Development and characterization of self-powered, highly sensitive optoelectronic device based on PVA-rGO nanofibers/n-Si.

This study provided a promising way to fabricate low-cost and high-performance Poly (vinyl alcohol)-reduced graphene oxide (PVA-RGO) nanofibers/n-Si heterojunction photodetector. For this purpose, the hybrid heterojunction with a very-high rectification ratio (2.4 × 106) was achieved by successfully coating PVA-RGO nanofibers on n-Si wafer by electrospinning method. When the electro-optical analysis of the fabricated heterojunction photodetector under visible light depending on the light intensity, ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) lights was examined in detail, it was observed that the photodetector exhibited both self-powered behavior and very high photo-response under each light sources. However, the highest optical performance was obtained under UV (365 nm) originated from PVA-RGO layer and IR (850 nm) light from both interfacial states between PVA-RGO nanofibers and Si and from Si layer. Under 365 nm UV light, the maximum performance values of R, D, ON/OFF ratio, normalized photo-dark-current ratio and external quantum efficiency (%) were obtained as 688 mA W-1, 1.15 × 1015Jones, 2.49 × 106, 8.28 × 1010W-1and 234%, respectively.

Self-powered stable high-performance UV-Vis-NIR broadband photodetector based on PVP-Cobalt@Carbon nanofibers/n-GaAs heterojunction.

The self-powered PVP-Co@C nanofibers/n-GaAs heterojunction photodetector (HJPD) was fabricated by electrospinning of the nanofibers onto GaAs. An excellent rectification ratio of 6.60 × 106was obtained fromI-Vmeasurements of the device in the dark. TheI-Vmeasurements of the fabricated device under 365 nm, 395 nm and 850 nm lights, as well asI-Vmeasurements in visible light depending on the light intensity, were performed. The HJPD demonstrated excellent photodetection performance in terms of a good responsivity of âˆ¼225 mA W-1(at -1.72 V) and at zero bias, an impressive detectivity of 6.28 × 1012Jones, and a high on/off ratio of 8.38 × 105, all at 365 nm wavelength. In addition, the maximum external quantum efficiency and NPDR values were 3495% (V = -1.72 V) and 2.60 × 1010W-1(V= 0.0 V), respectively, while the minimum NEP value was ∼10-14W.Hz-1/2for 365 nm atV= 0.V volts. The HJPD also exhibited good long-term stability in air after 30 d without any encapsulation.

Long-term efficacy, safety, and drug survival of secukinumab in patients with psoriasis in Turkey: a retrospective analysis of real-world experience.

Introduction: Secukinumab (SEC) has been shown to be highly effective and safe in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO), but data on SEC's long-term drug survival are limited. Aim: To analyse the survival rate of SEC and its predictive factors of survival, together with the drug safety and efficacy. Material and methods: Data of 268 patients who received SEC between May 2018 and April 2022 with moderate to severe psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis were analysed retrospectively. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was used to define effectiveness. Drug survival was examined using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis was used to analyse predictive factors. Results: PASI 75/90/100 responses achieved at week 16 (89.5%, 78%, and 16.2%, respectively) were well maintained at week 52 (96.3%, 90.7%, and 15.4%, respectively). The drug survival probability rates for SEC were 94.4% at 12 months, 88.4% at 24 months, 78.6% after 3 years, 52.7% after 4 years. Concomitant treatments, dose escalation and family history of psoriasis were associated with a higher risk for SEC withdrawal. Conclusions: Close monitoring may improve SEC survival in psoriasis patients who require dose escalation and concomitant drugs.

Vaccination status of COVID-19 patients followed up in the ICU in a country with heterologous vaccination policy: A multicenter national study in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-2) prevents the development of serious diseases has been shown in many studies. However, the effect of vaccination on outcomes in COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care is not clear. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study conducted in 17 intensive care unit (ICU) in Turkey between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Patients aged 18 years and older who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and followed in ICU were included in the study. Patients who have never been vaccinated and patients who have been vaccinated with a single dose were considered unvaccinated. Logistic regression models were fit for the two outcomes (28-day mortality and in-hospital mortality). RESULTS: A total of 2968 patients were included final analysis. The most of patients followed in the ICU during the study period were unvaccinated (58.5%). Vaccinated patients were older, had higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and had higher APACHE-2 scores than unvaccinated patients. Risk for 28-day mortality and in-hospital mortality was similar in across the year both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. However, risk for in-hospital mortality and 28-day mortality was higher in the unvaccinated patients in quarter 4 adjusted for gender and CCI (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.06-1.99 and OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.03-1.96, respectively) compared to the vaccinated group. CONCLUSION: Despite effective vaccination, fully vaccinated patients may be admitted to ICU because of disease severity. Unvaccinated patients were younger and had fewer comorbid conditions. Unvaccinated patients have an increased risk of 28-day mortality when adjusted for gender and CCI.

The Effect of Kangaroo Care on Paternal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: During the first interaction between the father and the infant, touch can be very important especially father-infant skin-to-skin contact. Few studies have focused on the effect of kangaroo care (KC) on paternal attachment. PURPOSE: This randomized controlled study was conducted to determine the effect of KC on paternal attachment. METHODS: A total of 90 fathers of healthy newborns, including 45 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group who met the inclusion criteria, were included randomly in the study. Data were collected using the Introductory Information Form at study admission and the Father-Infant Attachment Scale (FIAS) at 3 months of age. T test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean FIAS scores for the intervention group (I) were higher than for the control group (C) (I: 80.57 ± 13.70; C: 56.76 ± 13.23) ( P < .05). Patience and tolerance (I: 13.70 ± 1.18; C: 11.57 ± 2.30), pleasure in interaction (I: 29.50 ± 2.86; C: 17.13 ± 5.93), and love and pride (I: 37.37 ± 2.85; C: 28.06 ± 5.82) mean scores for FIAS subdimensions in the intervention group were also higher than in the control group ( P < .05). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Findings of this study demonstrate that KC has the potential to increase paternal attachment. Healthcare providers should provide discharge education for fathers on KC to increase father-infant attachment. There is a need for studies with larger samples in different cultures on the factors related to parents that affect father-infant attachment and evidence-based practices that increase attachment.

The lumbar erector spinae plane block: a cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this cadaveric study was to investigate the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in lumbar region and to elucidate the possible mechanisms of action of these injections in lumbar radicular pain by means of detecting expected dye dispersion to the neural structures. METHODS: Ultrasound-guided lumbar ESPB was performed in three formaldehyde-embalmed human cadavers. For this purpose, a 10 mL of methylene blue was injected into the fascial space between the L4 transverse process and the erector spinae muscles. T hen, the cadavers were dissected, the cephalocaudal and lateral spread of the dye was examined, and the involvement of the dorsal rami, dorsal root ganglia and ventral rami were analyzed. The distribution into the epidural space was also evaluated. RESULTS: The involvement of the dorsal rami was found to extend up to the T12 level and down to the L5 spinal nerves. Although dye dispersion was detected on the dorsal root ganglion in all specimens, it was found to be limited to one or two levels, unlike the dorsal rami. In half of the specimens, distribution to the ventral ramus and posterior epidural space was observed.

Presence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in samarella (tsamarella), a traditional dried-cured meat of Cyprus.

Dietary exposure to mycotoxins is a matter of great concern in terms of public health and regulatory bodies worldwide. Contamination of meat products with mycotoxigenic fungi and production of aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA) and other mycotoxins can occur at different points of the manufacturing steps, from farm to fork. Among all microorganisms, moulds (mycobiota) are groups of microorganisms that can contaminate dry-cured meats, so they may carry the risk of mycotoxicosis. Samarella (tsamarella in Greek) is one of Cyprus's traditional, sun-dried and salted meat products. Mycological studies on this product have not been reported, and the risk of AFs or OTA has not been studied. This point of view aimed to conduct a survey study in terms of mycotoxin risk in samarella. With this aim, samples (n = 30) were collected from all commercial brands from markets in Northern Cyprus and analysed by ELISA. According to the results of this study, 14 of 30 and 9 of 30 samples were above Quantitative Measurement Limits (LOQ) for Total AFs, and AFB1, respectively. On the other hand, no result was obtained above LOQ for OTA. It was obtained that among all detectable results for total AFs, even the min result (5.3 µg/kg) was above 4 µg/kg, defined as a critical limit for directly consumed foods. None of the AFB1 and OTA results was above the determined critical limit.

Return on investment of self-management education and home visits for children with asthma.

OBJECTIVE: Priorities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 6|18 Initiative include outpatient asthma self-management education (ASME) and home-based asthma visits (home visit) as interventions for children with poorly-controlled asthma. ASME and home visit intervention programs are currently not widely available. This project was to assess the economic sustainability of these programs for state asthma control programs reimbursed by Medicaid. METHODS: We used a simulation model based on parameters from the literature and Medicaid claims, controlling for regression to the mean. We modeled scenarios under various selection criteria based on healthcare utilization and age to forecast the return on investment (ROI) using data from New York. The resulting tool is available in Excel or Python. RESULTS: Our model projected health improvement and cost savings for all simulated interventions. Compared against home visits alone, the simulated ASME alone intervention had a higher ROI for all healthcare utilization and age scenarios. Savings were primarily highest in simulated program participants who had two or more asthma-related emergency department visits or one inpatient visit compared to those participants who had one or more asthma-related emergency department visits. Segmenting the selection criteria by age did not significantly change the results. CONCLUSIONS: This model forecasts reduced healthcare costs and improved health outcomes as a result of ASME and home visits for children with high urgent healthcare utilization (more than two emergency department visits or one inpatient hospitalization) for asthma. Utilizing specific selection criteria, state based asthma control programs can improve health and reduce healthcare costs.

Remodeling of Cornea With Isotretinoin Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the change of corneal epithelial thickness (ET) in subjects using isotretinoin with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and further to explore reflection of changes on corneal topography. METHODS: Forty eyes of 40 subjects with acne vulgaris scheduled for oral isotretinoin were included in this prospective study. Subjects were examined with RTVue-XR and Pentacam at baseline, 1th, 3rd, and 6th months of treatment, and 3rd month of isotretinoin cessation. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase was detected in each sector of ET map except inferonasal 7 to 9 mm between baseline and following visits (P<0.05, for all visits). The increase in superior (2-7 mm), inferior (2-7 mm), and maximum values in epithelium statistics and the decrease in superior (2-7 mm), inferior (2-7 mm), minimum, and maximum values in stroma statistics at follow-up visits were significant (P<0.05, for all visits). Central corneal thickness, maximum Ambrosio-relational thickness, average pachymetric-progression index at 1th, 3rd, and 6th months, and thinnest pachymetry, index of surface variance (ISV) at 3rd, and 6th months differed significantly (P<0.05, for specified visits). The regression in parameters was observed at 3rd month of isotretinoin cessation. CONCLUSIONS: Isotretinoin treatment induces epithelial thickening and stromal thinning. Remodeling of corneal layers causes statistical differences in ISV and pachymetry-related parameters of Pentacam. The pachymetry changes in cornea return to baseline at the 3rd month of discontinuation of treatment.

COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome: Pathological, radiological and clinical concordance.

Severe coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) represents viral pneumonia from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, when ARDS occurs as part of COVID-19, it has different features. The strategy of breathing support is very important in treating COVID-19 related ARDS (CARDS). Though it meets the CARDS Berlin definition, COVID-19 pneumonia is a specific disease with different phenotypes. Recently, it has been suggested that CARDS has two phenotypes, type L (Type 1 or non-ARDS) and type H (Type 2, ARDS), and these phenotypes respond differently to respiratory support treatments. In this review, after mentioning the pathophysiology and radiological relationship of CARDS, the definition and treatment approaches of two different forms of CARDS were discussed.