Cutting Rate and Surface Characteristic Analysis in CNC Wire Electrical Discharge Machining of Aluminium Bronze

In this study, cutting rate and surface characteristic analysis in wire electrical discharge machining of aluminium bronze were investigated. Cutting rate analyses were performed according to Taguchi L18 (2^1×3^2) orthogonal array. Machining parameters such as wire type, duration between two pulses (BT) and pulse time (AT) were used as control factors. Raw data obtained for cutting rate were converted to S/N ratio values. Optimum levels of the machining parameters for cutting rate were determined using analysis of signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. Significant machining parameters and their percentage contributions on results were obtained using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Regression analysis was performed to model the relationship between cutting rate and machining parameters. Analyses of surfaces machined of workpiece using both two wires for minimum and maximum cutting rate were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and surface roughness device

Serum fetuin-A levels are associated with carotid intima–media thickness in patients with normotensive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: There are contradictory reports about the relationship between fetuin-A and atherosclerotic process. Coronary artery disease is the most important cause of mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to investigate the association of serum fetuin-A level with mean carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) in COPD. Methods: We evaluated the association of serum fetuin-A level, mean cIMT and ABI in normotensive subjects with COPD (n = 65) and with non-COPD (n = 50). Results: Fetuin-A level was significantly lower (63.5 ± 19.8 ng/mL, 72.9 ± 16.2 ng/mL, p = 0.035) and C-reactive protein level higher (4 [1–10] vs. 3 [1–12] mg/dL, p = 0.034) in COPD patients than the control group. Compared to controls, fetuin-A level was significantly lower (63.5 ± 19.8 ng/mL, 72.9 ± 16.2 ng/mL, p = 0.035) and mean cIMT higher (0.69 [0.50–0.98] vs. 0.62 [0.44–0.98] mm, p = 0.034, respectively) in the COPD group. There was a significant negative correlation between mean cIMT and fetuin-A levels (r = –0.320, p = 0.032). Age (b ± SE: 0.002 ± 0.001, p = 0.008) and fetuin-A (b ± SE: –0.002 ± 0.001, p = 0.035) were decisive for the mean cIMT. Conclusions: There are increased cIMT values, decreased fetuin-A levels, but unchanged ABI values in patients with normotensive COPD. Age and fetuin-A were predictors for cIMT, while fetuin-A was negatively correlated with cIMT

Serum fetuin-A levels are associated with carotid intima-media thickness in patients with normotensive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: There are contradictory reports about the relationship between fetuin-A and atherosclerotic process. Coronary artery disease is the most important cause of mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to investigate the association of serum fetuin-A level with mean carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) in COPD. Methods: We evaluated the association of serum fetuin-A level, mean cIMT and ABI in normotensive subjects with COPD (n = 65) and with non-COPD (n = 50). Results: Fetuin-A level was significantly lower (63.5 +/- 19.8 ng/mL, 72.9 +/- 16.2 ng/mL, p = 0.035) and C-reactive protein level higher (4 [1-10] vs. 3 [1-12] mg/dL, p = 0.034) in COPD patients than the control group. Compared to controls, fetuin-A level was significantly lower (63.5 +/- 19.8 ng/mL, 72.9 +/- 16.2 ng/mL, p = 0.035) and mean cIMT higher (0.69 [0.50-0.98] vs. 0.62 [0.44-0.98] mm, p = 0.034, respectively) in the COPD group. There was a significant negative correlation between mean cIMT and fetuin-A levels (r = -0.320, p = 0.032). Age (beta +/- SE: 0.002 +/- 0.001, p = 0.008) and fetuin-A (beta +/- SE: -0.002 +/- 0.001, p = 0.035) were decisive for the mean cIMT. Conclusions: There are increased cIMT values, decreased fetuin-A levels, but unchanged ABI values in patients with normotensive COPD. Age and fetuin-A were predictors for cIMT, while fetuin-A was negatively correlated with cIMT

Comparison of the robust methods in the general linear regression model

We compared the robust methods in the general linear regression (GLR) model through simulations. The results show that the S-type estimators produce the minimum mean squared error (MSE) of the model in all samples and the minimum standard errors of the estimators of the regression coefficients in almost all samples in all situations including the normal distribution despite their modesty in the efficiency. As an addition to the classical efficiency concept, we introduce a new efficiency concept based on the MSE of the model and the standard errors of the estimators of the regression coefficients. The simulations show that the S-type estimators are superior in terms of the efficiencies based on the MSE of the model and the standard errors of the estimators of the regression coefficients in all situations including the normal distribution. At the end of the study we give three examples one of which using a hypothetical data set and the rest being real-life data examples. The S-type estimators produce the minimum MSE value in all examples and the minimum standard error values in most of them. The simulations and examples also reveal some interesting phenomena about the regression analysis and the estimators included in this study

The Expression Frequency of Androgen Receptor, c-erbB2 and CD117 in Acinar Adenocarcinoma of Prostate and Normal Prostate Tissue and It's Clinical Importance

Objective: In the cancer treatment, protein kinase inhibitors targeted at markers such as Her-2/neu (c-erbB2) and c-kit (CD117) are successful approaches. In this study, the expression of c-erbB2 and CD117 in normal prostate tissue as well as with low, moderate and high risk acinar adenocarcinoma of prostate with no androgen-suppression therapy, and, metastatic adenocarcinoma of prostate was investigated and the expression of androgen receptor (AR) was compared with c-erbB2 and CD117

The role of debridement and reconstruction of sagittal balance in tuberculous spondylitis

Background: An accepted comprehensive clinical approach to the deformed spine with tuberculous infection is still lacking. We aimed to determine the usage of a staged algorithm in the treatment of kyphotic spine with tuberculous infection and to present the clinical results of the patients treated with the help of this protocol. Materials and Methods: 54 patients (28 females, 26 males) with a mean age of 39.2 (22-76) years. Preoperative, early postoperative, and followup clinical and radiologic results were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were classified into Kaplan A (kyphotic deformity <30°), Kaplan B (kyphotic deformity 30°-60°) and Kaplan C (kyphotic deformity >60°). They were operated by posterior instrument with anterior debridment (Kaplan A), debridment with anterior bone grafting (Kaplan B) and anterior column resection and bone grafting in Kaplan C. Results: Tuberculous involvement were seen at more than one level in 40 patients and paraspinal abscess were detected in 31. Preoperative focal kyphotic deformity was reconstructed with an average of 19 (9-38) degrees. Twenty-six patients had neurologic compromise with different severities and 12 of them improved after the surgical intervention. Improvement in work ability and pain status was detected in 52% and 61% of the patients, respectively. Wound complications responding to medical care were detected in nine patients. Initial kyphotic deformity was found as an important parameter in selecting the surgical procedure. Conclusion: Regarding resected amount of infected osseous material, as planned preoperatively, have resulted with better concordance between anterior and posterior column heights and better sagittal alignment. We could correct kyphosis and improve sagittal balance with staged algorithm as used by us

Factors affecting surgical margin positivity in robotic assisted radical prostatectomy

Objectives: After radical prostatectomy, surgical margin positivity is an important indicator of biochemical recurrence and progression. In our study we want to compare the surgical margin positivity rates for retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP) and investigate the factors affecting surgical margin positivity in RALP. Materials and methods: Data from 78 RRP and 62 RALP patients operated from 2011 May to 2016 March were retrospectively screened. Patients in both groups were compared in terms of age, postop hematocrit reduction, hospital stay, duration of follow-up, surgical margin positivity, biochemical recurrence and oncologic parameters. In RALP group it was searched the relationship between the surgical margin positivity and prostate specific antigen (PSA), positive biopsy core, biopsy Gleason scoring, pathologic stage and Gleason scoring, lymph node positivity, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, prostate weight. Results: Patients in the RALP group had lower postop hematocrit reduction and shorter hospital stay (p &lt; 0.001). There was no difference in surgical margin positivity between RALP and RRP groups (37.1% vs. 29.5%, p = 0.341). In RALP group there was a correlation between surgical margin positivity and positive biopsy core number (p = 0.011), pathologic stage (p &lt; 0.001) and Gleason score (p &lt; 0.001), EAU risk classification (p = 0.001), seminal vesicle invasion (p = 0.045), extraprostatic extension (p &lt; 0.001). There was no correlation between prostate weight (p = 0.896), PSA (p = 0.220), biopsy Gleason score (p = 0.266), lymph node positivity (p = 0.140), perineural (p = 0.103) and lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.92) with surgical margin positivity. Conclusions: Positive biopsy core number, pathological stage and Gleason score, EAU risk classification, seminal vesicle invasion and extraprostatic extension are correlated with surgical margin positivity in RALP

Childhood asthma and vitamin D deficiency in Turkey: is there cause and effect relationship between them?

Background: Epidemiological studies show that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common worldwide and associated with many diseases including asthma. Our aim was to evaluate vitamin D insufficiency and its clinical consequences