The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of craniofacial structure and nasal septal deviation on frontal sinus morphology 3-dimensionally. This study of anatomy, anthropology, ...morphology, and radiology included 74 dry skulls as study sample. The craniofacial measurements were made through conventional anthropometric methods by the use of calipers. The nasal septal deviation measurements were done by computerized software on photographs taken from frontal view. Frontal sinus volumes were estimated by the computerized tomography-based volumetry. The relationships between craniofacial structure, nasal septal deviation, and frontal sinus morphology were tested by linear regression and correlation analysis. The analysis of numerical variables and categorical variables within different groups was done by Mann-Whitney U/Kruskal-Wallis, and χ2 tests, respectively. There appeared a positive relationship between the dimensions of the frontal sinuses and the maximal cranial length and the nasal height especially on the left side (P < .05). However, after multivariate linear regression model for both factors was created, solely the nasal height kept being a positive factor for frontal sinus size as an independent variable. No statistical relevance was detected between the presence of metopic suture and frontal sinus morphology. Septal deviation itself affected frontal sinus morphometry, but the morphometry did not differ between the deviation side and the opposite side. In conclusion, the cranial structure does not affect the frontal sinus morphology but nasal structure affects. The true influences, among measured craniofacial elements, in relationship with the pneumatization of frontal sinus are appeared to be the nasal structure related.
PurposeTo evaluate the choroidal thickness in patients with Graves orbitopathy (GO) using enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).MethodsThirty-one patients with GO were ...evaluated prospectively. All subjects underwent ophthalmologic examination including best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, biomicroscopic, and fundus examination. Choroidal thickness was measured at the central fovea. In addition, visual evoked potential measurement and visual field evaluation were performed.ResultsThe mean choroidal thickness was 377.8±7.4 μ in the GO group, and 334±13.7 μ in the control group. (P=0.004). There was a strong correlation between the choridal thickness and the clinical activity scores (CAS) of the patients (r=0.281, P=0.027). Additionally, there was a correlation between the choroidal thickness and the visual-evoked potential (VEP) P100 latency measurements of the patients (r=0.439, P=0.001).ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that choroid is thicker in patients with GO. The choroidal thickness is also correlated with the CAS and VEP P100 latency measurements in these patients.
•Ferroboron powder addition affected abrasive wear resistance positively.•Hard phase morphology has a major effect on wear resistance in addition to hardness.•Increasing FeB in powder mixture ...increased the hardness and the wear resistance.•Increasing boron content promoted the formation of primary hard phases.
The aim of this study is the investigation of the effect of ferroboron and the amount of powder mixture (ferroboron+ferrochromium) on wear resistance of Iron (Fe)–Chromium (Cr)–Carbon (C) based hardfacing alloys. Powder mixture, consisting of ferrochromium (FeCr) and ferroboron (FeB), was added to massive wire during welding process. Hardfaced layers were obtained by three different powder mixtures and two different powder/massive wire proportions. Hardfacing was applied to AISI 1020 steel substrate by open arc welding. Hardness test, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, dry sand/rubber wheel abrasion test were executed. Test results showed that increasing ferroboron content and increasing powder mixture amount enhanced the wear resistance.
Background
In Turkey, several changes have been made in the vaccination schedule. Vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomiyelitis were applied as DTwP and OPV until the end of ...2006. Hib vaccine was added to the schedule and was administered as a separate injection in 2007 as DPT + OPV + Hib. DTaP-IPV/Hib combined vaccine replaced them in 2008. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations in the frequency of adverse reactions of these different schedules in the consecutive three years.
Methods
A total of 2401 infants who were vaccinated in Gazi University Well Child Clinics during the first 3 months of each schedule were enrolled in the study. Local and systemic adverse events were recorded in diaries by the parents for the next three days.
Results
No significant differences existed between infants vaccinated with DPT + OPV and DPT + OPV + Hib regarding all adverse events detected. Frequency of local and systemic reactions were lower in infants vaccinated with DTaP-IPV/Hib combined vaccine (p < 0.001). Frequency of adverse events in infants vaccinated with DPT + OPV or DPT+ OPV + Hib were highest at booster doses.
Conclusions
The original experience of the study is the demonstration of the adverse event profile for three different schedules which allowed us to draw the profile of the adverse events in a country with changing national schedules. Implementation of Schedule 3 reduced the adverse events of vaccination. Thus reduction in the number of injections and reactogenicity of pertussis vaccine contributed to an increase in the compliance to the vaccination program.
The objective of this study is to investigate the solubilization of poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs, octaethylporphine (OEP), meso-tetraphenyl porphine (mTPP) and camptothecin (CPT), in ...Pluronic and polyethylene glycol–distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PEG–DSPE) polymeric micelles. Three different Pluronic and PEG–DSPE polymers with various chain lengths were chosen and micelle formulations were prepared by using various drug:polymer ratios. Formulations were characterized by critical micellization concentration (CMC) values of copolymers, micelle particle size and distribution, zeta potential, loading efficiency and stability. Polymers formed very stable, low CMC micelles with smaller sizes than 100
nm. It was shown that drug loading efficiency highly depends on the polymer type, drug type and their ratios. The most efficient drug loading was obtained by loading mTPP in PEG
2000–DSPE and Pluronic F127 micelles. This result is attributed to phenyl groups in mTPP might lead to attraction between alkyl groups in the polymer and increase drug incorporation. PEG–DSPE formulations had higher zeta potential values indicating that they would be more stable against aggregation than Pluronic micelles. From the drug assay aspect Pluronic micelles remained more stable in 3-month long stability test. These results showed that besides their solubilizing effects, polymeric micelles could be useful as novel drug carriers for hydrophobic drugs.
In this study, it is proposed to develop new electrodes for high performance and flexible supercapacitors by doping sodium borate (Na
2
B
4
O
5
(OH)
4
·8H
2
O) (NaB) and zinc borate (Zn
3
B
6
O
12
...·3.5H
2
O) (ZnB) to poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) for the first time. NaB and ZnB were doped to PEDOT:PSS in different ratios (0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.25 and 2.5 mg ml
−1
) and coated on glass substrates by a spin coating method, which is a simple and low cost deposition technically. Studies were carried out to determine the structural, electrical, optical and morphological properties of the thin films produced. Electrochemical properties were determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) tests. The 2.5 mg ml
−1
NaB doped PEDOT:PPS/GCE exhibited 10 times higher capacitance than the undoped PEDOT:PSS electrode material (1.0 V potential range, 0.1 M NaCl electrolyte). This study proposes a new electrode material produced at low cost in one-step for supercapacitor applications with improved electrochemical performance.
In this study, for the first time, we propose new electrode materials for transparent and flexible supercapacitors by doping sodium borate (NaB) and zinc borate (ZnB) to poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS).
To determine the incidence and severity of hearing loss in different frequencies in patients with pseudoexfoliation. Furthermore, possible links between homocysteine and pseudoexfoliation were ...evaluated.
Seventy-five consecutive patients with pseudoexfoliation and 75 sex- and age-matched subjects without pseudoexfoliation as control group were included in this prospective case-control study. Pure-tone audiometry was obtained in all subjects in both groups. Blood samples were obtained from 70 patients with pseudoexfoliation after overnight fasting for levels of homocysteine and analyzed by routine laboratory measurements.
Fifty-two (69%) patients with pseudoexfoliation and 39 (52%) controls had sensorineural hearing loss in speech frequencies. The difference between pseudoexfoliation and control group with regard to the frequency of sensorineural hearing loss in speech frequencies was statistically significant (p=0.03). No relationship was found between the degree of glaucomatous damage and hearing threshold variables in the patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. Plasma homocysteine levels showed no significant difference when patients with pseudoexfoliation and hearing loss were compared with patients with pseudoexfoliation and normal hearing threshold (p=0.5). Hyperhomocysteinemia was found in 58% (29/50) of pseudoexfoliation patients with hearing loss, and 55 % (11/20) of pseudoexfoliation patients with normal hearing threshold (p=0.8). No statistically significant correlation was found between plasma homocysteine and hearing loss in patients with pseudoexfoliation.
These findings suggest an association between sensorineural hearing loss and pseudoexfoliation in patients with pseudoexfoliation and glaucoma. The severity of hearing loss was not correlated with the degree of glaucomatous damage. There is no association between increased homocysteine levels and hearing loss in patients with pseudoexfoliation.
Summary This study evaluated the effect of a multifaceted intervention (screening and patient education) by community pharmacists on testing or treatment of osteoporosis. One hundred and twenty-nine ...patients randomized to receive the intervention were compared to 133 patients who did not receive the intervention. Twice as many patients who got the intervention received further testing or treatment for osteoporosis. Introduction The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a community pharmacist screening program on testing and treatment of osteoporosis. Methods In this randomized, controlled trial, 262 patients meeting bone mineral density (BMD) testing guidelines men or women aged ≥ 65 years or 50-64 years with one major risk factor including previous fracture, family history of osteoporosis, glucocorticoids for > 3 months, or early menopause were allocated to intervention (129) or control (133). Intervention consisted of printed materials, education, and quantitative ultrasound. Primary outcome was a composite endpoint of BMD or prescription for osteoporosis medication within 4 months. Results Primary endpoint of BMD or osteoporosis treatment was achieved by 28 intervention patients (22%) compared with 14 controls (11%) (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-3.7). This was driven by BMD testing (28 (22%) vs. 13 (10%) for controls, p = 0.011). Calcium intake increased more among intervention patients than controls (30% vs. 19%, RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.5). There was no effect on knowledge or quality of life. Conclusion A pharmacist screening program doubled the number of patients tested for osteoporosis. Nevertheless, many patients eligible for BMD did not receive appropriate care suggesting more intensive interventions are needed.
PurposeTo evaluate aqueous humor (AH) pentraxin-3 (PTX3) levels in diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).MethodsIn this prospective study, patients undergoing cataract surgery ...were enrolled. The study group was composed of 26 type-2 diabetic patients without DR (group 1), 32 diabetic patients with DR (group 2) and 29 age-matched subjects without any systemic disease (group 3). Fifteen proliferative DR (PDR) and 17 non-proliferative DR (NPDR) patients were enrolled in Group 2. HbA1c levels and duration of diabetes were noted. AH samples were obtained from anterior chamber at the beginning of cataract surgery and PTX3 levels were analyzed with Elisa kit.ResultsBaseline demographic characteristics were similar between groups. The mean duration of diabetes was 11.9±7.9 years in group 1 and 15.8±7.8 years in group 2 (P=0.11). The mean plasma HbA1c levels in group 1 was 9.1±2.6 and 8.2±2.4 in group 2 (P=0.36). PTX3 levels were 5.75±0.41 in group 1, 6.11±1.47 in group 2 and 4.93±0.84 ng/ml in group 3 (P=0.01). PTX3 levels in group 2 were higher than in group 1 and 3 (P=0.06 and P=0.01, respectively). There was no correlation between HbA1c and PTX3 levels (P=0.06 r=0.57, P=0.19 r=0.3, respectively). The mean PTX3 was 6.6±0.3 in PDR group and 5.6±0.5 ng/ml in NPDR group (P=0.04).ConclusionsPTX3 is an important marker especially for vascular endothelial damage. Since diabetic vascular changes are dependent on endothelial cell damage, high levels of AH PTX3 of DR patients may indicate the importance of PTX3 protein in the pathogenesis of DR.
The objectives of this study were investigation the effects of microwave output powers on drying kinetics of yoghurt, selecting the best fitted thin-layer model to characterize the drying behavior of ...yoghurt and determination of the activation energy and effective diffusivity. In order to achieve these objectives, low-fat yoghurt was dried by using domestic microwave oven at different microwave output powers (100, 180 and 300 W). Average drying rates were determined as 1.49, 4.43 and 7.90 g H2O m-2 s-1 for microwave output powers of 100, 180 and 300 W, respectively. The effective moisture diffusivities were determined as 3.30 x 10-9, 6.62 x 10-9 and 1.15 x 10-8 m2 s-1 for 100, 180 and 300 W, respectively. The Ea of yoghurt was found as 3.62 W g-1. Midilli and others model was selected as best fitted model due to highest values of R2 and low values of χ2, RMSE and RSS.
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