Prenatal diagnosis of Caudal Regression Syndrome : a case report

BACKGROUND: Caudal regression is a rare syndrome which has a spectrum of congenital malformations ranging from simple anal atresia to absence of sacral, lumbar and possibly lower thoracic vertebrae, to the most severe form which is known as sirenomelia. Maternal diabetes, genetic predisposition and vascular hypoperfusion have been suggested as possible causative factors. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of caudal regression syndrome diagnosed in utero at 22 weeks' of gestation. Prenatal ultrasound examination revealed a sudden interruption of the spine and "frog-like" position of lower limbs. Termination of pregnancy and autopsy findings confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of caudal regression syndrome is possible at 22 weeks' of gestation by ultrasound examination

Prenatal diagnosis of Neu-Laxova syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND: Neu-Laxova syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality involving multiple systems. We report a case of Neu-Laxova syndrome (NLS) diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound examination. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old gravida 3, para 2 woman was first seen in our antenatal clinic at 38 weeks' pregnancy. Except for the consanguinity and two previous abnormal stillborn babies her medical history was unremarkable. On ultrasound examination microcephaly, flat forehead, micrognathia, intrauterine growth restriction, generalized edema of the skin, hypoplastic chest, excessive soft tissue deposition of hands and feet, joint contractures and a penis without scrotal sacs were detected. She delivered a 2000 g male fetus. He died five minutes after delivery. Postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of Neu-Laxova syndrome. CONCLUSION: Because of the autosomal recessive inheritance of Neu-Laxova syndrome genetic counseling and early-serial ultrasound examination should be performed at risk families. Early diagnosis of the disease may offer termination of the pregnancy as an option

Effect of Au nano-particles on TiO2 nanorod electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells

Au nano particles (NPs) were deposited on vertically grown TiO2 nanorod arrays on FTO substrate by hydrothermal process. Metal nanoparticles were loaded onto the surface of TiO2 nanorods via photochemical reduction process under ultraviolet irradiation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis were used to characterize the as-prepared Au/TiO2 nanorod composites. Current density-voltage (I-V) measurements were obtained from a two-electrode sandwich type cell. The presence of Au nanoparticles can help the electron-hole separation by attracting photoelectrons. Addition of Au nanoparticles to the TiO2 nanorod significantly increased the fill factor and J(SC) (short circuit current density). The application of Au NPs TiO2 nanorods in improving the performance of DSSCs is promising

Enhanced Performance of Nanowire-Based All-TiO2 Solar Cells using Subnanometer-Thick Atomic Layer Deposited ZnO Embedded Layer

In this paper, the effect of angstrom-thick atomic layer deposited (ALD) ZnO embedded layer on photovoltaic (PV) performance of Nanowire-Based All-TiO2 solar cells has been systematically investigated. Our results indicate that by varying the thickness of ZnO layer the efficiency of the solar cell can be significantly changed. It is shown that the efficiency has its maximum for optimal thickness of 1 ALD cycle in which this ultrathin ZnO layer improves device performance through passivation of surface traps without hampering injection efficiency of photogenerated electrons. The mechanisms contributing to this unprecedented change in PV performance of the cell have been scrutinized and discussed

The Role Of Surface Ecg And Transthoracic Echocardiography For Predicting Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Objective:To evaluate the roles of surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (ECHO) for prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: This study was conducted from 2002-2004 at the Cardiovascular Department of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. Seventy consecutive patients were enrolled in this study that underwent elective CABG. A 12-lead ECG was recorded one day before cardiac surgery and was repeated during the 5 days after CABG. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was defined as the difference between maximum and minimum P-wave duration. Differences in P-wave duration were compared between the pre- and postoperative 12-lead ECG measurements. Results: Postoperative AF developed in 17 (24%) cases of 70 patients. The PWD was found to be significantly higher in patients with AF preoperatively (60+/-19 versus 47+/-13, p=0.003), postoperative first day (56+/-12 versus 44+/-11, p<0.002) and fifth day (51+/-29 versus 41+/-11, p<0.001). Patients with AF were significantly older, the mean age of the AF group was (68+/-7 years) and of the sinus rhythm (SR) group was (59+/-10 years) (p<0.001). The AF group had left ventricular systolic dysfunction (56+/-13% versus 56+/-8%, p=0.042, preoperatively; 49+/-8% versus 60+/-10%, p=0.001, postoperatively) and a larger left atrium (46+/-5 versus 39+/-5 mm, P<0.001, preoperatively and 44+/-7 versus 39+/-5 mm, p=0.046, postoperatively) than the SR group. Conclusion: This prospective study demonstrated that PWD on surface ECG and additional echocardiographic parameters are simple and reliable indexes to predict the development of AF after CABG.Wo

In vitro cytotoxic potential of newly synthesized furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one derivatives in cultured human lymphocytes

The in vitro cytotoxic potentials of Furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one derivatives in human lymphocytes were investigated. Blood samples were obtained from six healthy donors, non-smoking volunteers, which were incubated and exposed to increasing concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/mL) of Furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one derivatives which are methyl 2-methoxy-7-(4-methylbenzoyl)-6-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-furo[3,2-c]pyran-3-carboxylate (1a) and methyl 2-methoxy-7-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-furo[3,2-c]pyran-3-carboxylate (1b). Compounds 1a and 1b induced micronucleus, mitotic and replication indexes in human lymphocytes (1 and 2 mg/mL). The increases of micronucleus, mitotic and replication indexes show that compounds at high concentrations may become cytotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic

Sarcopenia assessment project in the nursing homes in Turkey

WOS: 000336884600008PubMed ID: 24569540BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) are geriatric syndromes leading to physical disability, poor quality of life and death. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and SO in nursing homes in Turkey and to define local disparities for diagnosing sarcopenia and SO. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional multicenter study was performed in 711 patients in 14 nursing homes. Comprehensive geriatric assessment tests, handgrip strength and calf circumference (CC) measurements were carried out. Sarcopenia was both defined by handgrip strength and CC criteria. RESULTS: According to handgrip strength measurement, 483 (68%) of patients were sarcopenic (male: 72%, female: 63.8%), 228 were non-sarcopenic. The prevalence of SO was 22% (13.7% in men, 30.2% in women). Patients (82.5%) who were diagnosed as sarcopenic by the handgrip strength test were not sarcopenic according to CC sarcopenia criteria. Therefore, we tried to determine the optimal CC value fOr diagnosing sarcopenia in our population. CONCLUSIONS: Both sarcopenia and SO were prevalent among Turkish nursing home elderly residents. Most of the patients with sarcopenia were obese or overweight. We showed that di'agnosing sarcopenia with CC measurement underestimated the sarcopenia prevalence assessed by handgrip strength. So we concluded that, although different assessment methods are recommended for the diagnosis of sarcopenia local disparities should be considered

Internalized stigma in psoriasis: A multicenter study

Internalized stigma is the adoption of negative attitudes and stereotypes of the society regarding a person's illness. It causes decreased self-esteem and life-satisfaction, increased depression and suicidality, and difficulty in coping with the illness. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the internalized stigma state of psoriatic patients and to identify the factors influencing internalized stigma. The secondary aim was to identify the correlation of internalized stigma with quality of life and perceived health status. This multicentre, cross-sectional study comprised 1485 patients. There was a significant positive correlation between mean values of Psoriasis Internalized Stigma Scale (PISS) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, Body Surface Area, Dermatological Life Quality Index and General Health Questionnaire-12 (P < 0.001 in all). Lower percieved health score (P = 0.001), early onset psoriasis (P = 0.016), family history of psoriasis (P = 0.0034), being illiterate (P < 0.001) and lower income level (P < 0.001) were determinants of high PISS scores. Mean PISS values were higher in erythrodermic and generalized pustular psoriasis. Involvement of scalp, face, hand, genitalia and finger nails as well as arthropathic and inverse psoriasis were also related to significantly higher PISS scores (P = 0.001). Our findings imply that psoriatic patients experience high levels of internalized stigma which are associated with psoriasis severity, involvement of visible body parts, genital area, folds or joints, poorer quality of life, negative perceptions of general health and psychological illnesses. Therefore, internalized stigma may be one of the major factors responsible from psychosocial burden of the disease. © 2017 Japanese Dermatological Associatio