Detection of metastable electronic states by Penning trap mass spectrometry.

State-of-the-art optical clocks1 achieve precisions of 10-18 or better using ensembles of atoms in optical lattices2,3 or individual ions in radio-frequency traps4,5. Promising candidates for use in atomic clocks are highly charged ions6 (HCIs) and nuclear transitions7, which are largely insensitive to external perturbations and reach wavelengths beyond the optical range8 that are accessible to frequency combs9. However, insufficiently accurate atomic structure calculations hinder the identification of suitable transitions in HCIs. Here we report the observation of a long-lived metastable electronic state in an HCI by measuring the mass difference between the ground and excited states in rhenium, providing a non-destructive, direct determination of an electronic excitation energy. The result is in agreement with advanced calculations. We use the high-precision Penning trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP to measure the cyclotron frequency ratio of the ground state to the metastable state of the ion with a precision of 10-11-an improvement by a factor of ten compared with previous measurements10,11. With a lifetime of about 130 days, the potential soft-X-ray frequency reference at 4.96 × 1016 hertz (corresponding to a transition energy of 202 electronvolts) has a linewidth of only 5 × 10-8 hertz and one of the highest electronic quality factors (1024) measured experimentally so far. The low uncertainty of our method will enable searches for further soft-X-ray clock transitions8,12 in HCIs, which are required for precision studies of fundamental physics6.

Mass-Difference Measurements on Heavy Nuclides with an eV/c

First ever measurements of the ratios of free cyclotron frequencies of heavy, highly charged ions with Z>50 with relative uncertainties close to 10^{-11} are presented. Such accurate measurements have become realistic due to the construction of the novel cryogenic multi-Penning-trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP. Based on the measured frequency ratios, the mass differences of five pairs of stable xenon isotopes, ranging from ^{126}Xe to ^{134}Xe, have been determined. Moreover, the first direct measurement of an electron binding energy in a heavy highly charged ion, namely of the 37th atomic electron in xenon, with an uncertainty of a few eV is demonstrated. The obtained value agrees with the calculated one using two independent, different implementations of the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock method. PENTATRAP opens the door to future measurements of electron binding energies in highly charged heavy ions for more stringent tests of bound-state quantum electrodynamics in strong electromagnetic fields and for an investigation of the manifestation of light dark matter in isotopic chains of certain chemical elements.

g Factor of Boronlike Argon

We have measured the ground-state g factor of boronlike argon ^{40}Ar^{13+} with a fractional uncertainty of 1.4×10^{-9} with a single ion in the newly developed Alphatrap double Penning-trap setup. The value of g=0.663 648 455 32(93) obtained here is in agreement with our theoretical prediction of 0.663 648 12(58). The latter is obtained accounting for quantum electrodynamics, electron correlation, and nuclear effects within the state-of-the-art theoretical methods. Our experimental result distinguishes between existing predictions that are in disagreement, and lays the foundations for an independent determination of the fine-structure constant.

The relationship between teamwork attitudes and caring behaviors among nurses working in surgical clinics: A correlational descriptive study.

AIM: This study was planned and carried out to determine how teamwork attitudes of nurses working in surgical clinics affect their caring behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted as a relational descriptive study. The research population consisted of 126 nurses working in the surgical clinics of a state hospital. A total of 116 nurses who agreed to participate in the study were admitted to the study. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Question Form, the Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire (TAQ), and the Caring Behaviors Inventory-24 (CBI-24). Data were analyzed using counts, percentage distributions, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, Games-Howell post hoc test, and Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: The nurses participating in the study were found to have a mean score of 112.11 ± 17.86 for the TAQ and a mean score of 4.95 ± 0.54 for the CBI. There was a statistically positive correlation between the nurses' teamwork attitudes and caring behaviors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be said that the teamwork attitudes of the nurses had a positive effect on their caring behaviors. It may be suggested to plan relevant research studies examining especially observational behavioral assessments.

Identification of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery using microdialysis of the peritoneal cavity.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL) may lead to better outcome. AL may be preceded by change in local metabolism and local ischaemia. Microdialysis of the peritoneal cavity is able to measure these changes in real-time and is minimally invasive. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to compare values of intraperitoneal microdialysis in patients with AL to patients without AL after open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery. METHODS: Twenty-four patients underwent surgery for left-sided, sigmoid and rectal carcinoma with creation of an anastomosis. Intraoperatively a juxta-anastomotical intraperitoneal and subcutaneous microdialysis catheter was placed. The levels of lactate, pyruvate, glucose and glycerol in the dialysate were measured every 4 h during the first 5 post-operative days, and mean values and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS: Mortality was 0 % and morbidity 38 %. In 3 patients (17 %), AL occurred. In patients with AL, post-operative peritoneal lactate level was 3.2 mmol/l (standard deviation (SD) 0.9) for patients without AL, compared to 4.4 mmol/l (SD 1.5) in case of AL (p = 0.03 for AUC). Intraperitoneal glucose levels were 8.1 mmol/l (SD 1.3), compared to 7.8 mmol/l (SD 2.2) in the complicated course (ns for AUC). Mean intraperitoneal lactate/pyruvate-ratio was 19.2 (SD 3) after colorectal surgery without AL compared to 25 (SD 4.7) in case of AL (non-significant (ns) for AUC). No significant differences were observed between patients who underwent laparoscopic resection and those who underwent open resection. CONCLUSIONS: Anastomotic leakage was preceded by a significantly higher AUC and mean value of lactate levels during the first 5 post-operative days. To identify cut-off values for clinical use, pooling of data is necessary.

Adherence to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and length of stay after colonic resection.

AIM: The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme is a multimodal approach to improve peri-operative care in colon surgery. The aim of this study was to report on the adherence to and outcomes of ERAS in the first years after implementation. METHOD: Data of patients undergoing elective colon resections for malignancy in 2006 until 2010 were compared with patients receiving conventional care in 2005. Retrospective analysis was performed including length of stay (LOS), protocol adherence and complications. The predictive values of ERAS items and baseline characteristics on LOS and complications were analysed using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Length of stay (LOS) was significantly shorter in 2006 and 2007 (P ≤ 0.009 and P ≤ 0.004) but not in 2008 and 2009. The mean adherence rate to the ERAS items was 84.1% in 2006 and 2007 and 72.4% in 2008 and 2009 (P < 0.001). In 2005, 2008 and 2009 LOS was significantly shorter for laparoscopically operated patients than for patients with open resections (P < 0.002, P < 0.001 and P < 0.004 respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that age, laparoscopic surgery, removal of nasogastric tube before extubation, mobilization within 24 h after surgery, starting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at day 1 and removal of thoracic epidural analgesia at day 2 were independent predictors of LOS. CONCLUSION: Strict adherence to the ERAS protocol was associated with reduced LOS and improved outcome in elective colon surgery for malignancy. These benefits were lost when protocol adherence was lower. Embedding the ERAS protocol into an organization and repetitive education are vital to sustain its beneficial effects on LOS and outcome.

Comparison of the efficacy of the cardiac hypothermia and normothermia to myocardial damage in coronary artery bypass graft surgery with systemic normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

AIM: The aim of our research is to investigate the cardiac damage formed by either local cardiac hypothermia or cardiac normothermia technique in patients who undergone isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: The total of 40 patients who underwent isolated CABG operation under normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were studied. Patients were randomly divided into two groups as cardiac hypothermia and cardiac normothermia. Myocardial temperature was measured from the interventricular septum before aortic cross-clamp (ACC) (baseline), the ACC 20th minutes (ischemia) and after 20 minutes removal of the ACC (reperfusion). The coronary sinus blood samples were simultaneously obtained from the retrograde cardioplegia cannula while myocardial temperature was being measured. Complement component 3 (C3), complement component 4 (C4), troponin I and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was measured from the coronary sinus blood samples. RESULTS: Myocardial temperature was between 18-28 °C (deep hypothermia) during ACC in group 1. Myocardial temperature was over 34 °C (normothermia) during ACC in group 2. TNF-α values of group 1 for ischemia and reperfusion were higher than group 2, and it was found statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Myocardial damage was less than in normothermia group according to hypothermia group. The results show that ice-cold blood cardioplegia and local ice treatment of the heart during CPB seems to harm the heart more than warm blood cardioplegia.

The association of serum prolidase activity with developmental dysplasia of the hip.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum prolidase activity in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Prolidase enzyme activity was measured spectrophotometrically to pointing out the collagen metabolism. The prolidase activity in patients with DDH was significantly higher than that in the control group (p = 0.002). Furthermore, there was positive correlation between prolidase activity and dysplasia level. Increased serum prolidase activity may have played a role in the presence of DDH. We therefore hypothesized that the increased prolidase activity related to collagen turnover may be associated with etiopathogenesis and/or the progression of the disease.

In vitro effects of lidocaine hydrochloride on coronary artery bypass grafts.

AIM: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most common procedures performed to improve blood supply to myocardium. The characteristics of grafts, mechanical stress and pharmacological agents have substantial influence on the short and long term graft patency. Lidocaine is among the most frequently used antiarrhythmic agents perioperatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of lidocaine on internal mammarian artery (IMA), radial artery (RA) and saphenous vein (SV) grafts. METHODS: Using standard tissue bath techniques, responses to increasing concentrations of lidocaine hydrochloride were obtained, in segments of IMA, RA and SV grafts. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study with a total number of 48 grafts (16 for IMA, RA and SV grafts each). In vitro lidocaine concentrations between 10(-9)M and 10(-3.5)M were studied to represent therapeutic plasma concentration of 1.5-5 mcg/mL. RESULTS: In IMA and RA grafts, lidocaine hydrochloride caused vasodilatation (40.5±1.9% and 39.1±2.6 % respectively) at concentrations between 10(-9) to 10(-7.5) M while causing a dose dependent vasoconstriction response at concentrations above 10(-7.5) M. In SV graft samples, lidocain hydrochloride caused vasodilatation (24.4±1.9 %) at concentrations between 10(-9) to 10(-7) M while causing dose dependent vasoconstriction at concentrations above 10(-7) M. For vasoconstriction effect, mean±SD values for E(max) were calculated as: 120.1±6.6% in IMA, 83.35±5.06% in RA, and 154.0±13.8% in SV. The vasoconstriction in the SV samples was higher than in the RA and IMA. The mean ±SD LogEC(50) values were -5.15±0.27, -5.76±0.11 and -5.56±0.19 for SV, IMA and RA grafts respectively.) There was a statiscally significant differences in the Log EC(50) values between SV, IMA and RA (P<0.005) CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our study, we conclude that, increasing doses of lidocaine in the perioperative period may cause vasospasm in IMA, RA and SV grafts. Thus, avoiding high doses may have a role in improving perioperative and long term mortality.

Demographics and outcome of metatarsal fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Although metatarsal fractures are amongst the most common injuries of the foot, this is the first study on outcome after metatarsal fractures. METHOD: All consecutive patients with metatarsal fractures treated between January 2006 and September 2008 were re-evaluated. Patients aged 16 to 75 were sent a questionnaire consisting of the American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Society midfoot score and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Four-hundred metatarsal fractures were identified in 322 patients. The fifth metatarsal was involved in more than 50% of patients. Most fractures were caused by an inversion injury or fall from height (75%). Out of 247 patients between 16 and 75 years, a total of 166 patients (67.2%) returned the questionnaire with a median follow-up of 33 months. All patients were treated conservatively. The median AOFAS score was 100 points (P(25)-P(75), 87-100), the median VAS was 9 points (P(25)-P(75), 8-10). The AOFAS and VAS scores correlated negatively with the body mass index (BMI) (R (s) = -0.409 and -0.305; p < 0.001). Patients with diabetes reported lower VAS (p = 0.010) and AOFAS scores (p = 0.020). Females reported a lower AOFAS score (p = 0.034). An increase in dislocation (>2 mm) resulted in a decrease in VAS score (p = 0.017). Multivariable analysis indicated that the VAS score was significantly affected by BMI and dislocation >2 mm (p = 0.013). The AOFAS score was affected by BMI (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: This is the first investigation using two validated outcome scoring systems to determine functional outcome in metatarsal fractures. Overall outcome in metatarsal fractures is high, as almost all fractures healed without complaints at 33 months. Outcome is dependent on BMI, diabetes, gender, and dislocation at the fracture site.

Intracranial internal carotid artery calcifications: association with vascular risk factors and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atherosclerotic calcifications are present not only in the extracranial carotid bifurcation but also in the intracranial part of the internal carotid artery. We assessed the association between intracranial internal carotid artery calcifications and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and the association between calcifications and the presence of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing multidetector CT (MDCT) angiography of the carotid arteries for assessment of stenosis degree were included in the study. A semiautomatic custom-made system to quantify calcifications was developed. The associations between the volume of calcifications and cardiovascular risk factors and the type of ischemic cerebrovascular symptoms were assessed with logistic regression. RESULTS: MDCT angiography was performed in 406 patients (age, 62 +/- 14 years; 242 men). Men had a significantly higher calcification volume (66 mm(3)) than women (33 mm(3)). Calcification volume was positively associated with age in both men and women. Smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and a history of cardiac disease were independently related to the presence of calcifications. A history of cardiac disease and ischemic cerebrovascular disease were independently related to the volume of calcifications. No association was found between calcifications and the presence or type of ischemic cerebrovascular disease in the vascular territory of the intracranial internal carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS: Calcifications were associated with higher age and male gender. The presence and volume of calcifications were independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Calcifications were not related to the presence or type of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Comparative costs of family planning services and hospital-based maternity care in Turkey.

The costs of running a recently established family planning program in the Turkish social security system were measured and compared with the costs of providing the medical services and nonmedical benefits for pregnant women. The undiscounted cost savings from averting pregnancy were estimated to exceed the program's recurrent costs by 17.6 to 1. Cost savings represent only 1 percent of all of the system's medical expenditures, but the family planning program is in an early stage, and potential savings could influence management decisionmaking regarding investments in specialized maternity hospitals.

PIP: Turkey's Ministry of Health operates hospitals and dispensaries in urban and rural areas to serve the majority of the general population. The SSK/SEATS project, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), was launched in Turkey in July 1992 to provide technical and financial support to enable the Social Insurance Institute (SSK) to provide quality family planning services throughout its existing network of health facilities. By early 1994, family planning services were offered in 56 SSK hospitals, and an estimated 91,000 couples were receiving services. As the time approached for USAID to transfer the responsibility for purchasing family planning commodities to SSK, the SSK directorate compared the costs of operating extended family planning services in SSK facilities with the costs of providing the medical services and nonmedical benefits for the would be pregnant women. The undiscounted cost savings from averting pregnancy were estimated to exceed the program's recurrent costs by 17.6 to 1.