Canakkale Onsekiz Mart Universitesi Tip Fakultesi Hastanesi

Colostrum is the first milk produced post-partum by mammals and is compositionally distinct from mature milk. Bovine colostrum has a long history of consumption by humans, and there have been a number of studies investigating its potential for applications in human nutrition and health. Extensive characterization of the constituent fractions has identified a wealth of potentially bioactive molecules, their potential for shaping neonatal development, and the potential for their application beyond the neonatal period. Proteins, fats, glycans, minerals, and vitamins are abundant in colostrum, and advances in dairy processing technologies have enabled the advancement of bovine colostrum from relative limitations of a fresh and unprocessed food to a variety of potential applications. In these forms, clinical studies have examined bovine colostrum as having the substantial potential to improve human health. This review discusses the macro-and micronutrient composition of colostrum as well as describing well-characterized bioactives found in bovine colostrum and their potential for human health. Current gaps in knowledge are also identified and future directions are considered in order to elevate the potential for bovine colostrum as a component of a healthy diet for a variety of relevant human populations.

Orbital angular momentum (OAM, J o ), systemic mass (M) and orbital period (P) distributions of chromospherically active binaries (CAB) and W Ursae Majoris (W UMa) systems were investigated. The diagrams of logJ o -logP, logM-logP and log J o -log M were formed from 119 CAB and 102 W UMa stars. The log J o -log M diagram is found to be most meaningful in demonstrating dynamical evolution of binary star orbits. A slightly curved borderline (contact border) separating the detached and the contact systems was discovered on the log J o -log M diagram. Since the orbital size (a) and period (P) of binaries are determined by their current J o , M and mass ratio, q, the rates of OAM loss (d log J o /dt) and mass loss (d log M/dt) are primary parameters to determine the direction and the speed of the dynamical evolution. A detached system becomes a contact system if its own dynamical evolution enables it to pass the contact border on the log J o -log M diagram. The evolution of q for a mass-losing detached system is unknown unless the mass-loss rate for each component is known. Assuming q is constant in the first approximation and using the mean decreasing rates of J o and M from the kinematical ages of CAB stars, it has been predicted that 11, 23 and 39 per cent of current CAB stars would transform to W UMa systems if their nuclear evolution permits them to live 2, 4 and 6 Gyr, respectively.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the analytical performance characteristics of the two creatinine methods based on the Jaffe and enzymatic methods. METHODS: Two original creatinine methods, Jaffe and enzymatic, were evaluated on Architect c16000 automated analyzer via limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ), linearity, intra-assay and inter-assay precision, and comparability in serum and urine samples. The method comparison and bias estimation using patient samples according to CLSI guideline were performed on 230 serum and 141 urine samples by analyzing on the same auto-analyzer. RESULTS: The LODs were determined as 0.1 mg/dL for both serum methods and as 0.25 and 0.07 mg/dL for the Jaffe and the enzymatic urine method respectively. The LOQs were similar with 0.05 mg/dL value for both serum methods, and enzymatic urine method had a lower LOQ than Jaffe urine method, values at 0.5 and 2 mg/dL respectively. Both methods were linear up to 65 mg/dL for serum and 260 mg/dL for urine. The intra-assay and inter-assay precision data were under desirable levels in both methods. The higher correlations were determined between two methods in serum and urine (r=.9994, r=.9998 respectively). On the other hand, Jaffe method gave the higher creatinine results than enzymatic method, especially at the low concentrations in both serum and urine. CONCLUSIONS: Both Jaffe and enzymatic methods were found to meet the analytical performance requirements in routine use. However, enzymatic method was found to have better performance in low creatinine levels.

Neutrophils and lymphocytes (N/L) ratio and carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) value have been studied as new predictors of cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate N/L ratio and C-IMT value in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and compare patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal participants. A total of 288 participants were enrolled in the study. The N/L ratio and C-IMT value were compared among the 3 groups. There were no statistically significant differences in N/L levels between CSX and CAD groups. The N/L ratio was found significantly increased in patients with CSX and CAD, compared to the control group. Patients with CAD and CSX had significantly higher C-IMT value compared to control participants. Significant positive correlation was found between C-IMT value and plasma level of N/L ratio. The relationship among CSX and higher N/L ratio level and C-IMT suggests that endothelial dysfunction may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of the CSX.

Atherosclerosis plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia (CAE). Inflammation markers may play a part in the pathogenesis of CAE. We aimed to assess the association between the CAE and the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio. Consecutive eligible patients (n = 181) were divided into 3 groups: patients with CAE, those with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD), and those with a normal coronary angiogram. The N/L ratio and mean platelet volume (MPV) were measured as part of the automated complete blood count. There were no statistically significant differences in N/L ratio and MPV between the CAE and the CAD groups. The N/L ratio and MPV were significantly higher in patients in both CAE and CAD groups compared to those in the control group (P < .01). An increased N/L ratio may play a role not only in the pathogenesis of CAD but also in the pathophysiology of CAE.

High levels of circulating Von Willebrand factor (vWf) and increased neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio may reflect vascular inflammation in hypertensive patients. In present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of valsartan as an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and amlodipine as a calcium channel blocker on the vWf levels and N/L ratio in patients with essential hypertension. Patients were randomized to one of the following intervention protocols: calcium channel blocker (amlodipine, 5-10 mg/day) as group A (n = 20 mean age = 51.85 ± 11.32 y) and angiotensine II receptor blocker (valsartan, 80-320 mg/day) as group B (n = 26 mean age = 49.12 ± 14.12 y). Endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation were evaluated with vWf levels and N/L ratio in hypertensive patients before treatment and after treatment in the 12th week. No statistically significant differences were found among the groups in terms of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). There was a significant decrease in vWf levels (P < .001) and N/L ratio after treatment (P = .04, P < .001, respectively) in both the groups. Von Willebrand factor levels and N/L ratio are very important markers having a role in vascular inflammation and antihypertensive treatment with amlodipine and valsartan may improve cardiovascular outcomes by decreasing these biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a new prognostic marker in coronary artery disease. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between PLR and in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study included 636 patients with ST-elevated AMI. The study population was divided into tertiles based on their admission PLR. Patients having values in the third tertile was defined as the high PLR group (n=212) and those having values in the lower 2 tertiles were defined as the low PLR group (n=424). RESULTS: Risk factors of coronary artery disease and treatments administered during the in-hospital period were similar between the groups. Male patient ratio was found to be lower in the high PLR group (73% vs. 82.8%, p=0.004). In-hospital mortality was increased in the high PLR group when compared to the low PLR group (12.7% vs. 5.9%, p=0.004). The PLR >144 was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (HR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.16-4.0, p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that PLR is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in patients with ST-elevated AMI.

Poly(methacrylic acid) (p(MAc)) microgels were synthesized by inverse suspension polymerization and used as a template for copper, nickel, and cobalt nanoparticle preparation.

The aim of our study was to investigate the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in identification of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and other complications in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) [1].

We study the kinematics of 129 W UMa binaries and we discuss its implications on the contact binary evolution. The sample is found to be heterogeneous in the velocity space. That is, kinematically younger and older contact binaries exist in the sample. A kinematically young (0.5 Gyr) subsample (moving group) is formed by selecting the systems that satisfy the kinematical criteria of moving groups. After removing the possible moving group members and the systems that are known to be members of open clusters, the rest of the sample is called the field contact binary (FCB) group. The FCB group is further divided into four groups according to the orbital period ranges. Then, a correlation is found in the sense that shorter-period less-massive systems have larger velocity dispersions than the longer-period more-massive systems. Dispersions in the velocity space indicate a 5.47-Gyr kinematical age for the FCB group. Compared with the field chromospherically active binaries (CABs), presumably detached binary progenitors of the contact systems, the FCB group appears to be 1.61 Gyr older. Assuming an equilibrium in the formation and destruction of CAB and W UMa systems in the Galaxy, this age difference is treated as an empirically deduced lifetime of the contact stage. Because the kinematical ages (3.21, 3.51, 7.14 and 8.89 Gyr) of the four subgroups of the FCB group are much longer than the 1.61-Gyr lifetime of the contact stage, the pre-contact stages of the FCB group must dominantly be producing the large dispersions. The kinematically young (0.5 Gyr) moving group covers the same total mass, period and spectral ranges as the FCB group. However, the very young age of this group does not leave enough room for pre-contact stages, and thus it is most likely that these systems were formed in the beginning of the main sequence or during the pre-main-sequence contraction phase, either by a fission process or most probably by fast spiralling in of two components in a common envelope.

The 06 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes, which were the disaster of the century for Türkiye and in which more than 50,000 people lost their lives, caused many buildings to collapse or receive significant structural damages. Adıyaman is one of the provinces that caused the most destruction by earthquakes affecting 11 different provinces, which occupy approximately 14% of the country's surface area. The masonry buildings have been severely damaged by earthquakes, which constitute a significant part of the building stock in the province’s rural areas. In this study, the region’s seismicity and the spectral acceleration values of the last earthquakes were analyzed, and the distribution of building damages was given statistically. The main goal of this study is to determine the collapse and failure mechanisms of existing unreinforced masonry buildings in detail. The study also includes reconstruction strategies or retrofitting procedures to prevent damage to masonry structures in the region. Non-compliance with seismic design codes is the leading cause of damage in masonry buildings constructed by local craftsmen using low-strength wall and joint building materials. The usage of heavy earthen roofs, insufficient wall-wall, and wall-roof connections, lack of vertical and horizontal beams, poor workmanship, and insufficient interlocking between layers are the causes of structural damages observed in the field. At the end of the study, critical clauses in the current earthquake code were emphasized, and the precautions to be taken for existing and new design masonry buildings were also mentioned.

Poly(methacrylic-<italic>co</italic>-acrylonitrile) (p(MAc-<italic>co</italic>-AN)) microgels were prepared and nitrile groups were converted to amidoxime groups by chemical modification.

Completely updated, this second edition gives a broad review of astronomical photometry to provide an understanding of astrophysics from a data-based perspective. It explains the underlying principles of the instruments used, and the applications and inferences derived from measurements. Each chapter has been fully revised to account for the latest developments, including the use of CCDs. Highly illustrated, this book provides an overview and historical background of the subject before reviewing the main themes within astronomical photometry. The central chapters focus on the practical design of the instruments and methodology used. The book concludes by discussing specialised topics in stellar astronomy, concentrating on the information derived from the analysis of the light curves of variable stars and close binary systems. It includes numerous bibliographic notes and a glossary of terms. It is ideal for graduate students, academic researchers and advanced amateurs interested in practical and observational astronomy.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac syndrome X is characterized by angina-like chest pain, a positive stress test, and normal coronary arteries. A patient's mean platelet volume, which potentially reflects platelet function and activity, is associated with coronary atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mean platelet volumes of patients with cardiac syndrome X, those with coronary artery disease and normal subjects. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-six subjects (76 patients with cardiac syndrome X, 78 patients with coronary artery disease, and 82 controls) were enrolled in the study. All of the subjects were evaluated with a detailed medical history, physical examination, and biochemical analyses. The mean platelet volumes were compared between the three groups. RESULTS: The mean platelet volumes in the patients with cardiac syndrome X and with coronary artery disease were significantly higher than those that were observed in the control group. There were no significant differences in the mean platelet volumes between the cardiac syndrome X and the coronary artery disease groups. CONCLUSION: We have established that patients with cardiac syndrome X and coronary artery disease exhibit higher mean platelet volumes compared to controls. Patients with cardiac syndrome X exhibited higher mean platelet volumes compared to the controls, reflecting the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that, in addition to endothelial dysfunction, the presence of atherosclerosis may also contribute to the etiopathogenesis of cardiac syndrome X.

OBJECTIVE Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the spinal cord following thoracoabdominal aortic surgery remains the most devastating complication, with a life-changing impact on the patient. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main constituent of the volatile oil from Nigella sativa seeds, is reported to possess strong antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. This study investigated the effects of TQ administration following I/R injury to the spinal cord. METHODS Thirty-two rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Group 1 underwent only laparotomy. For Group 2, aortic clip occlusion was introduced to produce I/R injury. Group 3 was given 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone intraperitoneally immediately after the I/R injury. Group 4 was given 10 mg/kg of TQ intraperitoneally for 7 days before induction of spinal cord I/R injury, and administration was continued until the animal was euthanized. Locomotor function (Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale and inclined plane test) was assessed at 24 hours postischemia. Spinal cord tissue samples were harvested to analyze tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-peroxidase, catalase, and caspase-3. In addition, histological and ultrastructural evaluations were performed. RESULTS Thymoquinone treatment improved neurological outcome, which was supported by decreased levels of oxidative products (malondialdehyde and nitric oxide) and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1), increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione-peroxidase, and catalase), as well as reduction of motor neuron apoptosis. Light microscopy and electron microscopy results also showed preservation of tissue structure in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS As shown by functional, biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural analysis, TQ exhibits an important protective effect against I/R injury of the spinal cord.

Recent developments in artificial intelligence have generated increasing interest to deploy automated image analysis for diagnostic imaging and large-scale clinical applications. However, inaccuracy from automated methods could lead to incorrect conclusions, diagnoses or even harm to patients. Manual inspection for potential inaccuracies is labor-intensive and time-consuming, hampering progress towards fast and accurate clinical reporting in high volumes. To promote reliable fully-automated image analysis, we propose a quality control-driven (QCD) segmentation framework. It is an ensemble of neural networks that integrate image analysis and quality control. The novelty of this framework is the selection of the most optimal segmentation based on predicted segmentation accuracy, on-the-fly. Additionally, this framework visualizes segmentation agreement to provide traceability of the quality control process. In this work, we demonstrated the utility of the framework in cardiovascular magnetic resonance T1-mapping - a quantitative technique for myocardial tissue characterization. The framework achieved near-perfect agreement with expert image analysts in estimating myocardial T1 value (r=0.987,p<.0005; mean absolute error (MAE)=11.3ms), with accurate segmentation quality prediction (Dice coefficient prediction MAE=0.0339) and classification (accuracy=0.99), and a fast average processing time of 0.39 second/image. In summary, the QCD framework can generate high-throughput automated image analysis with speed and accuracy that is highly desirable for large-scale clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, white blood cells (WBCs) and their subtypes have been studied in relation to inflammation. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled a total of 177 patients, 96 AS and 81 healthy controls. Complete blood count, WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte levels were measured, and the NLR was calculated. In the assessment of AS, we used the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index. RESULTS: In the present study, 96 AS and 81 healthy individuals were enrolled. The mean age was 43.8 ± 12.9 and 46.5 ± 11.2 years, respectively. Mean disease duration of AS patients was 6.9 ± 5.6 years (median = 5, min-max = 1-25). The patients with AS had a higher NLR than the control individuals (mean NLR, 2.24 ± 1.23 and 1.73 ± 0.70, respectively, P < 0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between NLR and CRP (r = 0.322, P = 0.01). The patients receiving antitumor necrosis factor α therapy had a lower NLR than the patients receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy (mean NLR, 1.71 ± 0.62 and 2.41 ± 1.33, respectively, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: NLR may be seen as a useful marker for demonstrating inflammation together with acute phase reactants such as CRP and in evaluating the effectiveness of anti-TNF-α therapy.

Purpose – The aim of this article is to examine the relationship of service employees perceptions of servant leadership provided by their supervisors/managers and employee’s reports of service quality provided to clients by their hotels. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 221 frontline employees, a 37 per cent response rate, working in four- and five-star hotels in Cappadocia, Turkey. Previously developed and validated measures of servant leadership (Liden et al. , 2008) and service quality (Parasuraman et al. , 1988) were used and both were found to be highly reliable in this study. Findings – Respondents were generally young, had relatively short organizational tenure and had high school educations. Respondents having longer organizational tenures and those working in five-star hotels reported lower levels of servant leadership. Longer tenured employees, and males, rated some dimensions of service quality lower as well. Service employees reporting higher levels of servant leadership from their supervisors/managers generally indicated higher levels of service quality. Research limitations/implications – Some limitations should be noted. First, all data were collected using respondent self-reports, raising the limited possibility of response set tendencies. Second, the sample, while reasonably large, may not be representative of all hotel employees in Turkey. Third, all properties were located in one region of Turkey and may not be representative of hotel employees in other regions of the country. Practical implications – First, organizations could select individuals exhibiting higher levels of servant leadership potential based on indications that these individuals are interested in developing long-term relationships with staff and co-workers and in helping them become more skilled in doing their jobs. Selection can also be augmented by servant leadership training (Fulmer and Conger, 2004). Supervisors/managers could be coached to help them develop their staff and help them meet their unique goals (Raelin, 2003). Finally, workplace cultural value supportive of both servant leadership and service quality can be identified, modeled by senior level managers, supported and rewarded. Originality/value – Most studies focus on defining and measuring servant leadership or service quality. This study investigates the relationship between servant leadership and service quality.

The reactants easily diffuse into a microgel network, adsorb at the surface of catalyst nanoparticles and reduce in the presence of reducing agents.

OBJECT: Vertebroplasty is a well-known technique used to treat pain associated with vertebral compression fractures. Despite a success rate of up to 90% in different series, the procedure is often associated with major complications such as cord and root compression, epidural and subdural hematomas (SDHs), and pulmonary emboli, as well as other minor complications. In this study, the authors discuss the major complications of transpedicular vertebroplasty and their clinical implications during the postoperative course. METHODS: Vertebroplasty was performed in 12 vertebrae of 7 patients. Five patients had osteoporotic compression fractures, 1 had tumoral compression fractures, and 1 had a traumatic fracture. Two patients had foraminal leakage, 1 had epidural leakage, 1 had subdural cement leakage, 2 had a spinal SDH, and the last had a split fracture after the procedure. RESULTS: Three patients had paraparesis (2 had SDHs and 1 had epidural cement leakage), 3 had root symptoms, and 1 had lower back pain. Two of the 3 patients with paraparesis recovered after evacuation of the SDH and subdural cement; however, 1 patient with paraparesis did not recover after epidural cement leakage, despite cement evacuation. Two patients with foraminal leakage and 1 with subdural cement leakage had root symptoms and recovered after evacuation and conservative treatment. The patient with the split fracture had no neurological symptoms and recovered with conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Transpedicular vertebroplasty may have major complications, such as a spinal SDH and/or cement leakage into the epidural and subdural spaces, even when performed by experienced spinal surgeons. Early diagnosis with CT and intervention may prevent worsening of these complications.