Association Between Articular Eminence Structure and Joint Spaces in Temporomandibular Joints with Anterior Disc Displacement.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The association among the joint spaces, articular eminence morphology, and disc displacement is not well documented in the literature. This study aims to evaluate and compare the joint spaces and the articular eminence structure (eminence height [Eh] and inclination [Ei]) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) with anterior disc displacements and joints with normal disc position. METHODS: The study groups consisted of 75 TMJs of 39 patients. The disc status of TMJs was diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging, and the measurements were performed on CBCT. Three groups, that is, normal disc position (NDP) group, anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDWR) group, and anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWoR) group, were established. Anterior, superior, posterior joint spaces (AJS, SJS, and PJS, respectively), articular Eh, and articular Ei were measured. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22 was used for statistical analysis. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normality of data. Intergroup comparisons of categorical variables were assessed with Fisher-Freeman-Halton test. For comparison of continuous variables parameters, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Statistical significance level was determined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were not found in intergroup comparisons for PJS. However, the difference between groups was found to be significant for AJS, SJS, Eh, and Ei. Intergroup comparisons were performed for these parameters. No significant difference was found between the NDP group and the ADDWR group for AJS, SJS, Eh, and EI. The mean AJS, SJS, Eh, and Ei values in ADDWoR were found to be significantly lower compared to the corresponding values in both NDP and ADDWR groups. CONCLUSION: Decreased AJS and SJS when TMJ is evaluated with CBCT may be an indicator of ADDWoR. Authors suggest that narrowed articular Ei and reduced articular Eh can be one of the predisposing factors for anterior disc displacement.

Dental caries severity and related factors of 1307 Turkish boarding school children.

BACKGROUND: In Turkey, dental caries is a disease which still has been considering as a real public health problem. School children of lower socioeconomic status had greater caries experience and higher caries severity in both primary and permanent dentitions. AIMS: To determine the frequency of dental caries and its related factors among boarding school children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. We examined 1307 boarding school children aged 7-14 for caries status and its related factors. Data on dental health and its related factors were obtained from the archive of Ege Oral Health and Dentistry Association. Comparisons of caries severity (as decayed/missing/filled primary teeth, dmft/decayed/missing/filled permanent teeth, DMFT and significant caries index,) and examination years were made. Caries trend were also identified. Correlations between caries severity and its related factors were also performed. SPSS 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: DMFT and SiC for DMFT of all children were 2.35 and 5.04, respectively. 70-year-old had the highest dmft, whereas 14-year-olds had the highest DMFT. No correlation was found between decreased dmft and tooth brushing frequency, regular dental check-ups, and oral hygiene status. There was a weak correlation between decreased DMFT and increased number of dental visits in 2008 and 2009. In children received more than one examination and/or treatment (n = 269), the SiC index for dmft was 10.52 in 2002. In 2004, the index decreased to 3.57. The SiC for DMFT was 4.09 in 2002 and 2004. No correlation was identified between decreased dmft and DMFT and tooth brushing frequency, regular dental check-ups, and oral hygiene status both for the years of 2002 and 2004. The mean dmft of 32 children had prophylaxis for dental caries in 2002 was significantly decreased in 2004. CONCLUSION: Caries prevalence and severity of boarding school children were high even they were followed-up regularly.

Hydrogen peroxide signaling modulates neuronal differentiation via microglial polarization and Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated within the cell and serve as second messengers in fundamental cellular processes under physiologic conditions. Although the deleterious effects of high-level ROS associated with oxidative stress are well established, it is unclear how the developing brain reacts to redox changes. Our aim is to investigate how redox alteration affects neurogenesis and the mechanism that underlies it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated in vivo microglial polarization and neurogenesis in zebrafish after hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) incubation. To quantify intracellular H2O2 levels in vivo, a transgenic zebrafish line that expresses Hyper and termed Tg(actb2:hyper3)ka8 was used. Then, in vitro studies with N9 microglial cells, 3-dimensional neural stem cell (NSC)-microglia coculture, and conditioned medium experiments are carried out to comprehend the mechanism underlying the changes in neurogenesis upon redox modulation. RESULTS: In zebrafish, exposure to H2O2 altered embryonic neurogenesis, induced M1 polarization in microglia, and triggered the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. N9 microglial cell culture experiments revealed that exposure to H2O2 resulted in M1 polarization in microglial cells, and this polarization was mediated by the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Redox modulation of microglia interfered with NSC differentiation in coculture experiments. Neuronal differentiation was significantly higher in NSCs cocultured with H2O2-treated microglia when compared to control microglia. Wnt inhibition prevented the effects of H2O2-treated microglia on NSCs. No significant alterations were observed in conditioned medium experiments. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings point to a robust interplay between microglia and neural progenitors influenced by the redox state. Intracellular H2O2 levels can interfere with neurogenesis by altering the phenotypic state of the microglia via the Wnt/ß-catenin system.

Expression of p16 in serous ovarian neoplasms.

PURPOSE: We aimed to examine p16 protein expression in ovarian serous neoplasms along with normal ovarian tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: P16 expression was immunhistochemically evaluated in 86 ovarian serous neoplasms (21 cystadenomas, 20 borderline tumors and 45 carcinomas) and 21 non-neoplastic ovarian tissue. The results were also compared with histopathological grade in serous adenocarcinomas. RESULTS: P16 expression rates for benign, borderline ovarian tumors and ovarian cancer were 14.2%, 85% and 86.6%, respectively. It was significantly higher in carcinomas (p < 0.001) and borderline tumors (p < 0.001) compared to cystadenomas. No immunoreactivity was found in the non-neoplastic ovarian surface epithelial cells. The percentage of p16 expression did not change significantly with histological grade in carcinomas. CONCLUSION: P16 expression is strong and widespread involving most tumor cells in serous papillary ovarian carcinomas, and is probably an early event.

Fournier's gangrene: an analysis of 80 patients and a novel scoring system.

BACKGROUND: To create a better scoring system for outcome prediction for patients with Fournier's gangrene in order to design more appropriate and feasible management strategies. METHODS: Using logistic regression, the medical records of 80 patients who underwent surgery for Fournier's gangrene in the last 10 years were reviewed using a prospectively maintained database, and a novel scoring system was adopted combining this data with the Fournier's gangrene severity index (FGSI). The new system consists of a physiological score, an age score, and an extent of gangrene score. RESULTS: The mortality rate of the 80 patients was 21%. Using the new scoring system (UFGSI), at a threshold value of 9, there was a 94% probability of death with a score greater than 9 and an 81% probability of survival with a score of 9 or less (P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis concluded that the new scoring system was more powerful than the FGSI (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The power of the novel scoring system introduced in this study proves that in patients with Fournier's gangrene, the extent of the gangrene as well as the patient's age and physiological status have a significant effect on the outcome.

A study on the spectral, microstructural, and magnetic properties of Eu-Nd double-substituted Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19 hexaferrites synthesized by an ultrasonic-assisted approach.

In this study, an examination on the spectral, microstructural, and magnetic characteristics of Eu-Nd double-substituted Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19 hexaferrites (Ba0.5Sr0.5NdxEuxFe12-2xO19 (x = 0.00-0.05) HFs) fabricated by an ultrasonic-assisted approach has been presented. An UZ SONOPULS HD 2070 ultrasonic homogenizer with frequency of 20 kHz and power of 70 W was used. The chemical bonding, structure and the morphology of the products were evaluated by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, XRD (X-ray diffraction), scanning and transmission electron microscopy and techniques. The textural properties of the prepared nanomaterials were examined by using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The magnetic properties were studied using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature (RT) and low temperature 10 K. The magnitudes of various magnetic parameters including Ms (saturation magnetization), Mr (remanence) and Hc (coercivity) were estimated and evaluated. The M-H loops revealed the hard ferrimagnetic nature for all products at both temperatures. The Ms and Mr values showed a decreasing tendency with increasing degree of Eu3+ and Nd3+ substitutions whereas Hc values displayed an increasing trend. At RT, Ms, Mr and Hc values lie in the ranges of 63.0-68.8 emu·g-1, 24.6-39.2 emu·g-1 and 2252.4-2782.1 Oe, respectively. At 10 K, the values of Ms, Mr and Hc lie between 87.5-97.1 emu·g-1, 33.5-40.1 emu·g-1 and 2060.6-2417.2 Oe, respectively. The observed magnetic properties make the prepared products promising candidates to be applied in the recording media.

Sonochemical synthesis of Dy3+ substituted Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2-xO4 nanoparticles: Structural, magnetic and optical characterizations.

Mn0.5Zn0.5DyxFe2-xO4 (x ≤ 0.03) nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by using Ultrasonic irradiation using UZ SONOPULS HD 2070 ultrasonic homogenizer (frequency of 20 kHz and power of 70 W). Structural and morphological analyses were performed via XRD (X-ray powder diffractometer), TEM (Transmission electron microscopy) and SEM (Scanning electron microscopy). XRD presented the formation of Mn-Zn ferrite with average crystal size in 11 to 18 nm range. Direct optical energy band gaps (Eg) were specified applying diffuse reflectance investigations. Eg values are in a small band range of 1.61-1.67 eV. Low (10 K) and room temperature VSM data were recorded applying ±90 kOe external magnetic field. All samples exhibit superparamagnetic properties at RT. Magnetization parameters significantly increase due to coordination of Dy3+ rare earth ions. Magnetic moment per molecule (nB) increases from 0.952 µB to 1.137 µB and from 2.312 µB to 2.547 µB at RT and at 10 K data respectively. 10 K coercivity (Hc) values decrease from 260 Oe to 43 Oe. All samples have squareness ratios (SQR) of 0.231-0.400 range assigning the multi-domain structure at 10 K. ZFC-FC magnetization curves that were registered for two selected samples exhibit a divergence and a sharp drop below their Tpeak positions. This event is typically correlated to the collective freezing of system and spin-glass-like phase. Real part AC susceptibility data slightly shift toward high temperature regions with increasing frequencies. Critical Slowing Down (CSD) model explained the spin dynamics of interacting NPs consistently with literature and proved the spin-glass behavior of samples at low temperatures.

The investigation of the efficacy of insulin glargine on glycemic control when combined with either repaglinide or acarbose in obese Type 2 diabetic patients.

Combinations of insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) are often prescribed instead of insulin alone. In this study, the effects of insulin glargine (IG) in combination with repaglinide or acarbose on glycemic parameters were investigated. Obese Type 2 diabetic patients with fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels >or= 7.7 mmol/l [corrected] and hemoglobin glycated (A1C) >or=9% under maximal OAD combination therapy were enrolled. Previous therapies were discontinued, and patients were randomized into 2 groups. The combinations of IG and repaglinide were administered to group 1, and of IG and acarbose to group 2 for 13 weeks. Twenty patients in group 1 and 18 patients in group 2 completed the study. A1C levels were significantly decreased from 10.9+/-1.4% to 7.7+/-1.1% in group 1 and 11.0+/-1.4% to 8.1+/-1.4% in group 2. FBG levels were significantly decreased from 11.9+/-2.7 to 7.1+/-2.3 mmol/l in group 1 and 11.1+/-2.5 to 6.8+/-1.4 mmol/l in group 2. Post-prandial glucose levels were significantly decreased from 15.3+/-3.8 to 10.3+/-3.0 mmol/l in group 1 and 14.0+/-3.1 to 8.9+/-2.2 mmol/l in group 2. Intergroup comparisons indicated no significant differences. More weight gain was detected in group 1, compared to the baseline. Symptomatic hypoglycemia incidence was similar in both groups. Severe hypoglycemic attacks were seen in two patients in group 1. Flatulence incidence was higher in acarbose group. Conclusively, repaglinide and acarbose were equally effective when combined with IG for obese Type 2 diabetic patients controlled inadequately with OAD alone. Furthermore, acarbose seems to have advantages over repaglinide concerning weight gain and severe hypoglycemic attacks.

The Conductivity and Dielectric Properties of Neobium Substituted Sr-Hexaferrites.

The Nb3+ ion substituted Sr hexaferrites (SrNbxFe12-xO19 (x = 0.00-0.08) hexaferrites (HFs)) were fabricated via a citrate-assisted sol-gel approach. X-ray powder diffractometer analysis affirmed the pureness of all products. The crystallite sizes of the products which were estimated from Scherrer equation were in the 36-40 nm range. The chemical component of the samples was proved by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Elemental mapping. The hexagonal morphology of all products was confirmed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). The electrical conduction mechanisms and dielectric properties of a variety of Nb3+ions-substituted SrNbxFe12-xO19 HFs were investigated by a complex impedance system. Dielectric parameters such as conductivity, dielectric constant, dielectric loss, dielectric tangent loss and complex modulus, were studied at temperatures up to 120 °C in a frequency range varying from 1.0 Hz to 3.0 MHz for several Nb ratios. The frequency dependence of the conductivity was found to comply with the power law with diverse exponents at all frequencies studied here. Subsequently, incremental tendencies in dc conductivity with temperature indicate that the substituted Sr-HFs leads to a semiconductor-semimetal like behavior. This could be attributable to a feature of conduction mechanism which is based on the tunneling processes. Additionally, the dielectric dispersion pattern was also explained by Maxwell-Wagner polarization in accordance with the Koop's phenomenological theory.

Structural, magnetic, optical properties and cation distribution of nanosized Co0.7Zn0.3TmxFe2-xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.04) spinel ferrites synthesized by ultrasonic irradiation.

This study expressed the influence of Tm substitution on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of Co-Zn spinel ferrites (Co0.7Zn0.3TmxFe2-xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.04)). The different compositions were synthesized by sonochemical method using Qsonica ultrasonic homogenizer, frequency: 20 kHz and power: 70 W for 60 min. XRD patterns proved the presence of single-phase spinel ferrites with crystallites size in the 8-10 nm range. Cation distribution approved the occupancy of octahedral (B) site by Tm. The morphology and the elements stoichiometry are obtainable through FE-SEM, EDX and elemental mapping. Optical band gap (Eg) values were estimated via DR % (percent diffuse reflectance) investigations and Kubelka-Munk theory. Tauc plots revealed that direct Eg values are ranging between 1.49 and 1.68 eV. The analyses of magnetization versus magnetic field, M(H), were performed. The following magnetic parameters like saturation magnetization Ms, squareness ratio (SQR = Mr/Ms), magnetic moment nB, coercivity Hc and remanence Mr have been evaluated. M(H) curves revealed the superparamagnetic (SP) at RT and ferromagnetic property at 10 K. It was showed that the Tm3+ substitutions significantly affect the magnetic properties of host spinel ferrites. An increasing trend in the Ms, Mr, Hc, and nB values was noticed for lower Tm3+ substitution content.

Structural, magnetic, optical properties and cation distribution of nanosized Ni0.3Cu0.3Zn0.4TmxFe2-xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) spinel ferrites synthesized by ultrasound irradiation.

In this study, Tm3+ ion substituted NiCuZn nanospinel ferrites, Ni0.3Cu0.3Zn0.4TmxFe2-xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10), have been synthesized sonochemically. The structural, spectroscopic, morphological, optic and magnetic investigation of the samples were done by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffused reflectance (%DR) spectrophotometry, transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM and SEM) along with EDX, Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), respectively. The purity of prepared products were confirmed via XRD, FT-IR, EDX and elemental mapping analyses. The analyses of magnetization versus M(H) (applied magnetic field) were performed at 300 and 10 K. The following magnetic parameters like Ms (saturation magnetization), SQR = Mr/Ms (squareness ratio), nB(magnetic moment), Hc (coercivity) and Mr (remanence) have been discussed. M(H) loops revealed superparamagnetic property at RT and soft ferromagnetic nature at 10 K. It is showed that the Tm3+ substitutions significantly affect the magnetizations data. A decreasing trend in the Ms, Hc, Mr, and nB values was detected with Tm3+ substitution.

Magnetic Attributes of NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles: Influence of Dysprosium Ions (Dy3+) Substitution.

This paper reports the influence of dysprosium ion (Dy3+) substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of NiDyxFe2-xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) nanoparticles (NPs) prepared using a hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized NPs were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM, and TEM) analyses. 57Fe Mössbauer spectra were recorded to determine the Dy3+ content dependent variation in the line width, isomer shift, quadrupole splitting, and hyperfine magnetic fields. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of the prepared NPs were also investigated by zero-field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) magnetizations and AC susceptibility measurements. The MZFC (T) results showed a blocking temperature (TB). Below TB, the products behave as ferromagnetic (FM) and act superparamagnetic (SPM) above TB. The MFC (T) curves indicated the existence of super-spin glass (SSG) behavior below Ts (spin-glass freezing temperature). The AC susceptibility measurements confirmed the existence of the two transition temperatures (i.e., TB and Ts). Numerous models, e.g., Neel-Arrhenius (N-A), Vogel-Fulcher (V-F), and critical slowing down (CSD), were used to investigate the dynamics of the systems. It was found that the Dy substitution enhanced the magnetic interactions.

Sonochemical synthesis of Eu3+ substituted CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and their structural, optical and magnetic properties.

Magnetic, optic and microstructural properties of ultrasonically synthesized CoEuxFe2-xO4 (x ≤ 0.1) nanoferrites (NFs) have been examined in this study. After sonochemical synthesis, XRD and FT-IR analyses confirmed the purity, the structure (cubic spinel structure and Fd3m space group) and the spectral properties of the spinel ferrite samples. The spherical morphology and chemical compositions of the products were observed via transmission and scanning electron microscopes along with EDX and elemental mapping. Percent diffuse reflectance (%DR) was used for optical investigation. Optical band gaps (Eg) were estimated utilizing Kubelka-Munk theory and Tauc equation. Eg values are in a narrow band of 1.34 to 1.44 eV. The magnetic parameters like Ms (saturation magnetization), SQR = Mr/Ms (squareness ratio), nB (magnetic moment), Hc (coercivity) and Mr (remanence) have been evaluated by analyzing measurements of magnetization versus magnetic field performed at room (RT; T = 300 K) and low (T = 10 K) temperatures. It is showed that the different produced CoEuxFe2-xO4 (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) nanospinel ferrites present superparamagnetic (SPM) nature at RT. At low temperature, the various produced CoEuxFe2-xO4 (x ≤ 0.08) nanospinel ferrites display ferrimagnetic (FM) nature. With exception, the x = 0.10 sample exhibit SPM behavior at T = 10 K. It is noticed that the Eu3+ substitutions alter in a significant way on the magnetic data. A decreasing trend in the Ms, Mr and nB values was noted with Eu3+ substitutions.

Frequency of atopy and allergic disorders among adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus in the southern Marmara region of Turkey.

AIM: Autoimmune disorders are considered to be associated with a Th1 immune response whereas allergic diseases with a Th2 response. Studies mainly performed on children revealed conflicting results regarding the association of atopy/allergic disease and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of allergic diseases in adult Type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS: Eighty-nine Type 1 diabetic patients and 64 controls were enrolled into the study. Skin-prick test and European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire were performed on all cases. Patients who gave at least one positive answer to questions about asthma in the questionnaire underwent pulmonary function test and methacholine challenge test. RESULTS: Patients' mean age were similar in diabetic patients and controls (28.2+/-8.9 and 28.1+/-5.2 yr; respectively). In skin-prick test, the rate of positive response to at least one allergen was not significantly different in diabetes (29.2%) and in the control group (31.3%). In European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire, diabetic patients waked up by an attack of cough more than controls did. The rate of physician-diagnosed asthma was similar in both groups. There was no difference between the 2 groups based on the answers of other questions about asthma and other allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, eczema, and drug allergy. CONCLUSION: We found that atopy frequencies were similar in an adult population of Type 1 diabetic patients and controls. Although asthmatic symptom prevalence is increased in diabetic patients, the incidence of current asthma was similar in both groups.

Nm23 expression in node-positive and node-negative endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships between the expression of protein Nm23 and surgical stage, histologic grade, histopathologic findings, and survival in women with endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: 19 patients with lymph node involvement were matched with 24 patients without lymph node involvement and the best paraffin-embedded blocks were selected for Nm23 immunohistochemical staining. The slides were evaluated semiquantitatively according to their degree of cytoplasmic staining. Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether there was a relationship between Nm23 expression and surgical stage, histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, lymph node metastasis, and/or lymphovascular space involvement. Survival analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Slides from 15 patients (79%) with lymph node involvement and 22 patients (88%) without lymph node involvement were found to be positive for Nm23 (P=0.01). No significant relations were observed between Nm23 expression and surgical stage, histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, or lymphovascular space involvement. Nm23 expression was found to be significantly related to lower rates of lymph node metastasis and longer survival (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Elevated Nm23 expression is related to lower rates of lymph node metastasis and longer survival.

Microincisional cataract surgery (MICS) with pulse and burst modes.

PURPOSE: To compare the amount of ultrasound (US) energy and balanced solution (BS) required for burst mode and pulse mode during bimanual phacoemulsification surgery. METHODS: One hundred cases were divided into two groups (the pulse mode Group 1 [50 eyes], the burst mode Group 2 [50 eyes]). One surgeon (M.B.) performed phaco notemulsification procedures using topical anesthesia with the AMO Sovereign in all patients. The technique was based on the nuclear hardness and surgeon's criteria and performed bimanually. The surgery time, total ultrasound time (UST) and effective US power (USP), and used balanced solution (BS) were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: The mean surgery time, mean UST, and mean used BS volume were not statistically different in both groups (p>0.05). The mean EPT was statistically highly different in both groups (p>0.001). There was a slight tendency toward more surgery time in Group 2 than in Group 1, although the difference was not significant (p=0.146). Statistically significant higher results (Group 1: r=0,889, p<0.001, and Group 2: r=0,834, p<0.001) were seen in Group 1 when both groups were evaluated for the surgery time and used BS volume. When UST and used BS volume were evaluated in Groups 1 and 2, significant relation was seen in both but the correlation is statistically higher in Group 1 (Group 1: r=0,765, p<0.001, and Group 2: r=0,544, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The very low energy modes with the WhiteStar technology are suitable for bimanual cataract surgery.

The correlation between Doppler US measurement of hepatic arterial flow and the MELD score in patients with chronic liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and hepatic arterial hemodynamic parameters measured via Doppler US. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Etiologic causes and hepatic artery hemodynamic parameters of 121 patients with chronic liver parenchymal disease were compared with MELD scores.  Doppler ultrasonography (US) was used to assess flow velocity, pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) in the hepatic artery (HA). Each patient's MELD scores were calculated at the time of Doppler ultrasound performed. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference between MELD score and hepatic artery RI value (p < 0.001, r = 0.616). This difference was statistically more significant in the group which consisted of multiple etiologic causes (p < 0.001, r = 0.837). CONCLUSIONS: We found significant relation between MELD score and hepatic artery RI measurements in patients with chronic liver parenchymal disease.

Comparison of the serum erythropoietin levels in chemotherapy-naive and cisplatin-treated cancer patients.

There are conflicting data about the effects of cisplatin on erythropoietin (EPO) response to anemia. Aim of our study was to investigate whether endogenous EPO response to anemia in cisplatin treated patients was insufficient in comparison to the anemic chemotherapy-naive cancer patients and non cancer patients with iron deficiency anemia. Patients who had hemoglobin (Hb) levels of less than 110 g/l were included in the study. Fifteen chemotherapy- naive cancer patients were enrolled in Group A. Group B consisted of 15 patients who had been treated with three cycles of cisplatin chemotherapy and then became anemic and in Group C were included 15 patients who had iron deficiency anemia, without any malignancy. The mean Hb values were not different between all groups (102.8+/-39.8 g/l, 103.1+/-2.5 g/l and 99.3+/-3.6 g/l in Group A, Group B and Group C, respectively). However, EPO levels were found to be significantly lower in Group A and Group B than Group C (29.63+/-9.09 mU/ml, 20.87+/-2.43 mU/ml and 85.38+/-25.72 mU/ml, respectively; p=0.017 Group A vs. Group C, p=0.005 Group B vs. Group C). No significant difference was found between Group A and B (p=0.917). Opposite the iron deficiency anemia, cancer anemia is associated with an inadequate EPO response to anemia and administration of cisplatin does not lead to it further deterioration.

Survival analysis of the factors affecting in mortality in injured patients requiring dialysis due to acute renal failure during the Marmara earthquake: survivors vs non-survivors.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed medical records of dialyzed patients admitted to our hospital after the Marmara earthquake and evaluated the factors affecting mortality in survivors and non-survivors according to the survival times. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Crush syndrome (CS) was diagnosed in 110 patients. Dialysis treatment was initiated in 60 patients; 21 of all died. The patients were divided into 2 groups which consisted of 39 survivors (Group A, 25 male, 14 female, mean age: 31 +/- 2.2 years) and 21 non-survivors (Group B, 9 male, 12 female, mean age: 27 +/- 3.0 years). Victims treated by any form of renal replacement therapy, including daily or intermittant hemodialysis and/or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. Clinical and laboratory findings were recorded regularly. Statistical analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier method, log rank test and Cox regression analysis for the survival functions. RESULTS: APACHE II scores were 13.5 +/- 0.5 for Group A and 13 +/- 0.9 for Group B. Dialysis support was started to patients in Group A in a mean period of 2.8 +/- 0.2 days and in Group B in a mean period of 3.7 +/- 0.6 days after the earthquake (p > 0.05). The most frequent site of trauma was lower extremity (61.5%) and upper + lower extremities (23%) in Group A, and lower extremity (38.1%) and trunk + lower extremity (23.8%) in Group B. The frequencies of abdominal trauma, pelvic fracture and thoracic trauma in Group B were 23.8%, 19% and 14.2%, respectively. Multiple trauma was more frequent in Group B than in Group A (42.8% vs 2.5%). The rates of fasciotomy, amputation and surgery were similar in both groups. The frequency of sepsis was higher in non-survivors. In our center, the overall mortality rate was 8%, mortality rate in CS was 21% and in dialyzed patients it was 35%. Mortality was mainly associated with sepsis. Survival periods (52.3 +/- 4.0 days) in Group A were longer than in Group B (17.3 +/- 2.5 days). With Cox regression analysis, the parameters such as systolic hypotension on admission, female gender, high serum peak creatine kinase (> 20,000 U/l) and multiple trauma including thoracic and abdominal regions, were factors increasing risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: As a result, sepsis, multiple trauma and severe crush injury were the main factors increasing mortality risk in dialyzed injuries after the earthquake.

C-banding visualized by atomic force microscopy.

C-banding is a method used for studying chromosome rearrangements near centromeres and for investigating polymorphisms. In human chromosomes, the C-bands are located at the centromere of all the chromosomes and the distal long arm of the Y chromosome. In this study, we aimed to detect the structural changes in chromosomes during the stages of C-banding by atomic force microscopy. We observed crater-like structures in the chromosomes after 2xSSC (saline sodium citrate) treatment and measured the relative difference between the heights of chromatid and centromere of the chromosomes. Results showed that the relative difference was 3 nm in chromosomes 1, 9, 16, and Y, whereas in the other chromosomes this value was 11.6 nm. After Giemsa staining, the relative difference increased by a factor of 16 in chromosomes 1, 9, 16, and Y. The other chromosomes showed no such increase, which is in accordance with our suggestion that nonhiston proteins associated with DNA in constitutive heterochromatin can make the constitutive heterochromatin resistant to C-banding.