopy were taken for observation of morphology of althaea fibres. The tensile modulus and tensile strength values of althaea fibre were obtained by single fibre tensile tests as 415.2 MPa and 65.4 GPa, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal degradation of the fibre begins at approximately 220 degrees C. Besides, by pulling out the althea fibre from the embedded high density polyethylene, interfacial shear strength value was determined to be 8.16 MPa. The results suggest that the althaea fibre can be used in composite applications as a natural reinforcement material. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Extraction and properties of Ferula communis (chakshir) fibers as novel reinforcement for composites materials

WOS: 000313854200062The aim of this study is to examine the use of Ferula communis fibers as potential reinforcement in polymer composites. The fibers are extracted from the F. communis plant which grows in Selcuk, Izmir in western Turkey. The chemical composition of ferula fibers in terms of cellulose, lignin, and ash contents was determined. Surface functional groups of ferula fibers were obtained by fourier transform infrared and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy. Crystallinity index and crystallite size were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The morphology of ferula fibers was investigated through scanning electron microscopy, the thermal behavior through thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses. The real density of ferula fibers was measured by means of Archimedes method with ethanol. The mechanical properties of F. communis were measured through single fiber tensile tests. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) in a polyester matrix has been estimated from the pull-out test. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Natural Science Foundation of Dokuz Eylul University under BAPDokuz Eylul University [2008145]The Authors sincerely acknowledge Natural Science Foundation of Dokuz Eylul University under BAP Grant No. 2008145 due to differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Also we thank Prof. Dr. Mithat Yuksel, Burhan SIMSIR and Selman Gulsen for their contributions to the study

Preparation and Properties of Rice Husk-Filled Plasticized Wheat Gluten Biocomposites

WOS: 000337668900001Rice husk (RH) reinforced wheat gluten/glycerol (Gly/Glut) and rice husk (R) reinforced wheat gluten-glycerol/chitosan-polyethylene glycol (Gly/Glut-CP) biocomposites with varying rice husk loading were prepared. Morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of the biocomposites were investigated by scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analyzer, and tensile testing machine, respectively. Water absorption properties and surface functional groups of the biocomposite films were determined by weight measurement and attentuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The results were discussed in terms of chitosan-polyethylene glycol (CP) and rice husk content. Although CP and 1-g rice husk addition decreased maximum degradation temperature of Gly/Glut film, adding of more rice husk did not considerably change the maximum degradation temperature. As a result of adding CP, the tensile strength of Gly/Glut film was increased by about 183%, whereas tensile modulus was decreased by about 34%. (C) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineer

Concentration Effect of gamma-Glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane on the Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber-Epoxy Composites

WOS: 000269341500008In this study, glass fibers. were modified using gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane of different concentrations to improve the interfacial adhesion at interfaces between fibers and matrix. Effects of gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites were investigated experimentally. Mechanical properties of the composites have been investigated by tensile tests, short beam tests, and flexural tests. The short-beam method was used to measure the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of laminates. The tensile and flexural properties of composites were characterized by tensile and three-point bending tests, respectively. The fracture surfaces of the composites were observed with a scanning electron microscope. On comparing the results obtained for the different concentrations of silane solution, it was found that the 0.5% GPS silane treatment provided the best mechanical properties. The ILSS value of heat-cleaned glass fiber reinforced composite is enhanced by similar to 59% as a result of the glass fiber treatment with 0.5% gamma-GPS. Also, an improvement of about 37% in tensile strength, about 78% in flexural strength of the composite with the 0.5% gamma-GPS treatment of glass fibers was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 30:1251-1257, 2009. (C) 2008 Society of Plastics EngineersResearch Foundation of Dokuz Eylul UniversityDokuz Eylul University [2007.KB.FEN.007]Contract grant sponsor: Research Foundation of Dokuz Eylul University; contract grant number: 2007.KB.FEN.007

Hybrid carbon filled thermoplastic composites: synergistic effect of synthetic graphite and graphene nanoplatelets on thermal and mechanical properties of polyamide 4.6

In comparison with conventional polyamides, polyamide 4.6 is known as one of the high-temperature polyamides due to polymer chain constituents which also enhances its dimensional stability, creep resistance, and chemical resistance. The effect of hybrid synthetic graphite and graphene nanoplatelets fillers on thermal conductivity of polyamide 4.6 based composites was investigated in this study. Synthetic graphite and graphene nanoplatelets filled polyamide 4.6 based composites were fabricated using a twin-screw extruder. The variations on electrical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties were also examined. The highest in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivity values were obtained for hybrid 40 wt.% synthetic graphite and 5 wt.% graphene nanoplatelets filled composites as 21.65 and 4.04 W/mK, respectively. It was reported that the usage of hybrid carbon fillers in polyamide 4.6 leads to better thermal conductivity value..Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey; Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu [117M088]The authors are grateful for the funding from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey; Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu [Project no: 117M088]

Variations of mechanical properties of jute/polyester composite aged in various media

Woven roving jute fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites were subjected to water absorption tests in order to study the effects of water ageing on the mechanical properties. Composite specimens were immersed in distilled water and salt water up to 2736 h. The water absorption of specimens reached to an equilibrium level after an immersion time of 300 h. It was observed that tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear strengths (ILSSs) of jute/polyester composites decreased depending on the immersion time. The ILSS values of the composites were reduced by more than 53% for both the distilled water and the salt water after an immersion time of 2736 h