Serum progranulin levels are elevated in infertile women with obesity

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in serum progranulin and sex hormone levels in infertile women with obesity. Material and methods: A total of 171 infertile women who had fertility desire were included in this cross-sectional study. The initial assessment included measurements of weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference to calculate body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio. All participants were categorised into two groups in accordance with BMI as a control group ( < 30 kg/m2, n = 135) and a study group (≥ 30 kg/m2, n = 36). After anthropometric measurements, venous blood samples were taken for analyses of oestradiol and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone, total testosterone (TT), 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, anti-Müllerian hormone, and progranulin. Results: The present study demonstrated that the overweight women had higher FSH levels (p < 0.01). Elevated TT levels were detected in obese women (p < 0.05). Progranulin concentrations were higher in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Regression analysis demonstrated that there was a relationship between the serum progranulin concentrations and BMI (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings support that the elevated progranulin levels are associated with obesity in infertile women. Therefore, infertile and obese patients may benefit if their serum progranulin levels decrease. Further studies are needed to elucidate this issue

Salivary biomarkers in the context of gingival inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis

Abstract Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening chronic inflammatory disease in children due to respiratory complications. Saliva could serve as reservoir of bacterial colonization and potentially reflect systemic inflammation. This study investigated whether salivary triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1), peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1), interleukin (IL)-1? and calprotectin are associated with CF or reflect concomitant gingival inflammation. Methods Ten CF (age:3-12yrs) and ten systemically healthy age-and-gender-matched children (C) were enrolled in the study. Individuals with CF underwent routine laboratory determinations. Probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded on fully erupted teeth and saliva samples collected. Salivary TREM-1, PGLYRP1, IL-1? and calprotectin were analysed by ELISA. Results Children with CF had significantly higher BOP scores (P = 0.001) and calprotectin levels (P = 0.017) compared to the C group. TREM-1, PGLYRP1 and IL-1? could not distinguish between CF and SH but showed positive correlation with GI, PI and BOP in both groups. Calprotectin levels positively correlated with procalcitonin (P = 0.014), thrombocyte counts (P = 0.001), mean platelet volume (P = 0.030) and with PGLYRP1 (P = 0.019) and IL-1? (P = 0.013) in CF children. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for calprotectin (CFvsC) showed an area under the curve of 0.79 (95% CI 0.58-0.99, P = 0.034). Conclusions CF children presented with higher gingival inflammation scores and salivary calprotectin levels, that correlated with systemic inflammatory markers. Salivary calprotectin levels were not associated with periodontal parameters. Hence, preliminary data demonstrate that salivary calprotectin might have a chairside diagnostic potential for CF in children. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reservedPeer reviewe

Çalışma Mekanlarında Aydınlatma Tasarım İlkeleri

<p><i>Çalışma mekanları, birden fazla kişinin birbirleri ile etkileşim halinde olduğu, farklı boyut ve hacimlere sahip olan çalışma alanları olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Günümüzde ofis hacimlerinde büyüme ve gereksinimlerde artış görülmektedir. Günlerinin büyük bir bölümünü ofislerde geçiren çalışanlar için bu gereksinimler daha önemli bir hale gelmiştir. Bir ofisin iç mekân tasarımı ve buna bağlı olarak fiziksel, psikolojik ve biyolojik açıdan çalışanlara büyük etkisi olan aydınlatma tasarımının önemi oldukça fazladır. Aydınlatma bir bütün olarak düşünülmelidir ve kullanıcı ile beraber mekânın ihtiyaçları da göz önünde bulundurulmalıdır. Gün ışığına, kişilerin varlığına ve oluşturulan senaryoya bağlı olarak kontrol dilen aydınlatma ile farklı ortamlar yaratılır ve aynı zamanda enerji tasarrufu da sağlanabilir. Bu makalede çalışma mekanlarında aydınlatma tasarımının genel ilkeleri ele alınmış ve bir aydınlatma tasarımında dikkat edilmesi gereken konulara değinilmesi hedeflenmiştir. Bu bağlamda gerekli literatür araştırmaları yapılarak ofislerin mimari yapısı, aydınlatma tasarımının genel ilkeleri, aydınlatma sistemleri, aydınlatma biçimleri ve kontrol sistemleri hakkında bilgi verilmiştir.</i></p&gt

Location selection for solar power plants by using support vector machines: Adıyaman province, Turkey

The demand for natural resources and energy is increasing daily due to increasing trade and production opportunities resulting from population increase and globalization. The rising demand for energy and the uneven distribution of non-renewable energy have spurred a growing interest in renewable energy. Solar power has been preferred as a significant source of energy in power production in Turkey due to its geographical location, and this has brought the need for selecting suitable areas for the establishment of Solar Power Plants (SPP) in the provinces of the country that are rich in terms of solar power potential. The research focuses on identifying suitable areas for SPP in Adiyaman province, utilizing Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS). The spatial database incorporates 13 criteria affecting SPP establishment, and the study employs the Support Vector Machines (SVM) method for analysis. The results indicate that approximately 67 % of Adiyaman province is not suitable for SPP, while 8 % is deemed ideal at a moderate degree, 10 % is convenient, and 15 % is the most suitable. Establishing the SPPs planned in Adiyaman province in the most appropriate areas will ensure that more energy is obtained and significantly contribute to the province's economy, environment, and society

New-onset axillary lymphangioma: a case report

Abstract Background Lymphangioma is a rare diagnosis in adult patients and typically presents in early infancy. These tumors are a result of malformation of the lymphatic vessels and usually involve the head, neck, and axilla. Case presentation We report the case of a 28-year-old African female who recently immigrated from East Africa and presented to our surgical breast clinic with a large and rapidly growing left axillary mass. Initial history and evaluation were concerning for hydatid cyst; however, on surgical excision, gross appearance was consistent with cystic lymphangioma. Diagnosis was confirmed on pathology review. Conclusions Although lymphangiomas are typically found in young children, adults may develop these tumors in response to unknown triggers. Surgical excision is the preferred treatment. </jats:sec