Development of a Remotely Accessible Wireless Testbed for Performance Evaluation of AMI Related Protocols

Although smart meters are deployed in many countries, the data collection process from smart meters in Smart Grid (SG) still has some challenges related to consumer privacy that needs to be addressed. Referred to as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), the data collected and transmitted through the AMI can leak sensitive information about the consumers if it is sent as a plaintext. While many solutions have been proposed in the past, the deployment of these solutions in real-life was not possible since the actual AMIs were not accessible to researchers. Therefore, a lot of solutions relied on simulations which may not be able to capture the real performance of these solutions. In this thesis, two 802.11s wireless mesh-based SG AMI network testbeds are developed with Beaglebone Black and Raspberry Pi 3 boards to provide a baseline for the simulations. The Raspberry Pi 3 testbed is also configured to be remotely accessible

Is the Probiotic Mixture Effective in the Treatment of TNBS-induced Experimental Colitis?

WOS: 000530895000009Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic disease associated with changes in the immune system and in the intestinal microbiota. The most accepted hypothesis of IBD pathogenesis is thought to be the abnormal immunological response and chronic intestinal inflammation, which is caused by the complex interactions between genetic, environmental factors and the host immune system. Microbial flora is important in the maturation of the immune system. Dysbiosis is defined as changes in intestinal microbiota composition and function. Clinical and experimental studies support that dysbiosis plays a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of IBD. Probiotics are useful live microorganisms that provide the intestinal balance in the host. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum bacteria in the experimental colitis model. Methods: Twenty-four female Wistar-Albino rats and 30 mg 0.5 mL trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in 50% ethanol which induced colitis by intrarectal installation. Rats were divided into four groups; healthy control (sham: group A), TNBS colitis (group B), (TNBS + methylprednisolone: group C) and probiotic (TNBS + P: group D). The rats were sacrificed on the 8th day. Macroscopic and microscopic scores, tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured. Results: Macroscopic and microscopic scores levels in group A were significantly lower than in group B, C and D. Macroscopic and microscopic scores levels in group C were significantly lower than in group B. Macroscopic scores were statistically similar between group C and D. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of median MDA levels and median SOD levels (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of median MPO levels (p=0.114). Median MPO levels were 0.27 (0.15-0.30) in group A, 0.44 (0.22-0.61) in group B, 0.28 (0.25-0.50) in group C, and 0.30 (0.25-0.37) in group D (p=0.114). Median MDA levels were 1.1 (1.0-2.8) in group A, 4.3 (3.1-5.5) in group B, 3.8 (3.2-4.2) in group C, and 3.9 (3.1-4.2) in group D (p<0.001). Median SOD levels were 160.7 (150.1-161.7) in group A, 141.6 (137.9-147.3) in group B, 157.6 (155.2-167.7) in group C, and 164.7 (160.3-168.3) in group D (p<0.001). MDA levels were statistically significantly different between each group. These levels were significantly higher in group B, C and D than in group A; statistically similar in group C and D; and statistically higher in group B than in group C and D (p<0.001 & p=0.047). SOD levels were statistically significantly different between each group. They were significantly lower in group B, C and D than in group B; statistically significantly different in group A, C and D; and statistically higher in group D than in group A and C. Conclusion: Our study showed that probiotics regulate the balance between anti-oxidant and oxidant systems. Therefore, probiotics can be used as a supportive treatment in inflammatory bowel diseases if promoted by clinical trials

Ventricular non-compaction in children: clinical characteristics and course

Isolated left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent trabeculations and deep intratrabecular recesses. In this study, we aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of children with ventricular non-compaction and determine the factors affecting prognosis. We retrospectively evaluated 29 children with LVNC followed at Dr. Sami Ulus Children Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Department from December 2004 to November 2009. There were 13 females (45%) and 16 males (55%) and the mean age at presentation was 4.8+/-4.6 years (one month-15 years). Although there was no statistical significance; early presentation age and high left ventricular end-diastolic diameter at the diagnosis were associated with poorer prognosis. (C) 2011 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved

The importance of internet usage for urologic patients

Objectives: To evaluate Internet usage frequency, rate of searched diseases and impact of Internet derived data on future patientphysician relationship in patients applying to an Urology Department. Methods: A well prepared questionnaire has been given to 1000 referring cases, out of which 589 accepted to participate on a volunteer basis to a face to face interview. Patients were divided into subgroups with respect to age, gender and as well as their educational and economical status. Regarding Internet, questions inquired the use of Internet, the point of view about it, opinions about healthcare system and most commonly urological diseases searched in Internet. Results: Of 589 patients participating, 38.2% reported access to the Internet; in relation to subgroup analysis of data, there was a statistically significant relationship between the use of Internet and age (p &lt; 0.001), gender (p = 0.048), educational status (p &lt; 0.001) and economical status of (p = 0.002) the cases evaluated. Diseasespecific information was most frequently sought: 18.2% searched for urolithiasis, 14.2% for non-cancer related kidney diseases, and 14.2% for urologic cancers. Conclusions: Younger patients with higher educational status tended to use Internet and the majority of these cases share all these information with their physicians during their visit. These findings indicate that all physicians should consider this fact seriously and make their future plans in the light of internet based activities which provides numerous advantages

Anomalous coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery: a report of four cases

Anomalous left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital cardiac malformation with a mortality rate of up to 90%, if left untreated within the first year of life. Symptoms and signs usually occur in early infancy when pulmonary vascular resistance drops and the left coronary artery flow is reduced. In this article, clinical signs and diagnostic and treatment methods for four cases who were diagnosed in our clinic were presented

Absent right superior vena cava with persistent left superior vena cava and normal atrial arrangement

Background: This study aims to investigate the role of echocardiography in the detection of venous anomalies of large thoracic veins in patients with large coronary sinus

Assessment of left ventricular functions with tissue Doppler, strain and strain rate echocardiography in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: An observational study

Objective: In juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) cardiac involvement is usually silent without typical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess left ventricular functions with tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE), strain and strain rate in children with JIA

Tertiary care center experience regarding the early approach to transposition of the great arteries

Background: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of balloon atrial septostomy in transposition of the great arteries patients and to evaluate possible factors influencing the procedure

An evaluation of heart rate variability and its modifying factors in children with type 1 diabetes

Objective: To evaluate heart rate variability by Holter monitoring in type 1 diabetic children compared with a healthy control group and determine the factors modifying heart rate variability. Methods: This was designed as a prospective study comparing 28 patients, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and under follow-up, with 27 healthy control group subjects. Results: The patients were aged 9.9 +/- 4.2 years in the diabetic group, including 13 (46.5%) girls and 15 (53.5%) boys. The healthy control group comprised 20 (74%) girls and seven boys (26%) with an average age of 8.6 +/- 3.7 years. The search for factors modifying heart rate variability yielded the following correlations: for the time-dependent variables, negative between age and both average and maximal heart rate (r = -0.263 and -0.460, respectively), negative between haemoglobin A1c and percentage of differences between adjacent RR intervals >50 ms, positive between diabetes duration and square root of the mean of the sum of squares of differences between adjacent NN intervals. The average heart rate and percentage of differences between adjacent RR intervals >50 ms was significantly higher in the girls than the boys in all groups. With regard to the frequency-dependent factors affecting heart rate variability, correlations were found between haemoglobin A1c level and both total power and very low frequency (r= -0.751 and -0.644) and between very low frequency and diabetes duration. Conclusion: A reduction in heart rate variability parameters was observed in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients who had a long disease duration or were poorly controlled, as compared with healthy controls