ENFLASYON HEDEFLEMESİ REJİMİ VE TÜRKİYE'DE UYGULANABİLİRLİĞİ

1990'lı yıllarda Yeni Zelenda, Kanada, İngiltere gibi göreli yüksek enflasyon oranına sahip ülkelerde uygulanmaya başlayan enflasyon hedeflemesi rejiminin son yıllarda birçok merkez bankası tarafından benimsenmesi, enflasyon hedeflemesi stratejisine duyulan güveni artırmıştır. Bu güven neticesinde de, TCMB 2002 yılından itibaren örtük enflasyon hedeflemesi rejimine, 2006 yılı itibariyle de açık enflasyon hedeflemesi rejimine geçtiğini ve enflasyon hedefinin yüzde 5 olduğunu kamuoyuna duyurmuştur. TCMB'nin açık enflasyon hedeflemesi rejimine geçtiği 2006 yılı sonunda ise, gerçekleşen enflasyon oranın ±2 belirsizlik aralığını aşması, söz konusu rejimin Türkiye'de uygulanabilirliğini tartışılır hale getirmiştir. Bu amaçla hazırlanan çalışmada, Türkiye'de enflasyon hedeflemesi rejiminin ön koşullarının sağlandığını fakat rejimin Türkiye'deki uygulamasının büyüme, istihdam ve cari açık üzerindeki etkilerine karşı hükümetlerin özellikle büyüme ve istihdam konusunda yapısal sorunları çözecek güçte farklı politikalar oluşturması gerektiği gibi sonuçlara ulaşılmıştır

Influence of number of pregnancies on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women of different age groups

Gur, Ali/0000-0001-9680-6268; NAS, Kemal/0000-0002-5845-0851WOS: 000183875500008PubMed: 12811629As data on the relationship between parity and bone mineral density often seem to be controversial, ultimately, a comprehensive research study was thought to be necessary. This study focused on examining the influence of the number of pregnancies on bone mineral density and investigating the relationship between pregnancy and bone mineral density at four sites in postmenopausal women of different age groups. A total of 509 postmenopausal women, varying from 45 to 86 years of age (mean age of 60.85+/-7.53 years) were considered for the study. A standardized interview was employed to obtain information on demographics, lifestyle, and, reproductive and menstrual histories. Patients were separated into four groups according to the number of pregnancies, i.e., nulliparae (52 patients), one to two parity (66 patients), three to five parity (178 patients), and more than five parity (213 patients). The patients were further classified into two age groups, 40-59 years (233 patients) and 60-80 years (276 patients), respectively. The number of pregnancies was found to range from 0 to 17 (with an overall mean of 5.42+/-3.68), with 4.29+/-2.74 (range, 0-16) accounting for live births, while 1.02+/-1.53 (range, 0-14) were abortions. There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to parameters such as, age, body mass index (BMI), age at menarche, age at menopause, and years since menopause (P>0.05) in all of the 509 women and in the 40- to 59- and 60- to 80-year groups. When all the patients were considered, the bone mineral density (BMD) values of the spine and the trochanter for the more-than-five-parity group, were found to be significantly lower than those of the other groups (P0.05) values. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the number of pregnancies has an effect on the BMD values and that this situation shows a variation in different age groups. In addition, our study indicates that there is a significant correlation between the number of pregnancies and the spine, trochanter, and Ward's triangle BMD, but there is no correlation for the femur neck BMD

Thymbra Spicata Var. Intricata Induces Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation

A natural agent that maintains mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) viability, promotes osteogenic differentiation while modulating the immunological response could achieve success in regeneration during healing and may also prevent bone resorption and improve regeneration. We aimed to demonstrate that a Thymbra spicata var. intricata extract could induce proliferation, differentiation, and modulate the immune responses of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Using xCELLigence, a real-time monitoring system, we obtained a growth curve of MSCs. A dose of 10 mu g/mL was the most efficient concentration for vitality. Osteogenic differentiation and antiinflammatory activities were determined by using an ELISA Kit to detect early and late markers of differentiation. The Osteonectin (ON, early osteogenic marker) level decreased while the Osteocalcin (OCN, late osteogenic marker) level increased in the T. spicata var. intricata treated group, suggesting that T. spicata var. intricata may accelerate osteogenic differentiation. Reduced level of the IL-6 cytokine in repsonse to TNF-alpha was evident. T. spicata var. intricata could be a promising osteogenic inducer in dentistry and could be used safely in biocomposites or scaffold fabrications.WoSScopu

Out-of-Reference Range Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels in Levothyroxine-Treated Primary Hypothyroid Patients: A Multicenter Observational Study

Objective: Although levothyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy for hypothyroidism has been established as safe, inexpensive and effective, many studies from different countries reported out-of-reference range thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values for the hypothyroid patients under LT4 treatment. The aim of this study was to determine TSH levels of primary hypothyroid patients under LT4 treatment and to assess self-reported compliance with daily LT4 intake in tertiary care centers in Turkey. Design: In this cross-sectional, observational study, adult patients with primary hypothyroidism, receiving LT4 treatment for at least 6 months, were included. The patients were from 12 tertiary care centers in 9 cities of Turkey. TSH and free T4 levels were recorded from patient files and self-reported compliance with daily LT4 intake was assessed by interviewing the subjects at the last visit. Results: A total of 1,755 subjects (46 +/- 13 years; F/M: 89.9/10.1%) with primary hypothyroidism were enrolled. Of the hypothyroid subjects, 44.8% had out-of-reference range serum TSH levels. TSH values were over the reference range (TSH > 4 mIU/L) in 26.2% and were under the reference range (TSH < 0.5 mIU/L) in 18.6% of the patients. Total duration of LT4 treatment was 5.9 +/- 4.7 years and mean dose was 1.2 +/- 0.6 mu g/kg/day. Non-compliant patients (31.1%) had higher TSH levels (6.9 +/- 16 vs 3.8 +/- 0.9 mIU/L, P = 0.01) compared to compliant patients. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that nearly half of the hypothyroid patients had out-of-reference range serum TSH values, despite under LT4 treatment. Compliance with LT4 treatment seems to be one of the major determinants to reach the target TSH levels in hypothyroid patients