Molecular Beamforming for Actuation in Molecular Communication Networks.

The actuation accuracy of sensing tasks performed by molecular communication (MC) schemes is a very important metric. Reducing the effect of sensors fallibility can be achieved by improvements and advancements in the sensor and communication networks design. Inspired by the technique of beamforming used extensively in radio frequency communication systems, a novel molecular beamforming design is proposed in this paper. This design can find application in tasks related to actuation of nano machines in MC networks. The main idea behind the proposed scheme is that the utilization of more sensing nano machines in a network can increase the overall accuracy of that network. In other words, the probability of an actuation error reduces as the number of sensors that collectively take the actuation decision increases. In order to achieve this, several design procedures are proposed. Three different scenarios for the observation of the actuation error are investigated. For each case, the analytical background is provided and compared with the results obtained by computer simulations. The improvement in the actuation accuracy by means of molecular beamforming is verified for a uniform linear array as well as for a random topology.

Explaining Skeletal System Anatomy with Classical Method, Video Assisted Method and 3D Imaging Techniques and Comparison of Learning Levels Between Methods

SUMMARY: The aim of this research is to introduce the ideal lecture technique to the literature by explaining the anatomy of the skeletal system using the classical method, video-assisted method and 3D imaging techniques. The research was carried out with 180 students. The number of samples was determined by power analysis (a=0.05,b=0.20, effect size=0.25). Participants were pre-screened and divided into 4 groups with the closest group mean (group 1: control group: the group that did not take anatomy lessons, group 2: video-assisted anatomy education, group 3: 3D anatomy course, group 4: classical anatomy education group). The courses in the training groups were organised as 4 hours/day, 2 days/week for 5 weeks. At the end of the course, the students were re-examined and scaled to determine the difference in scores and self-efficacy between the groups. A one-way ANOVA test was performed because the data were normally distributed when comparing between groups. The mean scores were calculated as group 1=30.22±6.24, group 2=39.02±9.15, group 3=49.77±9.20 and group 4=59.28±8.95. In the post hoc comparison, in pairwise comparisons between all groups, the differences were highly significant (pgroup 3>group 2>group 1 (p<0.001). According to the results of this study, the laboratory method in skeletal anatomy teaching is the best alternative to 3D anatomy teaching.

El objetivo de esta investigación es introducir la técnica de lectura ideal en la literatura, explicando la anatomía del sistema esquelético, utilizando el método clásico, el método asistido por video y las técnicas de imágenes en 3D. La investigación se llevó a cabo con 180 estudiantes. El número de muestras se determinó mediante análisis de potencia (a=0,05, b=0,20, tamaño del efecto=0,25). Los participantes fueron preseleccionados y divididos en 4 grupos con la media de grupo más cercana (grupo 1: grupo de control: el grupo que no tomó lecciones de anatomía, grupo 2: educación de anatomía asistida por video, grupo 3: curso de anatomía 3D, grupo 4: grupo de educación en anatomía clásica). Los cursos en los grupos de formación se organizaron con 4 horas/día, 2 días/semana durante 5 semanas. Al final del curso, los estudiantes fueron reexaminados y escalados para determinar la diferencia en puntajes y autoeficacia entre los grupos. Se realizó una prueba de ANOVA de una vía debido a que los datos se distribuyeron normalmente al comparar entre grupos. Las puntuaciones medias se calcularon como grupo 1=30,22±6,24, grupo 2=39,02±9,15, grupo 3=49,77±9,20 y grupo 4=59,28±8,95. En la comparación post hoc, en comparaciones por pares entre todos los grupos, las diferencias fueron altamente significativas (pgrupo 3>grupo 2>grupo 1 (p<0,001). Según los resultados de este estudio, el método de laboratorio en la enseñanza de la anatomía esquelética es la mejor alternativa a la enseñanza de la anatomía en 3D.

Magnificent harmony in morphometric measurements of orbita and foramen magnum / Armonía magnífica en medidas morfométricas de órbita y foramen magno

SUMMARY: The foramen magnum (FM) is the key component of the craniovertebral junction, which connects the brain stem and medulla spinalis and is closely related to vital structures. FM dimensions are of great clinical importance. Considering the similarity in shape between FM and orbita, we thought that there might be a relationship between the lengths (sagittal diameter) and widths (transverse diameter) of these structures. Since it is not possible to reach FM directly, we set up our hypothesis as can we calculate the foramen magnum dimensions from orbital measurements before proceeding to costly tests. We also investigated this harmony in the skulls we used in the study. In the study, 21 dried skull bones from the Turkish population were used. FM and right Orbital length and width measurements were made. Precision digital caliper was used for measurements. Statistical validity and reliability analyzes were performed to prove the agreement between the measurements. We found that the length of the orbit and FM in the sagittal plane is close to each other, with 34.74±2.11 mm and 34.99±3.0 mm, and the width of the orbit in the coronal plane is approximately 1.40 times the width of the FM. We proved that the estimation of FM dimensions based on orbital measurements is also statistically valid and safe. Using orbital measurements, it is possible to estimate FM dimensions which are difficult to reach directly in living humans.

El foramen magno (FM) es el componente clave de la unión craneovertebral, que conecta el tronco encefálico y el bulbo raquídeo y está estrechamente relacionado con las estructuras vitales. Las dimensiones FM son de gran importancia clínica. Teniendo en cuenta la similitud de forma entre FM y órbitas, consideramos que podría haber una relación entre las longitudes (diámetro sagital) y las anchuras (diámetro transversal) de estas estructuras. Dado que no es posible llegar al FM directamente, establecimos nuestra hipótesis y calculamos las dimensiones del foramen magno a partir de mediciones orbitales antes de proceder a costosas pruebas. También investigamos esta armonía en los cráneos que usamos en el estudio. En el estudio, se utilizaron 21 huesos de cráneo secos de la población turca. Se realizaron mediciones FM y de longitud y anchura orbitales. Para las mediciones se utilizó un calibrador digital de precisión. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos de validez y confiabilidad para probar la concordancia entre las mediciones. Encontramos que la longitud de la órbita y FM en el plano sagital es cercana entre sí, con 34,74±2,11 mm y 34,99±3,0 mm, y el ancho de la órbita en el plano coronal es aproximadamente 1,40 veces el ancho de la FM. Demostramos que la estimación de las dimensiones FM basadas en mediciones orbitales también es estadísticamente válida y segura. Empleando mediciones orbitales, es posible estimar dimensiones FM que son difíciles de alcanzar directamente en humanos vivos.

Effects of infliximab against carbon tetrachloride-induced spleen toxicity in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a non-polar molecule used in industry in grain curing, insect-killing and especially in the production of chlorofluorocarbons. It is estimated that an average of 70,000 industry workers in Europe are exposed to this toxic compound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups: control group (saline only, Group I), infliximab (INF) group (Group II), CCl4 group (Group III) and CCl4+INF group (Group IV). RESULTS: While there was an increase in the numerical density of CD3, CD68, and CD200R positive T lymphocytes and macrophages in the CCl4 administration group (p=0.000), this was not the case in the CCl4+INF administration group (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: TNF-α inhibitors have a protective effect against CCl4-induced spleen toxicity/inflammation as seen by the reduction in CD3, CD68, CD200R positive T lymphocytes and macrophages.

Immune-inflammatory-nutritional status predicts oncologic outcomes after radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To perform the first investigation of the role of immune-inflammatory-nutritional status (INS) on oncological outcomes in patients undergoing open radical cystectomy (ORC) for urothelial carcinoma (UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of consecutive patients who underwent ORC for non-metastatic bladder cancer between 2009 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, non-urothelial tumor biology, and absence of oncological follow-up were exclusion criteria. Systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) values were calculated and optimal cut-off values for these were used to designate four subgroups: "high SII-high PNI", "low SII-high PNI", "low SII-low PNI", and "high SII-low PNI". The Low SII-high PNI INS group had best overall survival (OS) rate while the remainder were included in non-favorable INS group. Survival curves were constructed, and a multivariate Cox regression model was used for OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: After exclusions, the final cohort size was 173 patients. The mean age was 64.31 ± 8.35 and median follow-up was 21 (IQR: 9-58) months. Optimal cut-off values for SII and PNI were 1216 and 47, respectively. The favorable INS group (low SII-high PNI, n = 89) had the best OS rate (62.9%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that non-favorable INS (n = 84) was a worse independent prognostic factor for OS (HR: 1.509, 95%CI: 1.104-3.145, p = 0.001) and RFS (HR: 1.285; 95%CI: 1.009-1.636, p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Preoperative assessment of INS may be a useful prognostic panel for OS and RFS in patients who had ORC for UC.

Evaluation of postprandial symptoms in two different laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy techniques using gastric emptying scintigraphy.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a frequently used procedure in the surgical treatment of obesity in recent years. However, surgeons have different opinions regarding the distance from the antrum to the pylorus. In addition, postprandial symptoms significantly affect the overall quality of life. Aim: Therefore, this study aimed to understand the relationship between postprandial symptoms with gastric emptying time and surgical procedures. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients who underwent LSG surgery were analyzed retrospectively and divided into two groups: antrum preserved (AP) and antrum resected (AR). The antral resection margin was 2 cm from the pylorus in 35 patients (AR group) and 6 cm in 25 patients (AP group). Semisolid gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) was performed prospectively in both groups. Postprandial symptoms were standardized with a questionnaire. The relationship of symptoms with a half time of gastric emptying (GE T½), retention percentage at 30 and 60 minutes, lag phase, body mass index (BMI), and a decline in excess weight (% EWL), and antrum resection were investigated. The obtained results were compared between the two groups and with the control group. Results: The study group comprised 60 patients (49 F/11 M, mean age: 40.3 ± 20.1 years, BMI 31.6 ± 8.1 kg/m2). The half-time of gastric emptying in the AR and AP groups (28.00 min ± 9.58, 28.24 min ± 11.90, respectively), percentage gastric retention at 30 and 60 minutes in the AR and AP groups (30 minutes: %44.37 ± 17.88, %40.52 ± 14.56 and 60 minutes: 17 ± 8.9, 19 ± 3.1) was significantly different compared with the control group, but no significant difference was observed between the study groups. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference between the AR and AP groups in postprandial symptom scores >9 (68.6%, 60%, P = 0.681), GER (77.1%, 64%, P = 0.253), and postoperative BMI (p = .397), % EWL (p = .975), and T lag phase (p = .332). Conclusions: In our study, the postprandial symptoms were not affected between two different surgical procedures in LSG.

The effect of Ramadan fasting on nasal mucociliary activity and peak nasal inspiratory flow.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting (RF) on nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). METHODS: Sixty-two (41 male and 21 female) healthy subjects who stated that they would fast continuously during the month of Ramadan were included in this prospective study. Day 0 (baseline), 1st day (after one day of RF), and 29th (after 29 days of RF) nasal mucociliary clearance time (MCT) with saccharine test and PNIF values were determined. Subject weights (SW) were measured on Day 0 and Day 29. The obtained data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The mean of SW on day 0 was 78.53 ± 10.95 kg, and the mean of SW on Day 29 was 78.69 ± 10.87 kg. There was no significant difference in terms of SW (p = 0.251, p > 0.05). A significant difference was found between the MCT and PNIF values measured on different study days (p < 0.05). The MCT values for Day 29 were significantly higher than the values for other days (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the MCT values on the first day and the baseline (p = 0.891, p > 0.05). The PNIF values for Day 29 were significantly higher than the values for other days (p < 0.05). The PNIF values on the first day were significantly higher than the baseline (p = 0.008, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that RF leads to MCT prolongation and PNIF increase. Ramadan fasting causes deterioration in nasal airway defense and improvement in nasal respiration.

The Onlay Rotated Flap (ORF): An Original Technique for Nasal Tip Plasty.

OBJECTIVE: The reshaping of the nasal tip in rhinoplasty according to the expectations of the patient and the surgeon is called tip plasty. in this article, the onlay rotated flap (ORF) is presented as a new technique for reshaping, supporting, and projecting the nasal tip without any resection or grafting. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (26 female and 6 male) were included in the study retrospectively. Primary rhinoplasty with ORF was performed to all patients. The follow-up period was between 9 and 12months. The nasal tip projection (NTP) with Goode method and nasal tip rotation (NTR) according to nasolabial angle were calculated in standardized preoperative and postoperative(6th month) photographs with image J. SPSS Version 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no complications resulting from our procedure. There were no visible tip flaps, no distortion, no asymmetry, and no alar retraction. Revision surgery was not required in any patient. The preoperative and postoperative means of nasolabial angle (Mean ± SD) were 92.06 ±â€Š7.73° and 99.71 ±â€Š6.06°, respectively. The preoperative and postoperative means of NTP (Mean ± SD) were 0.535 ±â€Š0.041 and 0.57 ±â€Š0.386, respectively. The postoperative nasal tip rotation and NTP values of the ORF procedure were found to be statistically significantly higher than the preoperative values (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ORF technique is another alternative for achieving adequate nasal tip definition and projection and has many advantages and very successful postoperative results. The alar retraction was not encountered in our technique and this is the superior aspect of our technique over similar methods described in the literature.

Asymmetrical Relaying in Molecular Communications.

Molecular communication via diffusion (MCvD) is a novel communication technique that uses the diffusive characteristics of molecules for enabling the communication between nanomachines. Since the molecules propagate following a random motion, MCvD schemes are usually limited to a short communication range. Most of the molecular relaying schemes in the literature consider symmetric setups where transmitters and receivers are placed at the same distance from the relay, which is difficult to provide in practical scenarios and a possible cause of failure. In this study, asymmetric molecular links of a relay system are investigated. In order to achieve a satisfactory overall performance in spite of the asymmetries, two parameter optimization methods are proposed for the uplink of a relaying system, based on emitting different types of molecules with different diffusion coefficient values from the transmitters. Due to the channel symmetry, the solutions presented in this study are expected to hold for the downlink as well. The resulting bit error rate (BER) performances are presented and discussed.

Mediastinal Thymolipoma: An Evaluation of the Clinical and Radiological Features and the Surgical Outcomes in 11 Cases

ABSTRACT Background: Thymolipoma is a rare benign tumour of the mediastinum, accounting for 2%-9% of all thymic tumours. Although many case reports have been published in the literature, few studies have analysed the clinical and radiological features and the surgical outcomes of this tumour. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiological features and the surgical outcomes of the patients with thymolipoma. Methods: We reviewed the records of the Pathology Department from the beginning of 2005 to the end of 2013. Results: We identified 11 patients with thymolipoma. There were eight male and three female patients. Their ages ranged from 27 to 72 years, with the mean age of 40 years. All patients described pulmonary or extrapulmonary symptoms. Two patients (18.2%) had myasthenia gravis. Chest X-ray was normal in four patients. Computed tomography of the thorax revealed a mass located in the anterior mediastinum in all patients. It showed fat attenuation in 4 of 11 patients (36.4%). Thymectomy was performed in all patients. The surgical approach was thoracotomy in five, sternotomy in four and video-assisted thoracic surgery in two patients. Thymolipomas ranged in size from 4 to 33 cm. One patient died 2 years after surgery. None of the remaining patients had evidence of recurrence on follow-up. Conclusion: Thymolipoma is a rare tumour of the thymus. It may be associated with myasthenia gravis. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice in the patients with thymolipoma. Complete surgical resection is the cure in most patients.

Development of pancreatic injuries in the course of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the cases with high lipase levels in the course of COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hospital records of all cases, where lipase levels were measured, and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test due to SARS-CoV-2 was found positive, were retrospectively investigated. Of 127 COVID-19 patients tested for lipase, 20 (15.7%) had serum lipase levels above the upper laboratory limit. The patient group with the "high lipase level" was created from these subjects, and the rest constituted the "control" group. RESULTS: While body mass index (BMI) levels were higher in the high lipase group, (p=0.014), the number of those with pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) was also found higher in the high lipase group than the controls (p=0.002). The history of DM was detected to increase the risk of developing high lipase level 4.63 times higher. Only two patients were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP). While oxygen saturations on admission (p=0.019) and discharge (p=0.011) were lower in the high lipase group than the controls, amylase (p<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.002) and D-dimer (p=0.004) levels were found higher. In addition, more patients required the treatment in intensive care unit in the high lipase group, compared to the controls (p=0.027). Accordingly, time of hospital stay became also prolonged (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic injuries or even AP may develop during SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in those with pre-existing DM. Monitoring of pancreatic enzymes is important in COVID-19 patients, especially with pre-existing DM.

Effect of receiver shape and volume on the Alzheimer disease for molecular communication via diffusion.

Nano-devices are featured to communicate via molecular interaction, the so-called molecular communication (MC). In MC systems, the information is carried by molecules where the amount of molecules constitutes the level of the signal. In this study, an MC-based system was analysed with different receiver topology and related parameters, such as size, shape, and orientation of receptors on the receiver. Also in the concept of nano-medicine, the effect of amyloid-beta ([inline-formula removed]), which is believed as the main cause of Alzheimer disease, on the successful reception ratio of molecules with the proposed receiver models was investigated. It was demonstrated that the cubic receiver model is superior to sphere one in terms of the correct reception ratio of the molecular signal. A cubic model where its edge (not rotated around the centre) is placed across the transmitter demonstrated a better performance in reducing the effect of [inline-formula removed] as compared to the sphere model while a cubic model where its corner (rotated around the centre) is placed across the transmitter demonstrated a worse performance than the spherical model. From this expression, it may be concluded that with the adjustment of topological system parameters the probability of successful reception ratio in MC may be possible.

Three-dimensional evaluation of treatment results of the Alt-RAMEC and facemask protocol in growing patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue effects of the alternating rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions (Alt-RAMEC) protocol combined with a facemask in prepubertal patients. METHODS: The study group (mean age 9.74 ± 1.46 years) consisted of 20 patients with class III malocclusion characterized by maxillary retrognathism. They were treated with a facemask for 7 months following a 9­week Alt-RAMEC protocol. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) records and three-dimensional (3D) photographs taken before (T0) and after the protraction and retention period (T1) were evaluated. The study group was compared with a well-matched control group of 16 untreated patients (mean age 9.44 ± 0.79 years) with the same malocclusion. The records for the control group included cephalometric radiographs and 3D photographs. RESULTS: In the study group, significant forward movements of A point (3.49 mm), nasal (2.91 mm) and zygomatic bones were achieved. Intermolar, internasal, and interzygomatic widths increased. Soft tissue points followed the hard tissue movements, apart from b and pog. In the control group, A (0.97 mm), B (1.69 mm), Pog, and b points presented forward movement. Significant differences were found regarding the forward movement of the maxilla between the groups. CONCLUSION: The Alt-RAMEC/facemask protocol was effective not only in the maxillary region but also in the midface.

Molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of Marek's disease virus in Turkish layer chickens.

1. There is no current data about the genotypes of Marek's disease virus (MDV) in Turkish poultry flocks; hence, this study was performed to analyse CVI988/Rispens, turkey herpesvirus (HVT) vaccine viruses and MDV field viruses as well as to perform phylogenetic analysis of MDV in Turkish layer chickens. 2. In 2017 and 2018, a total of 602 spleen samples from 49 layer flocks were collected from the Marmara, West Black Sea and Aegean regions. DNA was extracted from the spleen samples and the samples were analysed by real-time PCR probe assay to detect CVI988/Rispens and HVT vaccine viruses and MDV field strains. Samples found positive for MDV by real-time PCR were subjected to PCR using the Meq gene primers for phylogenetic analysis. 3. Amongst 49 flocks, virulent MDV was detected in nine flocks. CVI988/Rispens and HVT vaccine strains were detected in 47 flocks and HVT in all 49 flocks. Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and tumours in the oviduct were observed in chickens of affected flocks. Virulent MDV was detected in 120 out of 602 spleen samples. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses showed that MDVs detected in this study were closely related to MDV strains from Italy, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, India and China but showed diversity with MDV strains from Egypt and Hungary. Multiple sequence analysis of the Meq protein revealed several point mutations in deduced amino acid sequences. Interestingly, CVI988/Rispens vaccine virus from China (AF493555) showed mutations at position 66 (G66R) and 71 (S66A) along with two other vaccine strains from China (GU354326.1) and Russia (EU032468.1), in comparison with the other vaccine strain CVI988/Rispens (DQ534538). The molecular analyses of the Meq gene suggested that Turkish field strains of MDV are in the class of virulent or very virulent pathotypes. 4. The results have shown that MDV still affects poultry health, and the phylogenetic and amino acid variation data obtained will help in vaccination and control strategies.

Simulation Study and Analysis of Diffusive Molecular Communications With an Apertured Plane.

Molecular communication via diffusion (MCvD) is a method of achieving nano- and micro-scale connectivity by utilizing the free diffusion mechanism of information molecules. The randomness in diffusive propagation is the main cause of inter-symbol interfe-rence (ISI) and the limiting factor of high data rate MCvD applications. In this paper, an apertured plane is considered between the transmitter and the receiver of an MCvD link. Either after being artificially placed or occurring naturally, surfaces or volumes that resemble an apertured plane only allow a fraction of the molecules to pass. Contrary to intuition, it is observed that such topology may improve communication performance, given the molecules that can pass through the aperture are the ones that take more directed paths towards the receiver. Furthermore, through both computer simulations and a theoretical signal evaluation metric named signal-to-interference and noise amplitude ratio (SINAR), it is found that the size of the aperture imposes a trade-off between the received signal power and the ISI combating capability of an MCvD system, hinting to an optimal aperture size that minimizes the bit error rate (BER). It is observed that the trend of BER is accurately mirrored by SINAR, suggesting the proposed metric's applicability to optimization tasks in MCvD systems, including finding the optimal aperture size of an apertured plane. In addition, computer simulations and SINAR show that said optimal aperture size is affected by the location of the aperture and the bit rate. Lastly, the paper analyzes the effects of radial and angular offsets in the placement of the apertured plane, and finds that a reduction in BER is still in effect up to certain offset values. Overall, our results imply that apertured plane-like surfaces may actually help communication efficiency, even though they reduce the received signal power.

Effect of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on kidney and haemostatic function in cardiac surgical patients: a randomised controlled trial.

Whether third-generation hydroxyethyl starch solutions provoke kidney injury or haemostatic abnormalities in patients having cardiac surgery remains unclear. We tested the hypotheses that intra-operative administration of a third-generation starch does not worsen postoperative kidney function or haemostasis in cardiac surgical patients compared with human albumin 5%. This triple-blind, non-inferiority, clinical trial randomly allocated patients aged 40-85 who underwent elective aortic valve replacement, with or without coronary artery bypass grafting, to plasma volume replacement with 6% starch 130/0.4 vs. 5% human albumin. Our primary outcome was postoperative urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentrations, a sensitive and early marker of postoperative kidney injury. Secondarily, we evaluated urinary interleukin-18; acute kidney injury using creatinine RIFLE criteria, coagulation measures, platelet count and function. Non-inferiority (delta 15%) was assessed with correction for multiple comparisons. We enrolled 141 patients (69 starch, 72 albumin) as planned. Results of the primary analysis demonstrated that postoperative urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (median (IQR [range])) was slightly lower with hydroxyethyl starch (5 (1-68 [0-996]) ng.ml-1 ) vs. albumin (5 (2-74 [0-1604]) ng.ml-1 ), although not non-inferior [ratio of geometric means (95%CI) 0.91 (0.57, 1.44); p = 0.15] due to higher than expected variability. Urine interleukin-18 concentrations were reduced, but interleukin-18 and kidney injury were again not non-inferior. Of 11 individual coagulation measures, platelet count and function, nine were non-inferior to albumin. Two remaining measures, thromboelastographic R value and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation, were clinically similar but with wide confidence intervals. Starch administration during cardiac surgery produced similar observed effects on postoperative kidney function, coagulation, platelet count and platelet function compared with albumin, though greater than expected variability and wide confidence intervals precluded the conclusion of non-inferiority. Long-term mortality and kidney function appeared similar between starch and albumin.

Maxillary Sinus and Surrounding Bone Anatomy With Cone Beam Computed Tomography After Multiple Teeth Loss: A Retrospective Multicenter Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this multicenter study was to examine the residual alveolar bone anatomy and sinus mucosa pattern at maxillary sinus regions in multiple teeth loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted with cone beam computed tomography images of 518 patients (267 females and 251 males) with multiple posterior maxillary teeth loss. Variables associated with sinus membrane (SM), sinus dimensions, ostium, septa, sinus neighborhood, alveolar bone height and ridge width, posterior superior alveolar artery, and adjacent roots were evaluated. RESULTS: No (58.2%) or flat (19.3%) thickening morphology was detected at most of the SMs. Membrane thickening and mucosal-like morphology was more prevalent for male patients (P = 0.005). The mean sinus width was relatively low (3.64 ± 3.33 mm) at the 5-mm level and showed an expected increase toward upper levels. Most of the sinus spaces were dimensionally average (39.5%) or wide (44.7%), and no effect of gender was observed in terms of sinus dimensions (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Multiple teeth loss plays a role in creating an imaginary sinus anatomy constituted of a relatively narrow space compared with single-tooth loss cases, from 3.6-mm mean coronal width to 11.3 mm in the apical portion.

ISI-Aware Channel Code Design for Molecular Communication via Diffusion.

In molecular communication via diffusion, information molecules diffusing in the environment are subject to Brownian motion. Due to probabilistic propagation, the arrival of the molecules at the receiver is spread in time, leading to the reception of some molecules belonging to the previous symbol(s) during the upcoming symbol duration. Known as inter-symbol interference (ISI), this problem has been extensively studied in the literature by applying a large spectrum of techniques, mostly inspired by approaches in the wireless communication domain, including channel coding techniques. Unfortunately, many known channel codes do not perform well in the molecular communications domain since the diffusion channel features a significant memory component. In this paper, novel methods for channel coding by incorporating the effect of ISI in the design of the channel codes for the molecular diffusion channel are proposed. The results show that the proposed methods provide significant improvements in performance in terms of the codeword error rate.

Acute Respiratory Failure in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the frequency and cause of acute respiratory failure in renal transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our single-center retrospective observational study included consecutive renal transplant recipients who were admitted to an intensive care unit for acute respiratory failure between 2011 and 2017. Acute respiratory failure was defined as oxygen saturation < 92% or partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood < 60 mm Hg on room air and/or requirement of noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Of 187 renal transplant recipients, 35 (18.71%) required intensive care unit admission; 11 of these patients (31.4%) were admitted to the intensive care unit with acute respiratory failure. Six of these patients (54.5%) had pneumonia and had shown infiltrates on chest radiography, which were shown in a minimum of 3 zones of the lung (2 with Klebsiella pneumonia, 1 with Acinetobacter species, 1 with Proteus mirabilis, 2 with no microorganisms). The other reasons for acute respiratory failure were cardiogenic pulmonary edema (2 patients), acute respiratory distress syndrome (2 patients, due to acute pancreatitis and acute cerebrovascular thromboembolism), and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1 patient). Six patients (54.5%) needed invasive mechanical ventilation because of pneumonia (3 patients), cardiogenic pulmonary edema (2 patients), and cerebrovascular thromboembolism (1 patient). Hemodialysis was administered in 5 patients (45%). Six of 11 patients died due to pneumonia (3 p atients), cardiogenic pulmonary edema (2 patients), and cerebrovascular thromboembolism (1 patient). Among the 5 survivors, 3 (60%) had recovered previous graft function. CONCLUSIONS: Acute respiratory failure is associated with high mortality and morbidity in renal transplant recipients. Main causes of acute respiratory failure were bacterial pneumonia and cardiogenic pulmonary edema in our study population. Extended chemoprophylaxis for bacterial and fungal infection and early intensive care unit admission of patients with acute respiratory failure may improve outcomes.

Phylogeny and evolution of infectious bursal disease virus circulating in Turkish broiler flocks.

The emergence of new infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) variants can threaten poultry health and production all over the world causing significant economic losses. Therefore, this study was performed to determine IBDV molecular epidemilogy, VP2 gene variation, and corresponding pathological lesions in IBDV infected chickens in Turkey. For this, 1855 bursa of Fabricius samples were collected from 371 vaccinated broiler flocks. Atrophia and haemorrhages were seen in the bursa Fabricius of very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) infected chickens. Partial VP2 gene was sequenced and phylogenetic, recombination, and evolutionary analyses were performed. 1548 (83.5%) out of 1855 of bursa of Fabricius samples were IBDV positive and 1525 of those could be sequenced. The recombination analysis did not detect occurrence of any recombination event among the Turkish strains. Among 1525 sequenced samples, 1380 of them were found to be classical strains. Among 1380 classical strains, 1317 were similar to IBDV 2512, 11 to Faragher 52/70, 40 to 228 E, and 12 to Lukert strain. Out of 1525 reverse transcriptase ploymerase chain reaction positive samples, 144 of them were found to be similar to vvIBDV-VP2 gene reported to GenBank previously. The phylogenetic tree performed on a broad sequence dataset demonstrated grouping of vvIBDV Turkish strains in three different clusters, including sequences collected also from Iraq and Kuwait (Cluster 1), Indian (Cluster 2), and a distinct Turkish-only cluster (Cluster 3). The evolutionary rate estimation on branches/clades including Turkish strain mirrored the expected one for RNA viruses and no significant differences were found among different considered branches. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that vvIBDV strains similar to those circulating in various countries in the Middle East are present and undergoing evolution in chickens from Turkish broiler flocks. This point needs to be taken into account in planning adequate control strategies.