Early graft survival after renal transplantation, single center experience

Aim: The best treatment for patient with end stage kidney disease is kidney transplantation which improve their quality of life and survival rate. The aim of our study is to determine the factors that affect the results of early outcomes of graft function. Method: Twenty-eight adult patients who underwent renal transplantation from 2016 to 2017 were included in our university. Results: The median age of the recipients was 38.5 (range: 19-65) and 68% (19 patients) were male. Acute rejection was detected in 8 patients. Patients who developed rejection were found to have higher panel reactive antibody positivity and higher parathyroid hormone levels. Panel reactive antibody positivity was found to be 25% in patients who developed rejection and 0% in patients who did not develop rejection (p = 0.02). The parathyroid hormone level was calculated as 963.2 ± 587 in the rejection group and 378 ± 227 in the rejection group (p = 0.003). It was observed that 37.5% of DM patients had rejection and 10% in non-diabetic patients. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.08). Conclusion: Panel reactive antibody positivity and parathyroid hormone levels increased the likelihood of rejection. The effect of the presence of diabetes mellitus in the patient on the development of rejection was observed to be limited. Our findings were consistent with the literature. Because of the number of patients and the short follow-up period, further studies are needed

Mogu li hemocitometrijski parametri poslužiti kao biološki biljezi u razlikovanju adrenalnih adenoma i karcinoma te u prognozi adrenokortikalnih karcinoma?

Recently, studies have reported that inflammatory response and elevated platelet counts are associated with several cancers. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate hemocytometer parameters in differentiating adrenal adenoma and carcinoma, and the prognostic utility of hemocytometer parameters in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). We included 30 patients with nonfunctional adrenal adenoma and 13 patients with ACC having undergone surgery between 2005 and 2017 and followed up postoperatively at our centre. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit (PCT) were evaluated preoperatively in all patients included in the study. There was a significant difference between the adrenal adenoma and ACC groups in terms of neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, NLR and PLR. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of platelet count and MPV, but PCT levels were significantly lower in ACC group. There was no statistically significant difference between recurrent and/or metastasis positive patients and negative ones according to NLR, PLR, RDW and MPV. There was a statistically significant difference in RDW levels and tumor diameter between the groups. Our study is the first to evaluate hemocytometer parameters in differentiating adrenal adenomas and carcinomas, and also in the prognosis of ACC. The present study suggested that the hemocytometer parameters may be a marker in the differential diagnosis of adrenal adenomas and carcinomas. However, our study also showed that these parameters had no prognostic value in ACC.Nedavna istraživanja pokazuju da su upalni odgovor i povišeni trombociti udruženi s nekim vrstama karcinoma. Cilj našega istraživanja bio je procijeniti hemocitometrijske parametre u razlikovanju adrenalnog adenoma i karcinoma, kao i prognostičku vrijednost hemocitometrijskih parametara u adrenokortikalnom karcinomu (adrenocortical carcinoma, ACC). U istraživanje smo uključili 30 bolesnika s nefunkcionalnim adrenalnim adenomom i 13 bolesnika s ACC operiranih između 2005. i 2017. godine i poslije operacije praćene u našoj ustanovi. Kod svih bolesnika uključenih u studiju prijeoperacijski su izmjereni sljedeći parametri: omjer neutrofila i limfocita (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, NLR), omjer trombocita i limfocita (platelet/lymphocyte ratio, PLR ), širina distribucije eritrocita (red blood cell distribution width, RDW ), srednji volumen trombocita (mean platelet volume, MPV) i pleteletkrit (PCT). Utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika između skupina bolesnika s adrenalnim adenomom i onih s ACC u broju neutrofila i limfocita, NLR i PLR. Nije bilo značajne razlike među skupinama u broju trombocita i MPV, ali su razine PCT bile značajno niže u skupini s ACC. Nije bilo statistički značajne razlike u NLR, PLR, RDW i MPV između bolesnika s opetovanim ACC i/ili metastazama i onih bez tih stanja. Statistički značajna razlika između skupina nađena je za razine RDW i promjer tumora. Naše istraživanje je prvo te vrste u kojem su se procjenjivali hemocitometrijski parametri u razlikovanju adrenalnih adenoma i karcinoma te u prognozi ACC. Rezultati studije ukazuju na to da bi se hemocitometrijski parametri mogli primijeniti kao biljezi u diferencijalnoj dijagnostici adrenalnih adenoma i karcinoma. Međutim, naše je istraživanje pokazalo kako ovi parametri nemaju prognostičku vrijednost kod ACC

Analyses of the mechanical, electrical and electromagnetic shielding properties of thermoplastic composites doped with conductive nanofillers

The purpose of this study is to observe effect of incorporating vapor-grown carbon nanofibers with various amounts in polyvinylidene fluoride matrix in terms of mechanical strength and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. Thermoplastic conductive nanocomposites were prepared by heat-pressed compression molding. Vapor-grown carbon nanofibers were utilized at various weight ratios (1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 8 wt.%) as conductive and reinforcing materials. Polyvinylidene fluoride was used as a thermoplastic polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopic analysis was conducted in order to characterize the morphology and structural properties of the nanocomposites and results revealed well dispersion of carbon nanofibers within the matrix for all concentrations. Mechanical characteristics were investigated according to standards. Findings proved that overall increments of 16%, 37.5%, and 56% were achieved in terms of tensile strength, elasticity modulus, and impact energy, respectively, where a total reduction of 44.8% was observed in terms of elongation for 8 wt.% vapor-grown nanofiber matrix compared to that of 0 wt.%. Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness's of the nanocomposites were determined by standard protocol using coaxial transmission line measurement technique in the frequency range of 15–3000 MHz. It was observed that resistance, sheet resistance, and resistivity of nanocomposites depicted substantial reduction with the increment in nanofiber content. Nevertheless, it was observed that nanofiber content, dispersion, and network formation within the composites were highly influent on the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness performance of the structures

Reproducibility of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosis is good, but influenced by the diagnostic style of pathologists

Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) applies specific diagnostic criteria to designate a monoclonal endometrial preinvasive glandular proliferation known from previous studies to confer a 45-fold increased risk for endometrial cancer. In this international study we estimate accuracy and precision of EIN diagnosis among 20 reviewing pathologists in different practice environments, and with differing levels of experience and training. Sixty-two endometrial biopsies diagnosed as benign, EIN, or adenocarcinoma by consensus of two expert subspecialty pathologists were used as a reference comparison to assess diagnostic accuracy of 20 reviewing pathologists. Interobserver reproducibility among the 20 reviewers provided a measure of diagnostic precision. Before evaluating cases, observers were self-trained by reviewing published textbook and/or online EIN diagnostic guidelines. Demographics of the reviewing pathologists, and their impressions regarding implementation of EIN terminology were recorded. Seventy-nine percent of the 20 reviewing pathologists' diagnoses were exactly concordant with the expert consensus (accuracy). The interobserver weighted kappa values of 3-class EIN scheme (benign, EIN, carcinoma) diagnoses between expert consensus and each of reviewing pathologists averaged 0.72 (reproducibility, or precision). Reviewing pathologists demonstrated one of three diagnostic styles, which varied in the repertoire of diagnoses commonly used, and their nonrandom response to potentially confounding diagnostic features such as endometrial polyp, altered differentiation, background hormonal effects, and technically poor preparations. EIN diagnostic strategies can be learned and implemented from standard teaching materials with a high degree of reproducibility, but is impacted by the personal diagnostic style of each pathologist in responding to potential diagnostic confounders

Struggle for Meaning and Orderin Hamletand Othello

Tragedy is about torn-apart forces that influence human emotions and desires. The tragic heros are in defeat of making sense of their world in Shakespeare’s tragedies Hamlet and Othello. This paper will try to examine the three phases Hamlet and Othello experience--alienation from the world by facing its meaninglessness, struggling for making sense through acting against their natures, and reconciliation (a redemption towards meaning) with their worlds in the end--focusing on the fact that though these men suffer through emotional and moral dissolution that lead them to question their beings, and consequently, carry the imperative to act--to take revenge--as tragic heroes. In the end, they have the power to create something new out of nothing. In other words, they gain awareness of life which has once been insignificant.Hamlet, Othello, tragedy, meaninglessness, alienation.

Coursebook Dependency in Secondary and Tertiary-Level EFL Teachers

Coursebooks are among the most significant components of EFL classes. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of a ‘Coursebook Dependency Questionnaire’ developed in the current study. It further aims to study how dependent English language teachers are on coursebooks and whether there are any relationships between teachers’ coursebook dependency levels and their genders, experiences, and academic backgrounds. Data collected from 324 language teachers working in secondary and tertiary-level EFL programs revealed that the scale is a valid and reliable instrument with five sub-scales to measure the dependency construct; the majority of the participants were medium dependent while high and low dependent teachers comprised less than half of the participants in total

A moderate response to plasmapheresis in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a recently identified idiopathic cutaneous fibrosing disorder that occurs in the setting of renal failure. The disease initially called nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy is closely linked to exposure to gadolinium-based contrast media used during magnetic resonance imaging in patients with renal insufficiency. Although little is known about the pathogenesis of this disease, the increased expression of transforming growth factor-beta has been demonstrated recently. Herein, we present a case of NSF was partially treated due to a moderate and temporary response to plasmapheresis with no recurrence for 6 months, but returned at the end of 6th month

Diagnostic value of histopathologic examination in alopecias

Alopecias are evaluated in two groups, namely noncicatricial type and cicatricial type. Cicatricial alopecias are generally irreversible due to the permenant damage to the hair follicles and as follicular epithelium is replaced by connective tissue in the late stages. In noncicatricial alopecia, the follicular epithelia is intact and hair regrowth is likely. The accurate diagnosis of alopecia subtypes which have different etiologies and occasionally result in permanent hair loss is of paramount importance to initiate the appropriate treatment in the early stages. Most of the subtypes of alopecia can be diagnosed with a detailed history and clinical evaluation. However, most of the disorders leading to alopecia present with nonspecific and overlapping clinical findings which alter over the course of the disease. In those instances, scalp biopsy and histopathologic evaluation is necessary to make or confirm the diagnosis. Transverse and vertical sections used for the interpretation of scalp biopsy specimens offer different advantages. Therefore, idealy, obtaining two 4 mm punch biopsy samples and combining both methods is suggested to enhance the diagnostic yield in patients with alopecia. In this review, the value of scalp biopsy in the diagnosis of subtypes of alopecia, the significance of evaluation of transverse and vertical sections in the histopathologic examination and the major histopathologic findings of the disorders involved in the etiology are described

Direct Cutaneous Metastasis of Lung Carcinoma: Case Report

Cutaneous metastasis from lung carcinoma is a rare condition. While cutaneous metastasis is commonly seen in large cell carcinoma type of lung carcinomas, rarely seen in squamous cell carcinoma type. Usually, cutaneous metastasis occurs as a result of hematogenous spread. In this report, we presented a case of direct cutaneous metastasis in lobectomy incision site, which is rarely seen in squamous cell lung carcinoma. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(3.000): 511-514