SÜREÇ ESNEKLİĞİ SİSTEMLERİNDE OPERASYONEL MALİYETLERE DAYALI SİSTEM TASARIMI OPTİMİZASYONU

Amaç: Bu çalışma, süreç esnekliği varsayımında farklı esneklik yapılarının işletmelerde üretim-envanter kararlarını ve ilgili operasyonel maliyetleri nasıl etkilediğini incelemektedir. Çalışmanın amacı, süreç esnekliği probleminde optimal sistem tasarımı kararlarının bulunması ve bu kararların envanter maliyetleriyle ilişkisinin incelenmesidir. Yöntem: Çalışma kapsamında; planlama ufku boyunca envanter maliyetlerini ve esneklik yatırımlarının amortismanını içeren problem, karma tam sayılı doğrusal programlama ile modellenerek çözülmüştür. Bulgular: Sunulan model kullanılarak, optimum envanter, üretim ve sistem tasarımı kararları verilmiştir ve planlama ufku boyunca karşılık gelen maliyetler hesaplanmıştır. Yapılan analizler çalışmada sunulan modelden elde edilen optimal tasarımın, literatürde geleneksel esneklik tasarımları içerisinde en düşük ortalama maliyetleri sağlayan ikili zincir tasarımından dâhi daha iyi sonuç verdiğini göstermiştir. Özgünlük: Bildiğimiz kadarıyla, bu çalışma literatürde envanter ve yatırım maliyetlerini içeren ve optimal esneklik tasarımlarını operasyonel maliyetler açısından değerlendiren ilk çalışmadır

Evaluation of salivary stress markers and inflammatory cytokine levels in peri-implantitis patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Psychological stress has been identified in some observational studies as a potential factor that may modify and affect periodontal diseases, but there are no similar data for peri-implantitis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, interferon (IFN)α inflammatory cytokines and the psychological stress-related markers, glucocorticoid receptor-α (GRα), and salivary α-amylase (sAA) gene expression levels in saliva samples obtained from healthy implants and peri-implantitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included a total of 50 systemically healthy subjects. Peri-implant clinical parameters were recorded and psychological stress level was evaluated with the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) questionnaire forms. Following the evaluations, the patients were divided into 4 groups according their stress and clinical status (Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb). IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IFNα, GRα, sAA gene expression levels in the saliva samples were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS In the group of peri-implantitis who had a high score in stress level assessment scales, significantly higher IL-1β, IL-6, sAA expression levels were observed (p < 0.001). The IL-10 gene expression levels were lower in the groups with a high score in the stress level assessment scales (p < 0.001). GRα gene was expressed at lower levels in the group of peri-implantitis who had a high score in stress level assessment scales but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.065). CONCLUSION The study findings suggest that psychological stress may increase the inflammation associated with peri-implantitis by affecting cytokine expression levels. CLINICAL RELEVANCE To prevent peri-implantitis or reduce its prevalence, it could be beneficial to evaluate stress levels and identify individuals experiencing stress

Synchronous Detection of Hairy Cell Leukemia and HIV-Negative Kaposi's Sarcoma of the Lymph Node: A Diagnostic Challenge and a Rare Coincidence

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon chronic lymphoproliferative disorder and accounts for around 2% of all forms of leukemias. The association of HCL with other neoplasms, mainly non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, is well known. However, the simultaneous diagnosis of HCL and Kaposi's sarcoma is rare, with only few cases of such an association having been reported. We describe a 42-year-old male patient with a well characterized HCL and in whom HIV-negative Kaposi's sarcoma of the lymph node was detected

Bacteremia due to Acinetobacter ursingii in infants: Reports of two cases

Acinetobacter ursingii is an aerobic, gram-negative, opportunistic microorganism which is rarely isolated among Acinetobacter species. We present two immunocompetent infants who developed bacteremia due to A.ursingii. The first patient is a two -month- old boy who had been hospitalized in pediatric surgery unit for suspected tracheo-esophageal fistula because of recurrent aspiration pneumonia unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. The second patient is a fourteen -month- old boy with prolonged vomiting and diarrhea. A. ursingii was isolated from their blood cultures. They were successfully treated with ampicillin-sulbactam. Although A.ursingii has recently been isolated from a clinical specimen; reports of infection with A.ursingii in children are rare. A.ursingii should be kept in mind as an opportunistic microorganism in children.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Genotyping of the ? – casein gene by PCR – RFLP (AcuI digestion) and its relationship to milk yield traits in Anatolian buffaloes, Murrah buffaloes, and their crosses

The aim of this study was to investigate the polymorphism of the ? – casein gene (kappa casein, CSN3) in buffaloes and determine its effects on milk yield traits. Data were obtained from 2016 to 2019 from all animals in the ongoing Anatolian Buffalo Breeding Project. Genomic DNA was collected from a total of 209 buffaloes of different ages and sexes, namely 31 Murrah, 46 Anatolian buffaloes, and 132 of their crosses (Murrah × Anatolian). Genotyping of CSN3 gene by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR – RFLP) technique with restriction enzyme (AcuI) revealed three genotypes: AA (0.689), AB (0.282), and BB (0.028), and the frequencies of A and B alleles were 0.83 and 0.17, respectively. A total of 113 milk yield data and 74 milk component analyses of dairy buffaloes were used to compare CSN3 genotypes for milk yield traits. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in lactation milk yield between CSN3 genotypes: BB, 1560.3 ± 326.7 kg, AB, 1278.1 ± 111.3 kg, and AA, 1060.9 ± 85.6 kg (p 0.05). These results suggest that these variations $(135^{ThrACC} / IleATC /136^{ThrACC} / ThrACT)$ in the buffalo CSN3 gene may be used as genetic markers in dairy buffalo breeding programs

Anxiety Levels of Children with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Their Mothers at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Change in the First Year

We aimed to assess anxiety of children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and their primary caregivers at the beginning of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and change in levels of anxiety in first year with prolongation of pandemic. This was a two-step study; first step was questionnaire-based, conducted via teleconference. In first step, 29 patients and 105 healthy children and their mothers were participated; 25 children with PCD and their mothers were in second step. Demographic characteristics, clinical informations were recorded. Children’s and mothers’ state and trait anxiety levels were assessed and compared. Anxiety levels of mothers of patients were assessed according to clinical characteristics of children. Mothers’ knowledge of COVID-19 and effect of teleconference on their anxiety was evaluated. State anxiety levels in the first year of pandemic of children with PCD and their mothers were also compared. Compared to control group, state anxiety of children in 13-18 age group and trait anxiety of their mothers were lower (p<0.05). In both groups, trait and state anxiety of 13-18 years old children and mothers positively correlated. Trait anxiety of mothers of patients negatively correlated with patients’ FEV1 and MEF25-75. Patients’ mothers reported feeling less anxiety at the end of teleconference. Anxiety of mothers of patients (especially under 9 years old) had increased as pandemic continued. At the beginning of pandemic, children with PCD were less anxious than healthy children, and their mothers had lower trait anxiety than mothers of healthy children. Being followed for chronic disease and obtaining information about COVID-19 may have reduced anxiety of children with PCD and their mothers. However, as pandemic continues, need to protect their children with PCD from infection, especially of mothers with younger children, may have raised their concerns

Novel M tuberculosis Antigen-Specific T-Cells Are Early Markers of Infection and Disease Progression

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Region-of-Difference-1 gene products present opportunities for specific diagnosis of M. tuberculosis infection, yet immune responses to only two gene-products, Early Secretory Antigenic Target-6 (ESAT-6) and Culture Filtrate Protein-10 (CFP-10), have been comprehensively investigated.T-cell responses to Rv3873, Rv3878 and Rv3879c were quantified by IFN-γ-enzyme-linked-immunospot (ELISpot) in 846 children with recent household tuberculosis exposure and correlated with kinetics of tuberculin skin test (TST) and ESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISpot conversion over six months and clinical outcome over two years.Responses to Rv3873, Rv3878, and Rv3879c were present in 20-25% of contacts at enrolment. Rv3873 and Rv3879c responses were associated with and preceded TST conversion (P=0.02 and P=0.04 respectively), identifying these antigens as early targets of cell-mediated immunity following M. tuberculosis exposure. Responses to Rv3873 were additionally associated with subsequent ESAT-6/CFP-10-ELISpot conversion (P=0.04). Responses to Rv3873 and Rv3878 predicted progression to active disease (adjusted incidence rate ratio [95% CI] 3.06 [1.05,8.95; P=0.04], and 3.32 [1.14,9.71; P=0.03], respectively). Presence of a BCG-vaccination scar was associated with a 67% (P=0.03) relative risk reduction for progression to active tuberculosis.These RD1-derived antigens are early targets of cellular immunity following tuberculosis exposure and T-cells specific for these antigens predict progression to active tuberculosis suggesting diagnostic and prognostic utility

sodC-Based Real-Time PCR for Detection of Neisseria meningitidis

Real-time PCR (rt-PCR) is a widely used molecular method for detection of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm). Several rt-PCR assays for Nm target the capsule transport gene, ctrA. However, over 16% of meningococcal carriage isolates lack ctrA, rendering this target gene ineffective at identification of this sub-population of meningococcal isolates. The Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase gene, sodC, is found in Nm but not in other Neisseria species. To better identify Nm, regardless of capsule genotype or expression status, a sodC-based TaqMan rt-PCR assay was developed and validated. Standard curves revealed an average lower limit of detection of 73 genomes per reaction at cycle threshold (Ct) value of 35, with 100% average reaction efficiency and an average R2 of 0.9925. 99.7% (624/626) of Nm isolates tested were sodC-positive, with a range of average Ct values from 13.0 to 29.5. The mean sodC Ct value of these Nm isolates was 17.6±2.2 (±SD). Of the 626 Nm tested, 178 were nongroupable (NG) ctrA-negative Nm isolates, and 98.9% (176/178) of these were detected by sodC rt-PCR. The assay was 100% specific, with all 244 non-Nm isolates testing negative. Of 157 clinical specimens tested, sodC detected 25/157 Nm or 4 additional specimens compared to ctrA and 24 more than culture. Among 582 carriage specimens, sodC detected Nm in 1 more than ctrA and in 4 more than culture. This sodC rt-PCR assay is a highly sensitive and specific method for detection of Nm, especially in carriage studies where many meningococcal isolates lack capsule genes