Arbitration in International Commercial Agreements: The Noose Draws Tighter

WOS: 000298822100014PubMed ID: 22166511This study aimed to examine fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF-19) in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to evaluate the relationship between FGF-19 and other cardiovascular risk factors, such as atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and hsCRP. 26 T2DM patients with MetS and 12 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum FGF-19 levels were measured by sandwich ELISA, and compared with other cardiovascular risk factors; lipid profile, AIP, glucose, HbA1c, and hsCRP. AIP was calculated as log (TG/HDL-c). The median (1-3.quartile) FGF-19 levels in T2DM patients with MetS and healthy controls were 122.90 (108.63-237.60) pg/ml and 293.45 (153.64-370.31) pg/ml, respectively (P=0.003). Patients were also grouped by body mass index (BMI) = 30 kg/m(2) (n=13) with median (1-3.quartile) FGF-19 values 168.70 (113.54-275.77) pg/mL and 115.89 (97.94-200.40) pg/mL, respectively (P=0.007). Significant negative correlations were found between FGF-19 and BMI, triglyceride, log (TG/HDL-c), hsCRP, and HbA1c (r=-0.526, P=0.001; r=-0.327, P=0.05; r=-0.312, P=0.05; r=-0.435, P=0.006; r=-0.357, P=0.028, respectively). We showed that FGF-19 levels are low in T2DM patients with MerS. The negative relationship between FGF-19 and several known cardiovascular risk factors such as TG, log (TG/HDL-c), hsCRP and HbA1c in diabetic patients with MetS suggests that FGF-19 can be used as a contributing marker

Increased P-wave dispersion in patients with newly diagnosed lichen planus

OBJECTIVE: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune mucocutaneous disease. Recent research has emphasized the strong association between inflammation and both P-wave dispersion and dyslipidemia. The difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave durations on an electrocardiogram is defined as P-wave dispersion. The prolongation of P-wave dispersion has been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for developing atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to investigate P-wave dispersion in patients with lichen planus. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with lichen planus and 37 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. We obtained electrocardiographic recordings from all participants and used them to calculate the P-wave variables. We also assessed the levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which is an inflammatory marker, and the lipid levels for each group. The results were reported as the means ± standard deviations and percentages. RESULTS: The P-wave dispersion was significantly higher in lichen planus patients than in the control group. Additionally, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in lichen planus patients compared to the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein and P-wave dispersion (r = 0.549,

Hif-1α regulates differentiation of limb bud mesenchyme and joint development

Recent evidence suggests that low oxygen tension (hypoxia) may control fetal development and differentiation. A crucial mediator of the adaptive response of cells to hypoxia is the transcription factor Hif-1α. In this study, we provide evidence that mesenchymal condensations that give origin to endochondral bones are hypoxic during fetal development, and we demonstrate that Hif-1α is expressed and transcriptionally active in limb bud mesenchyme and in mesenchymal condensations. To investigate the role of Hif-1α in mesenchymal condensations and in early chondrogenesis, we conditionally inactivated Hif-1α in limb bud mesenchyme using a Prx1 promoter-driven Cre transgenic mouse. Conditional knockout of Hif-1α in limb bud mesenchyme does not impair mesenchyme condensation, but alters the formation of the cartilaginous primordia. Late hypertrophic differentiation is also affected as a result of the delay in early chondrogenesis. In addition, mutant mice show a striking impairment of joint development. Our study demonstrates a crucial, and previously unrecognized, role of Hif-1α in early chondrogenesis and joint formation

The epidemiology and factors associated with nocturnal enuresis among boarding and daytime school children in southeast of Turkey: a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nocturnal enuresis is an important problem among young children living in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to determine the possible differences in the prevalence of enuresis between children in boarding school and daytime school and the association of enuresis with sociodemographic factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a cross-sectional survey. A total of 562 self-administered questionnaires were distrubuted to parents from two different types of schools. One of them was a day-time school and the other was a boarding school. To describe enuresis the ICD-10 definition of at least one wet night per month for three consecutive months was used. Chi-square test and a logistic regression model was used to identify significant predictive factors for enuresis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall prevalence of nocturnal enuresis was 14.9%. The prevalence of nocturnal enuresis declined with age. Of the 6 year old children 33.3% still wetted their beds, while the ratio was 2.6% for 15 years-olds. There was no significant difference in prevalence of nocturnal enuresis between boys and girls (14.3% versus 16. 8%). Enuresis was reported as 18.5% among children attending day time school and among those 11.5% attending boarding school (p < 0.05). Prevalence of enuresis was increased in children living in villages, with low income and with positive family history (p < 0.05). After multivariate analysis, history of urinary tract infection (OR = 2.02), age (OR = 1.28), low monthly income (OR = 2.86) and family history of enuresis (OR = 3.64) were factors associated with enuresis. 46.4% of parents and 57.1% of enuretic children were significantly concerned about the impact of enuresis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Enuresis was more frequent among children attending daytime school when compared to boarding school. Our findings suggest that nocturnal enuresis is a common problem among school children, especially with low income, smaller age, family history of enuresis and history of urinary tract infection. Enuresis is a pediatric public health problem and efforts at all levels should be made such as preventive, etiological and curative.</p

New Inhalation Agents and Hepatotoxicity

Hepatotoxicity with halothane inhalation has been studied extensively. Risk factors include obesity, female sex, a history of drug allergies, and multiple exposures to anesthetic agents. Anesthetic agents including halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane can produce metabolic hepatocellular injury in humans to a variable extent. Sevoflurane is expected to be less hepatotoxic than halothane because it is metabolized less, and the main metabolite is different and rapidly glucuronated. Cross-sensitization between halothane and other volatile agents has been previously reported with isoflurane, enflurane, and desflurane. In this article, the topic of postoperative hepatic dysfunction associated with new inhalation agents is revisited. [Archives Medical Review Journal 2011; 20(4.000): 270-277

Anesthetic Management of Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery and Methods of Reducing Blood Loss

One of the most common craniofacial congenital abnormalities requiring surgery is craniosynostosis where there is premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. A thorough assessment of the airway is necessary to enable careful planning of the anesthetic technique for craniofacial surgery. Pediatric craniofacial reconstruction procedures, has been associated with significant morbidity including cardiac arrest, massive transfusion, coagulopathy, severe hypotension, air embolism, largely related to blood loss. Transfusion of homologous blood is associated with significant and well-known risks. Reported transfusion rates for pediatric patients undergoing surgical correction of synostotic calvarial sutures vary between 20 and 500% of estimated blood volume. Attempts at reducing exposure to allogeneic transfusions, using blood conservation techniques such as controlled hypotension and normovolemic hemodilution, have met with mixed results and are not always practical in small infants. In children undergoing surgical correction of craniosynostosis, pre-treated with erythropoietin, intraoperative tranexamic acid reduces transfusion requirement

Relations between operational chemistry and physics problems solving skills and mathematics literacy self-efficacy of engineering faculty students

The aim of this research is to study the connections between operational chemistry and physics problems solving skills and Mathematics Literacy Self-Efficacy of Engineering Faculty students. This research is designed as relational scanning model. The sample of this study, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering senior students taking "General Chemistry" and "General Physics" course has formed. In the study; "Mathematics usage scale in Operational Chemistry and Physics Problems" (MUSOPCP) with two factors which is developed by Ozsoy-Gunes, Derelioglu&Kirbaslar (2011) and Mathematical Literacy Self efficacy Scale (MLSS) which is developed by Ozgen&Bindak (2008) are used as tool of data collection. As a result, between MLSS scale with "mathematics anxiety in chemistry and physics problems" factor of MUSOPCP has a negative relation and with "mathematics knowledge" factor of MUSOPCP has a positive relation. The significant differences were found between the department with "mathematics anxiety" factor score of MUSOPCP and between the gender with "mathematics knowledge" factor score of MUSOPCP. The significant differences weren't found between the gender, department and graduated secondary school with MLSS scales. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

The reflection of critical thinking dispositions on operational chemistry and physics problems solving of engineering faculty students

The aim of this research is to investigate the reflections on operational chemistry and physics problems solving critical thinking dispositions of engineering faculty students. This research is designed as relational scanning model. The sample of this study, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering last year students taking "General Chemistry" and "General Physics" course has formed. In the study; The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI-R), which is improved by Facione, Facione and Giancarlo (1998) and adapted to Turkish by Kokdemir (2003). and "Mathematics usage scale in Operational Chemistry and Physics Problems" (MUSOPCP) with two factors which is developed by Ozsoy-Gunes, Derelioglu, Kirbaslar (2011) are used as tool of data collection. In order to analyze the data, SPSS 16.00, ANOVA, independent T-Test, Pearson correlation coefficient techniques are used. As a result, between CCTDI-R scale with mathematics anxiety in chemistry and physics problems factor of MUSOPCP has a negative relation and with mathematics knowledge factor of MUSOPCP has a positive relation. The significant differences were found between the departments with mathematics anxiety factor score of MUSOPCP and between the gender with mathematics knowledge factor score of MUSOPCP. The significant differences weren't found between gender and department with CCTDI-R scale; but according to graduated secondary school, significant differences were found between with CCTDI-R scale. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Attitudes of elementary school students towards solving mathematics problems

There are many factors that have an effect on learning. As known, learning takes place in cognitive, affective and psychomotor areas. Currently, affective area has been recognized both as a part of education and the focus point of studies. Affective characteristics often play role in learning that takes place in schools. One of these affective characteristics is student attitude towards the course. Unfortunately it is acknowledged that students have been developing negative attitude towards mathematics since the early years of their lives. In this sense, purpose of this study is to analyze the attitudes of elementary school students towards problem solving. Working group of the study covers elementary school students. "Attitude Scale for Mathematics Problem Solving" developed by Canakci and Ozdemir (2011) was employed as data collection tool to measure the attitudes of students towards problem solving. The scale has two dimensions called "enjoyment" and "teaching". At the end of the study, it was seen that there was a decrease in the level of "enjoyment" dimension as the grade level increased. This decrease became a significant difference for eighth grades. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd