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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread condition with considerable health and economic impacts globally. However, existing methodologies for serum creatinine assessment often involve prolonged wait times and sophisticated equipment, such as spectrometers, hindering real-time diagnosis and care. Innovative solutions like point-of-care (POC) devices are emerging to address these challenges. In this context, there is a recognized need for remote, regular, automated, and low-cost analysis of serum creatinine levels, given its role as a critical parameter for CKD diagnosis and management. This study introduces a miniaturized system with integrated heater elements designed for precise serum creatinine measurement. The system operates based on the Jaffe method and accurate serum creatinine measurement within a microreservoir chip. Smartphone-based image processing using the hue-saturation-value (HSV) color space was applied to captured images of microreservoirs. The creatinine analyses were conducted in serum with a limit of detection of ~ 0.4 mg/dL and limit of quantification of ~ 1.3 mg/dL. Smartphone-based image processing employing the HSV color space outperformed spectrometric analysis for creatinine measurement conducted in serum. This pioneering technology and smartphone-based processing offer the potential for decentralized renal function testing, which could significantly contribute to improved patient care. The miniaturized system offers a low-cost alternative ($87 per device), potentially reducing healthcare expenditures (~ $0.5 per test) associated with CKD diagnosis and management. This innovation could greatly improve access to diagnosis and monitoring of CKD, especially in regions where access to sophisticated laboratory equipment is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information technologies give patients the opportunity to communicate with medical professionals remotely. Telemedicine uses these technologies to provide advanced healthcare and medical services. We present a medical online consultation application based on Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) technology enabling chat, audio, and video calls. Communication architecture and protocols of the application are explained in detail. Additionally, the user interface of the application is shown via performed calls. The application is tested and evaluated on different network connections (3G, 4G, local, and DSL) and different browsers and mobile operating systems (Android, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, iOS, Opera, Safari). During calls, communication quality parameters such as round-trip time (RTT) and packet loss, obtained via the WebRTC application programming interface, are analyzed. 3G, 4G, and local connections show low packet losses (<1%). Packet losses are high (>1%) in Android, Chrome, iOS, Opera, and Safari for DSL connection, but RTT values are low (<100 ms) in all different conditions excluding iOS. In the presented application, RTT and packet loss remain lower than 100 ms and 1%, respectively, in various scenarios, indicating good communication quality. RTT and packet loss are related to total time and hang time parameters, which describe the necessary time to establish and to end a call. It is shown that communication quality of the application can simply be measured by analyzing the total time parameter. This enables predictable information for communication quality for WebRTC-based applications without continuously monitoring RTT and packet loss for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid point-of-care tests for infectious diseases are essential, especially in pandemic conditions. We have developed a point-of-care electromechanical device to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA using the reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) principle. The developed device can detect SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA down to 103 copies/mL and from a low amount of sample volumes (2 μL) in less than an hour of standalone operation without the need for professional labor and equipment. Integrated Peltier elements in the device keep the sample at a constant temperature, and an integrated camera allows automated monitoring of LAMP reaction in a stirring sample by using colorimetric analysis of unfocused sample images in the hue/saturation/value color space. This palm-fitting, portable and low-cost device does not require a fully focused sample image for analysis, and the operation could be stopped automatically through image analysis when the positive test results are obtained. Hence, viral infections can be detected with the portable device produced without the need for long, expensive, and labor-intensive tests and equipment, which can make the viral tests disseminated at the point-of-care. [Display omitted] • An electromechanical device was designed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. • Image processing algorithms were implemented to analyze colorimetric LAMP process. • The device can detect 103 copies/mL of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 55 min from 2 μL samples. • The platform provides real-time, portable, low-cost, and automated RNA detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a non-invasively assessed marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Our aim in this study was to investigate CIMT in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Thirty women with GDM and 40 unaffected women (as a control group) were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn from each woman in the morning after they had fasted for at least 8 h, and levels of fasting glucose, insulin, homocysteine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipo protein (LDL) cholesterol and very low-density lipo protein (VLDL) cholesterol were measured, along with the CIMT in the two groups. Results The mean triglyceride (P = 0.016) and VLDL cholesterol (P = 0.011) levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the unaffected women. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and insulin. The mean homocysteine (P = 0.027) and fasting glucose (P = 0.019) levels in women with GDM were significantly higher than those in the control group. Patients with GDM had significantly higher CIMT than did the unaffected women (0.582 ± 0.066 mm vs. 0.543 ± 0.049 mm, P = 0.006). CIMT correlated positively with maternal age (r = 0.316, P = 0.008), body mass index (BMI) at the time of a 50-g oral glucose load test (r = 0.414, P = 0.001) and homocysteine levels (r = 0.332, P = 0.008), and fasting glucose (r = 0.265, P = 0.03 1) and 1-h glucose value (r = 0.410, P = 0.001) at the time of the oral glucose tolerance test. There was a positive correlation between the presence of GDM and CIMT (r = 0.372, P = 0.001). However, stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that GDM/no GDM (95% CI + 0.012 to + 0.076, P = 0.008) and BMI at the time of the 50-g test (95% CI + 0.001 to + 0.009, P = 0.011) were independent parameters related to CIMT. Conclusion Women with GDM have increased CIMT compared with unaffected women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare women with spontaneous preterm delivery before 37 weeks and women who delivered at term with respect to amniotic fluid C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose levels, and white blood cell counts at the time of genetic amniocentesis. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted on 216 pregnant women who underwent genetic amniocentesis between the 15th and 18th weeks of gestation at Baskent University Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. All patients were followed until delivery for the occurrence of pregnancy complication. Indications for amniocentesis included abnormal triple test results showing increased risk for Down's syndrome, advanced maternal age and sonographic findings indicative for chromosomal abnormalities. The samples were carried immediately to the laboratory for cytogenetic and biochemical examination. Women with spontaneous preterm delivery before 37 weeks (n = 20) and those who delivered at term (n = 196) were compared with respect to some maternal and infant characteristics, amniotic fluid C-reactive protein, glucose levels, and amniotic fluid white blood cell counts. RESULTS: During the study period 244 patients underwent amniocentesis. A chromosomal abnormality was present in 11 patients. 1 patient had a spontaneous pregnancy loss within 3 weeks after the procedure and 16 patients were delivered for fetal or maternal indications (preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placenta previa). The remaining 216 women were included in the study and investigated for the risk of preterm delivery. The prevalence of spontaneous preterm delivery before 37 weeks was 9.3% (20/216). There were no significant differences between the preterm delivery and the term delivery groups with respect to C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell counts. Mean amniotic glucose levels were significantly lower in the preterm delivery group (P<0.05). Amniotic fluid glucose levels of < or = 46 mg/dL had a sensitivity of 100% and NPV of 100%. CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid glucose levels at the time of genetic amniocentesis are lower in women with spontaneous preterm delivery before 37 weeks compared to those who delivered at term. Amniotic fluid glucose levels of < or = 46 mg/dL at the time of genetic amniocentesis may be more sensitive, cheaper and have higher negative predictive value than C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell counts for the prediction of patients in spontaneous preterm labor. The greatest benefit of amniotic fluid glucose testing might be when the physician judges the patient to be at low risk for preterm delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural and forced vibrations of a thick rectangular plate fabricated from a composite material with a spatially locally curved structure are investigated with the use of exact three-dimensional equations of motion of the theory of elastic anisotropic bodies. The investigations are carried out within the framework of the continuum approach developed by Akbarov and Guz’. It is supposed that the plate is clamped at all its edges and is loaded on the upper face with uniformly distributed normal forces periodically changing with time. The influence of the parameters of local curving on the fundamental frequency of the plate and on the distribution of the normal stress acting in the thickness direction under forced vibration is studied. The corresponding boundary-value problems are solved numerically by employing the three-dimensional FEM modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stress distribution in a thick rectangular plate of a multilayered composite with a spatially locally curved structure is investigated with the use of three-dimensional exact equations of elasticity theory. The investigations are carried out within the framework of the continuum approach proposed by Akbarov and Guz'. It is supposed that the plate edges are clamped and uniformly distributed normal forces are applied to its upper face. The corresponding boundary-value problem is solved by employing the three-dimensional FEM modeling. Numerical results for the normal stresses acting in the thickness direction of the plate are given. The influence of the spatial local curving on the distribution of these stresses is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Does multi-fetal pregnancy reduction influence perinatal results in twin pregnancies?," by F. F. Yanik and colleagues is presented.

The article presents several case studies involving limb body wall defects of the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. One showed a large abdominal wall defect with scoliosis, and the stomach, liver and bowel were all outside the abdomen. Another had a large abdominal defect with severe scoliosis and anencephaly with a suspicion of cleft lip and palate. The last demonstrated Turner's syndrome, had a large abdominal wall defect, and the bowel and liver outside were outside the abdomen.

An abstract of the article "Can bleeding affect fetal Doppler parameters during genetic amniocentesis?." by E. Tarim, T. Cok, C. Iskender is presented.

An abstract of the article "Abdominal wall defects: evaluation of 20 cases at a tertiary care center," by E. Simsek and colleagues are presented.

An abstract of the article "Prenatal diagnosis of right diaphragmatic eventration associated with fetal hydrops," by C. Iskender and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Can LMWHs affect uterine artery Doppler in patients with trombophilia?," by T. Cok, E. Tarim and C. Iskender is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Glucose challenge test between 130-140 mg/dl; adding abdominal circumference measurement difference between 29-33 weeks may predict macrosomia," by E. Tarim and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Limb body wall defect: three different presentations with abdominal wall defects," by S. Hacivelioglu and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Low molecular weight heparins and first trimester maternal PAPP-A and hCG levels, fetal nuchal translucency in the first trimester of pregnancy," by E. Tarim and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "First trimester maternal serum PAPP-A levels and macrosomia," by E. Tarim and colleagues is presented.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of insulin sensitivity check indices in our hospital population. Methods: Both HOMA (insulin X glucose in mmol/l/22.5) and QUICKI (1/log insulin in μu/ml + log glucose in mg/dl) indices were calculated from fasting values in 1774 subjects from the medical records of Baskent University Adana Hospital. Results: Subjects with diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and central obesity were characterized by significantly higher HOMA and lower QUICKI indices than those of healthy subjects. A fall in the QUICKI index (0.3469 ± 0.028 in healthy subjects and 0.3247 ± 0.025 in non-obese diabetics) as well as an increase in HOMA index (2.24 ± 1.26 in healthy subjects and 3.59 ± 2.08 in non-obese diabetics) corresponded to metabolic and clinical manifestations of insulin resistance in various groups of subjects. Age, low HDL cholesterol, male sex, type 2 DM and hypertension were independent risk factors for CAD. Age, male sex, waist circumference and CAD were found to be risk factors for hypertension. Fasting insulin and glucose levels contain sufficient information to assess insulin sensitivity over a wide range in a diverse population. The following can be accepted as mean values to assess insulin resistance in our hospital population: 0.3469 ± 0.028 for the QUICKI index and 2.24 ± 1.26 for the HOMA index Conclusions: HOMA and QUICKI indices are simple and reproducible methods for determining insulin sensitivity in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To establish a relationship between hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection by histologic testing. Methods: Twenty patients with severe HG (Group I) and 10 volunteer pregnant women without gastric complaints (Group II) were included in the study. Endoscopic evaluations were done in both groups and biopsies were obtained from the antrum and corpus for the histopathologic diagnosis of H. pylori. The groups were compared with the χ2-test and Fisher''s exact test where appropriate. Results: H. pylori was diagnosed in 19 (95%) of 20 patients in Group I and 5 (50%) of 10 patients in group II. H. pylori densities in the antrum and corpus were higher in Group I and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant. The biopsy specimens revealed significant inflammation and H. pylori activation processes in patients with HG, and in 18 of 19 patients inflammation scores were greater than +2 on the scale. Pangastritis was demonstrated by endoscopic examination in 17 of 20 patients with HG. Enterogastric reflux was also diagnosed in 10 patients. In the control group, three patients had antral gastritis. Conclusions: We suggest that in patients with intractable nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, pangastritis and enterogastric reflux are the main endoscopic findings and that these findings are closely associated with H. pylori infection, which can be diagnosed histologically. The degree of gastric complaints may be associated with the density of H. pylori infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]