Providing a Hybrid Methodology to Solve the Supplier Selection Problems: Application of MCDM Techniques

The emphasis of supply chain management (SCM) is majorly on the relationship between enterprise alliance and core enterprise. One of the main decision-making problems in SCM is choosing strategic partners, which also is the key to a prosperous SCM. In the present study, SCM is investigated using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) simulation approach o examine the uncertainty involved in AHP and reduce its risk to some extent. Finally, this approach is employed to solve the problem of supplier selection in SCM

Epidemiology of pemphigus in Turkey: One-year prospective study of 220 cases

Pemphigus is a group of rare and life-threatening autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. Although they occur worldwide, their incidence shows wide geographical variation, and prospective data on the epidemiology of pemphigus are very limited. Objective of this work is to evaluate the incidence and epidemiological and clinical features of patients with pemphigus in Turkey. All patients newly diagnosed with pemphigus between June 2013 and June 2014 were prospectively enrolled in 33 dermatology departments in 20 different provinces from all seven regions of Turkey. Disease parameters including demography and clinical findings were recorded. A total of 220 patients were diagnosed with pemphigus during the 1-year period, with an annual incidence of 4.7 per million people in Turkey. Patients were predominantly women, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.41. The mean age at onset was 48.9 years. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) was the commonest clinical subtype (n=192; 87.3%), followed by pemphigus foliaceus (n=21; 9.6%). The most common clinical subtype of PV was the mucocutaneous type (n=83; 43.2%). The mean Pemphigus Disease Area Index was 28.14±22.21 (mean ± Standard Deviation).  The incidence rate of pemphigus in Turkey is similar to the countries of South-East Europe, higher than those reported for the Central and Northern European countries and lower than the countries around the Mediterranean Sea and Iran. Pemphigus is more frequent in middle-aged people and is more common in women. The most frequent subtype was PV, with a 9-fold higher incidence than pemphigus foliaceus.   </p

Elevated Hyaluronan Levels in Patients with Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis and Pulmonary Arterial Thromboembolism

Introduction: The role of hyaluronan (HA) was previously demonstrated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Mitral stenosis (MS) and pulmonary arterial thromboembolism (PTE) are important health problems that can cause pulmonovascular pathology. Pulmonary arterial hypertension develops especially in untreated patients with severe MS and most of patients with PTE. However, there is no data about HA levels in patients with MS and PTE. In this study, we investigated HA levels in patients with rheumatic MS and PTE.</p

Factors affecting compliance with positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea

Objective To investigate the factors affecting compliance with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy and establish the relationship between compliance and pulmonary function tests (PFT) in patients with OSA. Material and methods In this prospective study, patients with OSA using PAP devices were questioned about the complaints related to the device. Depression and anxiety scales along with PFT parameters were also assessed. Results Of 98 participants, 63% were men. The mean age was 52.0 +/- 9.6 years. Sixty-seven percent of the patients were compliant with their devices. A significant difference was observed between the proportion of the participants compliant or non-compliant with the device, based on OSA severity (p 0.05). The rates of nasal mask use, not having difficulty in tolerating CPAP, falling asleep, absence of abdominal distension, no facial sores, no air leakage, patients benefiting from the device, reduction in daytime sleepiness, and the belief that they are receiving appropriate therapy in participants compliant with the device were higher than those in non-compliant participants (p < 0.05). The rates of claustrophobia and discomfort due to pressure were significantly lower in patients compliant with the device than in the non-compliant patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion While no relationship was detected between PFT parameters and PAP therapy compliance, significant factors affecting the device compliance were detected.WOS:0006796382000012-s2.0-85111554942PubMed: 3432860