Recent graft materials in experimental study stage used in the treatment of nasal septum perforation: a review

Various conservative approaches are being used for the treatment of nasal septum perforations (NSPs); however, for permanent results, it is essential to use surgical methods. For this purpose, many various surgical methods have been tried, but a satisfactory method has not yet been determined. In order to eliminate the commonly encountered failure of surgical methods, new graft materials combined with flaps have been tried recently and successful results have been reported.In this review, we examined the scientific literature using Medline, PubMed, and Google by using the keywords "nasal septum perforation", "animal study", and "graft". According to the results obtained, we compiled graft materials that have been used in experimental stage related to this subject and reported to have achieved successful results, especially when combined with flaps. These materials seem promising for the successful closure of the hard-to-treat NSPs

Subintimal angioplasty and stenting in chronic total femoropopliteal artery occlusions: Early- and mid-term outcomes

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the initial and mid-term patency rates of chronic total femoropopliteal artery (FPA) occlusions treated by subintimal angioplasty (SIA) and stenting. Methods: From March 2010 to February 2013, 74 patients were included in the study. Seventy two patients with total occlusion of the FPA and good distal runoff (2 or 3 patent vessels) were treated with percutaneous SIA and stenting. All patients had severe claudication or critical limb ischemia. In all cases, the procedure was performed with a contralateral approach. Follow-up was done at 6 months with clinical evaluation and color-Doppler. If it was necessary, peripheric angiography was performed. Results: Immediate technical success was achieved in 72 (97%) patients. Two (3%) distal embolizations, 2 (3%) groin hematomas, 1 (1%) femoral pseudoaneurysm and 1 (1%) rupture of the junction-external iliac-superficial femoral artery occurred. All of the complications were treated successfully. Total occlusion in 1 patient and critical occlusion in 3 patients were showed at the 6th month. Patency rate at the sixth month was 94% with a stent length of 13.4 ± 8.2 cm. Conclusions: Percutaneous SIA and stenting for chronic total of the FPA occlusion showed good initial and mid-term patency rates, with few periprocedural complications

Subintimal angioplasty and stenting in chronic total femoropopliteal artery occlusions: Early- and mid-term outcomes

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the initial and mid-term patency rates of chronic total femoropopliteal artery (FPA) occlusions treated by subintimal angioplasty (SIA) and stenting. Methods: From March 2010 to February 2013, 74 patients were included in the study. Seventy two patients with total occlusion of the FPA and good distal runoff (2 or 3 patent vessels) were treated with percutaneous SIA and stenting. All patients had severe claudication or critical limb ischemia. In all cases, the procedure was performed with a contralateral approach. Follow-up was done at 6 months with clinical evaluation and color-Doppler. If it was necessary, peripheric angiography was performed. Results: Immediate technical success was achieved in 72 (97%) patients. Two (3%) distal embolizations, 2 (3%) groin hematomas, 1 (1%) femoral pseudoaneurysm and 1 (1%) rupture of the junction-external iliac-superficial femoral artery occurred. All of the complications were treated successfully. Total occlusion in 1 patient and critical occlusion in 3 patients were showed at the 6th month. Patency rate at the sixth month was 94% with a stent length of 13.4 ± 8.2 cm. Conclusions: Percutaneous SIA and stenting for chronic total of the FPA occlusion showed good initial and mid-term patency rates, with few periprocedural complications

Assessment of Nano-toxicity and Safety Profiles of Silver Nanoparticles

Nanotoxicology, which is related with toxic potentials of nanoparticles (NPs) and their adverse effects on living organisms and environment, is a sub-branch of toxicology discipline. Nano-toxicity of NPs depends on their doses, unique chemical, and physical properties. Nowadays, silver (Ag) NPs are used in many consumer and scientific applications such as antimicrobial and pharmaceutical applications, water purification systems, textile industry, and food packaging processes. However, the information that about their nano-toxic potentials is still not complete, and it is considered that several parameters of Ag NPs such as size, shape, surface, and stability affect the toxic potential in different ways. Nano-toxic potentials of Ag NPs were mentioned as in vivo, in vitro, and in silico the studies. In this chapter, it was evaluated the common unique properties of NPs are related with nanotoxicology such as size, surface area and modifications, shape, agglomeration status, and dose

CT Findings of Patients with Small Bowel Obstruction due to Bezoar: A Descriptive Study

Purpose. The aim of this study was to present the computed tomography (CT) findings of bezoars that cause obstruction in the small bowel and to emphasize that some CT findings can be considered specific to some bezoar types. Materials and Methods. The records of 39 patients who underwent preoperative abdominal CT and subsequent operation with a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction due to bezoars were retrospectively analyzed. Results. In total, 56 bezoars were surgically removed from 39 patients. Bezoars were most commonly located in the jejunum (n=26/56, 46.4%). Sixteen (41.0%) patients had multiple bezoar locations in the gastrointestinal tract. Common CT findings in all patients were a mottled gas pattern and a focal ovoid or round intraluminal mass with regular margins and a heterogeneous internal structure. Furthermore, some CT findings were determined to be specific to bezoars caused by persimmons. Conclusions. Preoperative CT is valuable in patients admitted with signs of intestinal obstruction in geographic regions with a high bezoar prevalence. We believe that the correct diagnosis of bezoars and the identification of their number and location provide a great advantage for all physicians and surgeons. In addition, some types of bezoars have unique CT findings, and we believe that these findings may help to establish a diagnosis

Estimating Demand for IMF Financing by Low-Income Countries in Response to Shocks

This paper estimates factors affecting demand for Fund financing by Low-Income Countries (LICs) in response to policy and exogenous shocks. Various economic variables including reserve coverage, current account balance to GDP, real GDP growth, macroeconomic stability, and terms of trade shocks are found to be significant determinants of Fund financing. Moreover, global conditions, including changes in real oil and non-oil commodity prices and world trade, are also significant. Therefore, the demand for Fund financing by LICs is likely to be cyclical in response to common shocks with its intensity depending on the severity and persistence of adverse shocks.Access to Fund general resources;Balance of payments need;Compensatory and Contingency Financing Facility;Cooperation with Fund;Economic growth;External shocks;Foreign direct investment;Fund approval;Fund arrangements;Low-income developing countries;Members;Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility;Stand-by arrangement requests;balance of payments, current account balance, current account, terms of trade, commodity prices, debt service, non-oil commodity, non-oil commodity prices, debt service to exports, oil prices, world trade, terms of trade shocks, trade shocks, current account deficit, non-oil commodities, counterfactual simulations, external debt, net present value of debt, black market premium, long-term debt, debt burden, multilateral creditors, short-term debt, debt rescheduling, debt outstanding, external debt service, foreign aid, debt relief, oil imports, oil shock, exogenous shock, global liquidity, per capita income, external borrowing, debt crisis, external financing, current account surplus, external finance, official creditors, trade shock, credit tranche, oil importers, reserve holdings, debt servicing, political economy, investment flows, external shock, exchange rate regime, debt sustainability, government deficit, imf repurchases, current account balances, current account deficits, debt relief initiative, repurchases, export earnings, multilateral debt, public and publicly guaranteed debt, public external debt, import costs, transition economies, external debt sustainability, multilateral agencies, repayment ability, external debt burdens, crisis countries, debt stock, credit tranches, balance of payments crisis, global shocks, public and publicly guaranteed, value of imports, debt servicing capacity, price of imports, trade losses, trade growth, external debt burden, member country, multilateral debt relief, exporting countries, export growth, debt burdens

Quantification of Delay Factors Using the Relative Importance Index Method for Construction Projects in Turkey

Construction delays are common in construction industry and create major concerns for project performance. Construction delays are caused by many factors. The aim of this paper is to identify delay factors on construction projects and analyze these factors with the relative importance index method. For this purpose, 83 different delay factors were identified, categorized into nine major groups, and visualized by the Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram through detailed literature review and interviews with experts from the construction industry. The relative importances of these delay factors were quantified by the relative importance index method. The ranking of the factors and groups were demonstrated according to their importance level on delay. According to the case study results, the factors and groups contributing the most to delays (those needing attention) were discussed, and some recommendations were made to minimize and control delays in construction projects. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000129. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers

Fuzzy Assessment Model to Estimate the Probability of Delay in Turkish Construction Projects

The aim of this paper is to propose a decision support tool for contractors before the bidding stage to quantify the probability of delay in construction projects in Turkey by using the relative importance index (RII) method incorporated into fuzzy logic. For this purpose, 83 delay factors were identified, categorized into 9 major groups through a detailed literature review process as well as interviews with experts from the construction industry. The relative importance of these delay factors and groups was quantified by using the relative importance index method. The ranking of the factors and groups was demonstrated according to their level of effect on delay. A delay assessment model was proposed using the fuzzy set theory by taking into account the delay factors characterized in construction projects. The assessment model was developed using a commercial software product. The proposed methodology was tested in a real case study; and the probability of the delay of the project was evaluated by means of the assessment model after the required inputs were entered into the software. The factors and groups that contribute most to the probability of delays were discussed depending on the case study results. The assessment model results were found to be satisfactory. Finally, some recommendations were made in order to minimize and control delays in construction projects

Comparison of lidocaine-lidocaine and lidocaine-esmolol efficiency in control of haemodynamic response to endotracheal extubation craniotomies

WOS: 000431893600014Purpose: In this study, we aimed to compare efficiency of lidocaine+lidocaine and lidocaine+esmolol combinations on elimination of undesirable hemodynamic changes during extubation. Materials and Methods: 60 patients ASA I-III scheduled for craniotomy were included in this study. Anaesthesia maintenance was provided with sevoflurane-remifentanil and 2 mg kg(-1) tramadol for postoperative pain. Lidocaine IV bolus 1 mg kg(-1) was administered to the patients 10 minutes before the end of operation in both groups. Lidocaine IV infusion 0.025 mg kg h(-1) and Esmolol IV infusion 50 mcg kg min(-1) was administered to Group I (Lidocain+Lidocain) and II (Lidocain+Esmolol) respectively. Haemodynamic parameters were recorded at 1, 5 and 10 minutes after lidokain and esmolol infusions. Results: There was a statistically significiant increase for haemodynamic changes after extubation when compared preoperative period in group I. There was a statistically significant increase for haemodynamic changes at 10 minutes after esmolol administration and extubation when compared preoperative period in group II. Extubation, eye opening, verbal response and orientation time in Group II were significantly longer than in Group I. Conclusion: Lidocaine bolus-lidocaine infusion which administered before extubation provided more stable hemodynamics and shorter extubation time than lidocaine bolus-esmolol infusion in patients who undergoing craniotomy

Molecular docking studies of YKT tripeptide and drug delivery system with poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles

Tyrosyllysylthreonine (YKT) is a peptide structure that contains three different amino acids in its structure and has anticancer properties. The main purpose of this study is to reveal the structural interactions of the peptide and to increase the efficiency of the peptide with nanoformulation. For these purposes, YKT-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using the double-emission precipitation method and the obtained NPs were characterized with a Zeta Sizer, UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectrometers, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The in vitro release profile of the peptide-loaded PCL NPs was determined. In molecular modeling studies, PCL, PCL-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and PCL-PVA-YKT systems were simulated in an aqueous medium by molecular dynamics simulations, separately. The information about the interactions between the YKT tripeptide and the epidermal growth factor and androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors were obtained with the molecular docking study. Additionally, the ADME profile of YKT was determined as a result of each docking study. In conclusion, tripeptide-based nanodrug development studies of the YKT tripeptide are presented in this study