Environmental Impact of Customs Union Agreement with EU on Turkey’s Trade in Manufacturing Industry

In this study, we analyze Turkey’s manufacturing industry trade by estimating sectoral import and export demand equations for 1980-2000. The study aims to understand whether the trade in the manufacturing industry complies with pollution haven hypothesis, and whether the free trade environment provided by the customs union (CU) agreement altered the trade pattern of the clean and dirty industries. Results of our econometric models have shown that while CU positively affects the import demand, it does not have any significant impact on the export demand of Turkish manufacturing industry. In terms of the environmental impact, distinction between clean and dirty industries turns out to be significant for both import and export demand. In general, our findings suggest that both clean and dirty industries’ import demand increase during the study period. In terms of export demand, clean industries’ export demand declines whereas dirty industries’ export demand increases compared to the total demand.Environmental impact analysis, EU, Turkey, manufacturing industry

CO2 Emissions vs. CO2 Responsibility: An Input-Output Approach for the Turkish Economy

Recently, global warming (greenhouse effect) and its effects have become one of the hottest topics in the world agenda. There have been several international attempts to reduce the negative effects of global warming. Kyoto Protocol can be cited as the most important agreement which tries to limit the countries’ emissions within a time horizon. For this reason it becomes important to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of countries. The aim of this study is to estimate the amount of CO2 -the most important greenhouse gas- emissions, for the Turkish economy. An extended input-output model is estimated by using 1996 data in order to identify the sources of CO2 emissions and to discuss the share of sectors in total emission. Besides ‘CO2 responsibility’, which takes into account the CO2 content of imports, is estimated for the Turkish economy. The sectoral CO2 emissions and CO2 responsibilities are compared and these two notions are linked to foreign trade volume. One of the main conclusions is that the manufacturing industry has the first place in both of the rankings for CO2 emissions and CO2 responsibilities; while agriculture and husbandry has the last place.CO2 responsibility, Turkey, input-output analysis

A new technique in laparoscopic abdominal access (Evsen Method, Modified Veress Technique)

Objectives: The most important step in laparoscopic surgery is to safely establish the pneumoperitoneum, especially since approximately half of the complications occur during the initial entry into the abdomen. There is a distinct need to modify the available methods to reduce therate of adverse events in laparoscopic entry. In this study, a modified Veress technique (MVT) or Evsen method is introduced.The aim of this article was to present a modified Veress technique for establishing the pneumoperitoneum. Material and methods: The study was conducted at the Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, from September 2016 to May 2017. A new laparoscopic entry technique was introduced and compared with the classical Veress technique. A total of 40 cases were included in the study. MVT and the classical Veress method were applied to 26 and 14 patients, respectively. Results: The pneumoperitoneum was established at the first attempt in 23 (88.5%) MVT patients and in 7 (50%) patients from the classical Veress method group. The number of insufflation attempts to establish a successful pneumoperitoneum was lower using MVT and the difference was statistically significant (p: 0.022). As far as time is concerned, a comparison between the groups revealed that the pneumoperitoneum was established in a statistically significantly shorter time using MVT (p < 0.00). Conclusions: The modified Veress technique proved to be superior to the classical Veress method for establishing the pneumoperitoneum. Using the new method, the pneumoperitoneum was established after fewer attempts and in a shorter time

Comparison of IMA, YKL-40, EN-RAGE, and AIM levels in maternal blood and cord blood in patients with preeclampsia

Aim: Preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia are among the most significant causes of maternal mortality. Preeclampsia’s pathogenesis is not fully understood, and it is a disease with early diagnosis and treatment possibilities. In this study, we aimed to investigate the levels of IMA, YKL-40, EN-RAGE, and AIM in maternal and cord blood. The results will ideally shed light on preeclampsia’s pathogenesis and early diagnosis. Methods: The study was conducted with the following three groups: a severe preeclampsia group (group 1), a preeclampsia group (group 2), and a control group (group 3). IMA, YKL-40, EN-RAGE, and AIM levels were measured in all patients across the groups using blood taken from the mothers before delivery and from the cords during delivery. Statistically descriptive analyses were performed. Specifically, a one-way analysis of variance was performed on group variables, and a Tukey test was used to determine the differences between the groups. Results: The mean age was similar across all groups. The gestational week at delivery was low for the severe preeclampsia group (p=0.001). The IMA and YKL-40 levels in the maternal and cord blood were the same between the groups. The EN-RAGE levels in the maternal blood were found to be significantly higher in the control group (p=0.000). While the AIM levels in the maternal blood were high in the control group (p=0.001), they were significantly lower in the cord blood in the control group (p=0.029). Conclusion: EN-RAGE and AIM levels are parameters that can be used in the early diagnosis of preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia

Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in elderly population of Turkey: A subgroup analysis of ELDERTURK study

Background: Secondary prevention plays an important role after acute coronary event due to high risk of adverse events in elderly. In present study we aimed to evaluate the lifestyle, management of risk factors and medical treatment for secondary protection in elderly patients with known coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: ELDERTURK is a non-interventional, multi-centered, observational study, which included total of 5694 elderly patients ( > 65 years) from 50 centers in Turkey. In this study elderly patients from the ELDERTURK population with known CHD were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors, comor- bidities and medication usage. Results: A total of 2976 (52.3% of study) out of 5694 patients included in the ELDERTURK study were evaluated. All had known CHD with a mean age of 73.4 ± 6.2 years and 60.3% were male. 13.0% of patients were smokers, 42.4% were overweight and 21.1% were obese. Only 23.6% of patients reported to do regular exercise, 73.4% had history of hypertension, 47.4% had dyslipidemia and 33.9% had diabetes mellitus. The rate of patients with systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg were 31.1% and only 13.9% of patients had a recommended ≤ 70 mg/dL level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Anti- platelet, statin, beta-blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker usage was limited to 27.3%. Conclusions: The ELDERTURK study shows that many patients with CHD have a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors and unhealthy lifestyle. Apart from this, many patients are not receiving thera- peutic intervention and as a consequence most were not achieving the recommended goals.   

Renal complications of lipodystrophy: A closer look at the natural history of kidney disease

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144612/1/cen13732_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144612/2/cen13732.pd

Evaluation of nutritional status in pediatric intensive care unit patients: the results of a multicenter, prospective study in Turkey

IntroductionMalnutrition is defined as a pathological condition arising from deficient or imbalanced intake of nutritional elements. Factors such as increasing metabolic demands during the disease course in the hospitalized patients and inadequate calorie intake increase the risk of malnutrition. The aim of the present study is to evaluate nutritional status of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in Turkey, examine the effect of nutrition on the treatment process and draw attention to the need for regulating nutritional support of patients while continuing existing therapies.Material and MethodIn this prospective multicenter study, the data was collected over a period of one month from PICUs participating in the PICU Nutrition Study Group in Turkey. Anthropometric data of the patients, calorie intake, 90-day mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and length of stay in intensive care unit were recorded and the relationship between these parameters was examined.ResultsOf the 614 patients included in the study, malnutrition was detected in 45.4% of the patients. Enteral feeding was initiated in 40.6% (n = 249) of the patients at day one upon admission to the intensive care unit. In the first 48 h, 86.82% (n = 533) of the patients achieved the target calorie intake, and 81.65% (n = 307) of the 376 patients remaining in the intensive care unit achieved the target calorie intake at the end of one week. The risk of mortality decreased with increasing upper mid-arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.871/0.894; p = 0.027/0.024). The risk of mortality was 2.723 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h (p = 0.006) and the risk was 3.829 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at the end of one week (p = 0.001). The risk of mortality decreased with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.894; p = 0.024).ConclusionTimely and appropriate nutritional support in critically ill patients favorably affects the clinical course. The results of the present study suggest that mortality rate is higher in patients who fail to achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h and day seven of admission to the intensive care unit. The risk of mortality decreases with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score

Finite element analysis of heat generation from different light-polymerization sources during cementation of all-ceramic crowns

Statement of problem. Exothermic composite resin chemical reactions and visible light generators can produce heat during a restorative polymerization process. These thermal changes In restored teeth may cause pain and Irreversible pulpitis

Dental anxiety among adults in Turkey

Aim: This aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental anxiety and related factors in a Turkish population. Methods and Materials: The Turkish translation of the Dental Fear Scale (DFS) and the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) were administered to 115 dental patients consisting of 21 subjects who had dental phobia and of 94 patients who did not. The scales were also administered to a non-clinical general population (N=183). Results: The Turkish version of the DFS was internally consistent and reproducible. The scale had strong correlations (r=0.80, p<0.001) with the MDAS. Female participants scored higher (45.2±18.1) on the scale than men (38.2±15.7). The DFS had a negative correlation (r=-0.25, p<0.001) with education level. There was a statistically significant difference between dental phobics and the remaining groups on the DFS total score. At a cut-off point 55, the sensitivity of the scale was 0.80, specificity 0.80, positive predictive value 0.48, and negative predictive value 0.95. Thirty-nine subjects (21.3%) in the general population had total scores above this cut-off point. Conclusion: Dental fear is common in clinical and non-clinical settings in Turkey. The good psychometric characteristics of the DFS among Turkish participants supports its cross-cultural validity