Obstructive sleep apnea as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical condition that occurs in approximately 5% to 15% of the population. It is usually associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Diagnosis of OSA is based on polysomnography, and its severity is measured with an apnea-hypopnea index. Most of the adverse effects of OSA on the cardiovascular system are reversible with treatment. In addition to continous positive airway pressure therapy, precautions such as weight loss, avoidance of central nervous system depressants, treatment of nasal congestion and sleeping in the lateral position may help to treat OSA. (Cardiol J 2007; 14: 534-537)

Obturacyjny bezdech senny jako czynnik ryzyka rozwoju chorób układu sercowo-naczyniowego

Obturacyjny bezdech senny jest stosunkowo często występującym schorzeniem, które dotyka około 5-15% populacji. Zaburzenie to zazwyczaj ściśle wiąże się ze zwiększonym ryzykiem rozwoju chorób układu sercowo-naczyniowego. Diagnostyka obturacyjnego bezdechu sennego opiera się na badaniu polisomnograficznym, a jego nasilenie mierzy się za pomocą wskaźnika bezdechów i spłyceń oddychania. Większość działań niepożądanych wywoływanych przez obturacyjny bezdech senny w odniesieniu do układu sercowo-naczyniowego ma, w toku włączonego leczenia, charakter odwracalny. Oprócz terapii za pomocą wentylacji w trybie ciągle dodatniego ciśnienia w drogach oddechowych w celu kompleksowego leczenia obturacyjnego bezdechu sennego zaleca się również zmniejszenie masy ciała, unikanie leków o depresyjnym wpływie na centralny układ nerwowy, leczenie niedrożności jamy nosowej, a także spanie w pozycji bocznej. (Folia Cardiologica Excerpta 2008; 3: 74-78

The Effects of Lambda on Combustion Characteristics in a Reactive Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) Engine

Bu çalışmada reaktif kontrollü sıkıştırma ile ateşlemeli (RCCI) bir motorda lamdanın (λ) yanma karakteristikleri üzerindeki etkileri deneysel olarak incelenmiştir. Dört zamanlı, dört silindirli benzinli bir motor tam yük şartlarında referans yakıt PRF40 (Primary reference fuel, %40 porttan izooktan, %60 direkt n-heptan) kullanılarak λ=0.83, λ=0.88, λ=1, λ=1.24, λ=1.61 ve λ=2.65 lamda değerlerinde sabit 40°C emme giriş sıcaklığı ve 1000 d/d motor devrinde çalıştırılmıştır. RCCI yanma modunda yanma karakteristikleri, indike termik verim, net iş, kümülatif ısı yayılımı ve özgül yakıt tüketiminin değişimleri incelenmiştir. Deneysel çalışmalar sonucunda karışımın zenginleşmesi ile yanmanın rötara alındığı görülmüştür. Maksimum silindir içi basınç λ=0.83 ile elde edilmiştir. Lamda arttıkça indike termik verimin arttığı, özgül yakıt tüketiminin azaldığı görülmüştür. Maksimum indike termik verim λ=1.61’da %38.36 olarak belirlenmiştir. Karışımın daha da fakirleştirilmesi (λ=2.65) termik verimin azalmasına neden olmuştur. Test sonuçları aynı zamanda karışım fakirleştikçe çevrimsel farklılıkların arttığını, maksimum çevrimsel farklılığın λ=2.65 değerinde %5.91 olduğunu göstermiştir. RCCI motorda lamdanın yanma karakteristikleri ve yanma süresi üzerinde kayda değer etkilerinin olduğu görülmüştür.In this study, the influences of lambda on combustion characteristics in a RCCI engine were experimentally investigated. A four stroke, four cylinder, gasoline engine was operated with PRF40 fuel (Primary reference fuel, %40 port injection izooktan, %60 direct injection n-heptan), lambda values of λ=0.83, λ=0.88, λ=1, λ=1.24, λ=1.61, λ=2.65, 40°C constant intake air temperature, 1000 rpm engine speed and wide open throttle (WOT). Combustion characteristics, indicated thermal efficiency, network, cumulative heat release and specific fuel consumption (SFC) were investigated on RCCI mode. Rich mixtures caused combustion to retard. Maximum in-cylinder pressure was obtained with λ=0.83. Lower SFC and higher indicated thermal efficiency were obtained at higher lambda. Maximum indicated thermal efficiency was determined as 38.36 % with λ=1.61. Leaner charge mixture caused to decrease of thermal efficiency. The test results also showed that cyclic variations increased with leanaer charge mixtures(λ=2.65) and it was shown that maximum cyclic variation was 5.91 % with λ=2.65. Considerable effects of lambda were seen on combustion characteristics and combustion phase in RCCI engine

Travmalı köpeklerde bazı laboratuvar verilerin değerlendirilmesi

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı travma şikayeti ile cerrahi kliniğe getirilen sahipsiz köpeklerden alınan kan numunelerinde hematoloji, kan gazı, serum biyokimya ve oksidatif stress düzeylerine bakarak prognozun ve olası komplikasyonların önlenebilmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma, travma şikayetiyle getirilen 15 sokak köpeği ile 9 sağlıklı köpek üzerinde yapıldı. Elde edilen kan numuneleri hematoloji, kan gazı, serum biyokimyası [alkalen fosfataz (ALP), alanin aminotransferaz (ALT), aspartat aminotransferaz (AST), kreatin kinaz (CK), kalsiyum (Ca), fosfor (P), kolesterol (Chol), kreatinin (Crea), gamma glutamil transferaz (GGT), laktat dehidrogenaz (LDH), total protein (TP), triglyserit (Trig), kan üre nitrojen (BUN)] ile oksidatif stres yönünden thiobarbutirik asit reaktif substans (TBARs) ölçümleri değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Travmalı köpeklerde ALP, AST, CK, P, Crea ve TBARs düzeyleri sağlıklı köpeklerden istatistiksel olarak farklı olduğu (p?0.05) belirlendi. Kan gazı ve hematolojik verilere bakıldığında kan laktat ve monosit değerleri referans değerlere kıyasla yüksek olduğu belirlenirken, potasyum ve iyonize kalsiyum değerleri düşük olarak tespit edildi. Öneri: Sonuç olarak travmalı köpeklerde travmanın genişliğine bağlı olarak biyokimyasal profil değişiklik gösterirken, altta yatan başka bir hastalığı olmayan köpeklerde travmanın şiddetiyle alakalı olarak oksidatif stres düzeylerinin yüksek seyretmesi biyolojik bir belirteç olarak değerlendirilebilir. Bununla birlikte prognozun belirlenebilmesi için ise daha spesifik belirteçlerin ortaya konulması açısından daha ileri çalışmaların yapılmasına ihtiyaç vardır.Aim: The aim of this study is to determine prognosis and prevent potential complications in blood samples taken from stray dogs brought into the surgery clinic with complaints of trauma based on hematology, blood gas, serum biochemistry and oxidative stress levels.Materials and Methods: : The study was conducted on 15 traumatized stray dogs and 9 healthy dogs. The obtained blood samples were analyzed for hematology, blood gas, serum biochemistry [alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), Phosphorus (P), cholesterol (Chol), creatinine (Crea), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein (TP), triglyceride (Trig), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)] and thiobarbutyric acid reactive substance (TBARs) values.Results: ALP, AST, CK, P, Crea and TBARs levels were different in traumatized dogs compared to healthy dogs (p˂0.05). Lactate and monocyte values were higher, while potassium and ionized calcium values were lower compared to reference values of dogs in blood gas and hematologic values.Conclusion: As a result, the biochemical profile varies depending on the extent of trauma in traumatized dogs, whereas high levels of oxidative stress related to the severity of trauma in dogs with no other underlying disease can be considered as a biological marker. However, in order to determine the prognosis and prevent the complications, further studies are needed to establish more specific marker

The evaluation and treatment of hirsute women

Hirsutism in women is defined as an excess of body hair in the androgen-sensitive skin regions. The different genetic backgrounds of various populations may affect the causes of hirsutism. In fact, the most important reason for investigation is to identify those women with androgen-secreting tumors, since they require different therapy. Hirsutism may have various causes, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, enzyme defects in adrenal steroid biosynthesis, Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, ovarian or adrenal tumors, or it may be idiopathic. In most patients, hirsutism is associated with hyperandrogenemia and the most common cause of androgen excess is polycystic ovary syndrome. Androgen-secreting tumors should be suspected when the onset and progression of hirsutism is rapid and/or when it is associated with virilization. Patients should be informed about the type and duration of therapy. The selection of drug/drugs depends on the severity of the hirsutism, associated conditions such as menstrual irregularities, systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and any contraindication to possible therapeutic agents. Diane((R)) 35 is the most common drug used for the suppression of ovarian androgen production. Peripheral blockade of androgen actions, by using spironolactone, finasteride or flutamide on the skin, is also effective in the treatment of hirsutism