Wpływ przeładowania żelazem na występowanie endokrynopatii u chorych na beta-talasemię major i intermedia

Introduction: Iron overload is a major problem in patients with b-thalassemia major, and it has many structural and metabolic consequences. In this study, we aimed to consider the prevalence of endocrine abnormalities in patients with β-thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia. Materials and methods: We ordered following tests for consideration endocrine abnormalities: fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance, iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), parathyroid hormone levels. Results: According to our study including 70 patients with thalassemia major, 7 (10%) had diabetes, 5 (7.1%) had impaired glucose tolerance, 9 (12.8%) had hypothyroidism, 2 (2.8%) had hypoparathyroidism, 2 (2.8%) had hyperparathyroidism. Of 22 patients with thalassemia intermedia, 1 (4.5%) had diabetes. Conclusions: These findings reinforce the importance of regular follow-up of patients with b-thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia for early detection and management of associated complications. In this way, the prevalence of endocrine abnormalities can be decreased in future.Wstęp: Przeładowanie żelazem jest częstym problemem u osób chorujących na beta-talasemię major, związanym z wieloma strukturalnymi i metabolicznymi następstwami. Niniejsze badanie przeprowadzono w celu oceny częstości zaburzeń metabolicznych u pacjentów z β-talasemią major i intermedia. Materiały i metody: Przeprowadzono następujące badania pozwalające ocenić zaburzenia gospodarki hormonalnej: glikemia na czczo, doustny test tolerancji glukozy, stężenie żelaza, całkowita zdolność wiązania żelaza, stężenia ferrytyny, tyreotropiny (TSH), wolnej tyroksyny (fT4), wolnej trijodotyroniny (fT3) i parathormonu. Wyniki: Spośród 70 chorych z talasemią major włączonych do niniejszego badania u 7 (10%) osób stwierdzono cukrzycę, u 5 (7,1%) nieprawidłową tolerancję glukozy, u 9 (12,8%) niedoczynność tarczycy, a u 2 (2,8%) nadczynność tarczycy. W grupie 22 chorych z talasemią intermedia 1 (4,5%) osoba chorowała na cukrzycę. Wnioski: Uzyskane wyniki potwierdzają znaczenie regularnych badań u chorych na beta-talasemię major i intermedia, co umożliwia wczesne wykrycie i rozpoczęcie leczenia związanych z tą chorobą powikłań. Takie postępowanie może się przyczynić do zmniejszenia częstości zaburzeń hormonalnych w przyszłości

RELIGION AS A SOURCE OF PEACE OR CONFLICT IN BALKAN POLITICS: AN ASSESMENT

Although scholars converge on the importance of religion in Balkan politics, theydisagree on its exact role. Based on the activities of some religious groups incountries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, some observers consider religion to have adivisive and centrifugal effect on the Balkan people. Another line of argument,however, states that religious actors can help prevent or mitigate conflicts in theregion. Although further research is necessary for conclusive remarks, this studyargues that both sides have validating points to their claims. Data from WorldValues Survey and other available research on the region affirm the general stancethat religion constitutes a significant factor in the lives of Balkan people andpolitics, and cannot be easily dismissed as irrelevant. The importance attributed toreligious institutions and leaders also make them likely candidates for promotingpeace in the region. Whether religious leaders and institutions have used their fullpotential to date or not, however, remain questionable, and needs explanation.Given the complex effect that religion seems to have on Balkan politics, and itsrising importance as an explanatory variable in the contemporary IR literature, it islikely to retain its focal position in Balkan studies for the foreseeable future

From 'Plodder' to 'Creative':feedback in teacher education

This article discusses the case study of four student teachers, examining the ways in which a particular kind of feedback—namely, confirmatory feedback—can act as a catalyst for some of the learning and potential change student teachers in a teaching practice group may experience on an initial teacher education programme. It illustrates how one piece of confirmatory feedback given to the student teacher, Jake, during post-observation feedback sessions has been influential not just for him but also for his peers. The article shows how this kind of feedback can be particularly effective when it is specific and detailed. It also exemplifies confirmatory feedback and considers the implications of such feedback for the field of teacher education

Transnational Labour Solidarity and Social Movement Unionism: Insights from and beyond a Women Workers' Strike in Turkey

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Through an analysis of solidarity across borders and social groups in connection with and beyond a strike on the part primarily of women workers at a foreignowned factory in Turkey’s Antalya Free Zone, this article contributes to the debate on the two union renewal strategies of transnational labour solidarity and coalition building with social movements. In the case at hand, the extensive strike-related support on the part of external unions and the women’s movement illustrates the positive difference that solidarity practices can make. However, looking beyond the strike itself, the case points to significant challenges related to the development of deeper and more proactive solidarity across borders and social groups

Developing Large-Scale Bayesian Networks by Composition: Fault Diagnosis of Electrical Power Systems in Aircraft and Spacecraft

In this paper, we investigate the use of Bayesian networks to construct large-scale diagnostic systems. In particular, we consider the development of large-scale Bayesian networks by composition. This compositional approach reflects how (often redundant) subsystems are architected to form systems such as electrical power systems. We develop high-level specifications, Bayesian networks, clique trees, and arithmetic circuits representing 24 different electrical power systems. The largest among these 24 Bayesian networks contains over 1,000 random variables. Another BN represents the real-world electrical power system ADAPT, which is representative of electrical power systems deployed in aerospace vehicles. In addition to demonstrating the scalability of the compositional approach, we briefly report on experimental results from the diagnostic competition DXC, where the ProADAPT team, using techniques discussed here, obtained the highest scores in both Tier 1 (among 9 international competitors) and Tier 2 (among 6 international competitors) of the industrial track. While we consider diagnosis of power systems specifically, we believe this work is relevant to other system health management problems, in particular in dependable systems such as aircraft and spacecraft. (See CASI ID 20100021910 for supplemental data disk.

A bilateral and symmetrical variation of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle.

We observed a bilateral and symmetrical variation of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle during the dissection of a 35-year-old female cadaver. The accessory muscle bundles were arranged in a cross. These bundles were found superficial to the mylohyoid muscle and deep in the platysma. Such a variation from perfect symmetry has not been previously reported. To avoid misinterpretation of radiological tests, it is important to be aware of bilateral and symmetrical variations of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle when examining the floor of the mouth and the submental region.</p

Implementation of a simplified method for actuation of ferrofluids

This paper was presented at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011), which was held at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki in Greece. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute.Magnetic actuation of ferrofluids is an emergent field that will open up new possibilities in various fields of engineering. The quality and topology of the magnetic field that is being utilized in such systems is determinant in terms of flow properties, flow rates and overall efficiency. Determining the optimal magnetic field topology to achieve the desired results, and determining the methods by which these magnetic fields are to be generated are central problems of obtaining the desired flow. A healthy comparison of various magnetic field topologies requires a varied set of examples from the most simplified to most sophisticated. Such comparisons are necessary to have a well grounded starting point. This study focuses on a particular pump design that employs a simplified magnetic field topology to obtain ferrofluid flow. The results of this paper such as flow and pressure difference are intended to form a baseline for future reference.Sabancı University Internal Research Grant, no: IACF09-0064

A Survey of Health Management User Objectives Related to Diagnostic and Prognostic Metrics

One of the most prominent technical challenges to effective deployment of health management systems is the vast difference in user objectives with respect to engineering development. In this paper, a detailed survey on the objectives of different users of health management systems is presented. These user objectives are then mapped to the metrics typically encountered in the development and testing of two main systems health management functions: diagnosis and prognosis. Using this mapping, the gaps between user goals and the metrics associated with diagnostics and prognostics are identified and presented with a collection of lessons learned from previous studies that include both industrial and military aerospace applications