Fabrication of 1D ZnO nanostructures on MEMS cantilever for VOC sensor application

WOS: 000339994900047This study reports the fabrication method and sensing performance for novel 1D zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods and nanotubes grown on nickel MEMS cantilevers. The fabrication of the nanostructures and the cantilevers are simple and low-cost using standard lithography, electrodeposition, and hydrothermal etching processes. 1D ZnO nanostructures increase the total sensitive area for biological and chemical sensor applications. We performed experiments with various VOCs with a real-time sensor system developed in our laboratory. While Ni microcantilevers produced no signal, ZnO nanostructure coated microcantilevers showed good sensitivity and repeatable changes. Furthermore, the nanotube coated microcantilevers showed more than 10 fold increase in sensitivity compared to the nanorod coated microcantilevers which can be explained to the fact that ZnO nanotubes have higher surface area and subsurface oxygen vacancies and these provide a larger effective surface area with higher surface-to-volume ratio as compared to ZnO nanorods. The tests are performed using dynamic mode of operation near resonant frequency using magnetic actuation and optical sensing. The phase stability and the limit of detection of ZnO nanotube coated microcantilevers exposed to diethylamine (DEA) were 0.02 degrees and lower than 10 ppm, respectively. ZnO nanostructure coated microcantilevers have good potential for VOC sensor applications especially for amine groups. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.TUBITAK-BIDEB National Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program; TUBITAK [111E184, 113F403]Necmettin Kilinc was supported by TUBITAK-BIDEB National Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program. The authors thank KUY-TAM and Dr. Bans Yagci for SEM measurements. This research is supported by TUBITAK Grant no.: 111E184 and 113F403

Is there a relationship between penile vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, platelet functions and eosinophil count?

WOS: 000402446000005Purpose: Blood count parameters of patients referring with penile vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) were examined in this study. It was investigated whether eosinophil count (EC), platelet count (PC) and mean platelet volume (MPV), values among the suspected predictive parameters which may affect vascular functions, have a contribution on ED pathology or not. Materials and methods: Patients referring erectile dysfunction complaint were evaluated. Depending on the medical story, ED degree was determined by measuring International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Values such as hormones, complete blood count and other laboratory markers were examined. Penile doppler ultrasonography (PDU) was performed in patients suspected to have vasculogenic ED. According to PDU result, patients with vascular deficiency were included in the penile vasculogenic ED group and patients with normal results were included in the control group. 49 patients participated in the study from the penile vasculogenic ED group and 30 patients from the control group. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-square (chi(2)) test was used to assess the relationship between categorical variables within the patient groups. Results: Low IIEF score in vasculogenic ED group compared to the control group and high EC, MPV and PC values were detected to be statistically significant (p < 0.001, p = 0.026, p = 0.009, p = 0.029, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed among the two groups when age, white blood cells, red blood cells or hemoglobin values are considered (p = 0.332, p = 0.235, p = 0.127, p = 0.696, respectively). Conclusion: High MPV value and platelet count showing the platelet functions and high eosinophil count are important factors which may play a role in penile vasculogenic ED etiopathogenesis. (C) 2016 Asociacion Espanola de Andrologia, Medicina Sexual y Reproductiva. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved

Demographic and clinical features of gout patients in Turkey: a multicenter study

Gout results from multifactor interactions between gender, age, genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors underlying gout and precipitating factors triggering acute attacks might vary in different populations with different lifestyles. In this study, we aimed to collect data regarding the demographic and clinical features, comorbid factors, and precipitating factors associated with the initiation of acute attacks in gout patients in Turkey. A total of 312 patients were included in this study (mean age, 58.8 +/- A 13.8 years; female/male ratio, 55/257). The demographic features, alcohol intake, clinical and laboratory features, and comorbid conditions including obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease were noted in a standard questionnaire. Precipitating factors initiating acute attacks (if any) were also noted. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the region of location as central Anatolian region, southeast Anatolian region, Aegean region, and Trakya region. Our results were compared according to the gender and the location of the patients. The mean age at the start of the symptoms was 10 years higher in women (60.4 +/- A 14.8 and 50.6 +/- A 13.5 years in women and men, respectively, p Gout results from multifactor interactions between gender, age, genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors underlying gout and precipitating factors triggering acute attacks might vary in different populations with different lifestyles. In this study, we aimed to collect data regarding the demographic and clinical features, comorbid factors, and precipitating factors associated with the initiation of acute attacks in gout patients in Turkey. A total of 312 patients were included in this study (mean age, 58.8 &plusmn; 13.8 years; female/male ratio, 55/257). The demographic features, alcohol intake, clinical and laboratory features, and comorbid conditions including obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease were noted in a standard questionnaire. Precipitating factors initiating acute attacks (if any) were also noted. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the region of location as central Anatolian region, southeast Anatolian region, Aegean region, and Trakya region. Our results were compared according to the gender and the location of the patients. The mean age at the start of the symptoms was 10 years higher in women (60.4 &plusmn; 14.8 and 50.6 &plusmn; 13.5 years in women and men, respectively, p &lt; 0.001).Obesity was present in 40.1 %, diabetes mellitus in 17.9 %, hyperlipidemia in 30.1 %, hypertension in 53.5 %, coronary artery disease in 17 %, and nephrolithiasis in 21.8 % of patients. Precipitating factors triggering gout flares were as follows: diet (high consumption of meat or fish) in 46.5 %, alcohol consumption in 15.7 %, diuretics in 8.3 %, diet or diuretics in 5.1 %, diet or alcohol in 4.5 %, diet or alcohol or diuretics in 1.6 %, others in 4.2 %, and none in 14.1 %. The presence of diabetes and diuretic use was more common among women. Use of diuretics is a more common trigger for gout flares among women. On the other hand, various comorbid conditions, such as obesity and hypertension, and triggers for gout flares may differ between patients living in different geographic regions. In summary, we reported the first data regarding clinical and demographic characteristics of gout in Turkey. The majority of our patients could describe at least one &quot;trigger&quot; that initiated gout flare. Both comorbid conditions and triggers of attack might differ between men and women, and in different geographic areas. Better knowledge of the modifiable risk factors can be useful for the management strategy to optimize long-term patient outcomes in local clinics.</p

Best Practice Recommendations for Geriatric Dysphagia Management with 5 Ws and 1H

Background: Dysphagia is a geriatric syndrome. Changes in the whole body that occur with aging also affect swallowing functions and cause presbyphagia. This condition may progress to oropharyngeal and/or esophageal dysphagia in the presence of secondary causes that increase in incidence with aging. However, no study has been published that provides recommendations for use in clinical practice that addresses in detail all aspects of the management of dysphagia in geriatric individuals. This study aimed to answer almost all potential questions and problems in the management of geriatric dysphagia in clinical practice. Methods: A multidisciplinary team created this recommendation guide using the seven-step and three-round modified Delphi method via e-mail. The study included 39 experts from 29 centers in 14 cities. Results: Based on the 5W and 1H method, we developed 216 detailed recommendations for older adults from the perspective of different disciplines dealing with older people. Conclusion: This consensus-based recommendation is a useful guide to address practical clinical questions in the diagnosis, rehabilitation, and follow-up for the management of geriatric dysphagia and also contains detailed commentary on these issues