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CONTEXT: Papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)s are the indolent progressive tumours. Survivin is a unique bifunctional protein with cell cycle regulation and apoptosis inhibition. The expression of this protein has been shown to be increased in thyroid tumours correlated with aggressive behavior from well differentiated to anaplastic. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between immunohistochemically survivin expression and tumour-associated prognostic factors in papillary thyroid carcinomas. DESIGN: In patients with thyroidectomy, we compared the clinicopathological findings and immunohistochemical positivity for survivin. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 109 patients, sex, age, tumour size, histological tumour variant, tumour focality, tumour border pattern, tumour peripheral/intratumoural lymphocytic and stromal response, intraglandular spread, extrathyroideal spread, lymph node metastases, lymphocytic tiroiditis and relationships of these findings with survivin positivity were investigated. RESULTS: When we indicated the tumour size and compared it with survivin expression, tumour size correlates with, survivin expression (p = 0.016). Survivin expression was correlated statistically significant with lymphovascular invasion, without stromal response and with intraglandular extension respectively (p

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to understand the role of altered in vivo mechanical environments in knee joints post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injury in chondrocyte vulnerability against mechanical stimuli and in the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PT-OA).MethodsDifferential in vivo mechanical environments were induced by unilateral ACL-injury (uni-ACL-I) and bilateral ACL-injury (bi-ACL-I) in 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice. The gait parameters, the mechano-vulnerability of in situ chondrocytes, Young’s moduli of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), and the histological assessment of OA severity (OARSI score) were compared between control and experimental groups at 0∼8-weeks post-ACL-injury.ResultsWe found that bi-ACL-I mice experience higher joint-loading on their both injured limbs, but uni-ACL-I mice balance their joint-loading between injured and uninjured hind limbs resulting in a reduced joint-loading during gait. We also found that at 4- and 8-week post-injury the higher weight-bearing hind limbs (i.e., bi-ACL-I) had the increased area of chondrocyte death induced by impact loading and higher OARSI score than the lower weight-bearing limbs (uni-ACL-I). Additionally, we found that at 8-weeks post-injury the ECM became stiffer in bi-ACL-I joints and softer in uni-ACL-I joints.ConclusionsOur results show that ACL-injured limbs with lower in vivo joint-loading develops PT-OA significantly slower than injured limbs with higher joint-loading during gait. Our data also indicate that articular chondrocytes in severe PT-OA are more fragile from mechanical impacts than chondrocytes in healthy or mild PT-OA. Thus, preserving physiologic joint-loads on injured joints will reduce chondrocyte death post-injury and may delay PT-OA progression.

The influence of microwave radiation on sulphide minerals in inert atmosphere has been investigated with respect to their processing characteristics such as magnetic susceptibility and floatability. Pure sulphide mineral samples were prepared in different size fractions. Microflotation tests were performed and magnetic susceptibilities of samples were measured after treating with microwave energy in inert atmosphere at three power levels for six time intervals. Possible modifications on the mineral surfaces due to microwave energy and exposure time were evaluated by XRD and optical microscopy. The results showed that selective separation of sulphide minerals in terms of floatability and magnetic separation could be possible.

Acute bronchiolitis is predominantly a viral disease. Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common agent, but other newly identified viruses have also been considered as causes. The aim of the present study is to determine the respiratory viruses causing acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized infants. Infants younger than 2 years of age who were hospitalized for acute viral bronchiolitis in a children's hospital between November 2011 and May 2012 were evaluated for the presence of viruses as etiologic agents using a realtime polymerase chain reaction method.A total of 55 infants were included in this study. The mean age of the children was 6.98±5.53 months, and 63.6% were male. In the 55 children, 63 viruses were detected. A single viral pathogen was detected in 47 (85.5%) patients, and two viruses were co-detected in 8 (14.6%) patients. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most common virus identified, accounting for 25 (45.5%) cases, followed by rhinovirus (n=9, 16.4%), and human metapneumovirus (n = 8, 14.5%).Although respiratory syncytial virus remains the major viral pathogen in infants hospitalized for acute broncholitis, more than half of bronchiolitis cases are associated with other respiratory viruses.

Idiopathic anaphylaxis remains a perplexing disorder in which existing prophylactic therapy is inadequate. In this prospective study, we sought to determine whether patients with idiopathic anaphylaxis might have evidence for a clonal disorder of mast cells related to mastocytosis and for which novel targeted therapies might be considered. We report 12 patients with “idiopathic” anaphylaxis who did not exhibit either urticaria pigmentosa or the characteristic bone marrow biopsy finding of multifocal mast-cell aggregates observed in systemic mastocytosis. Of these 12 patients, 5 had evidence of 1 or more minor criteria for mastocytosis. C-KIT mutational analysis was positive for the 816D>V activating mutation in 3 of 3 patients in CD25+ bone marrow cells where the analysis was performed. These results demonstrate the presence of an aberrant mast-cell population carrying clonal markers in a subset of patients diagnosed with “idiopathic” anaphylaxis, who may respond to inhibitors targeting mutated C-KIT. This intramural clinical trial was conducted in 2003 and 2004 and was registered at http://clinicalcenter.nih.gov with a study number 03-I-0010. Since the study is now closed, it is no longer available online.

Yttrium gadolinium aluminate ((Y1-xGdx)(3) Al5O12:Ce) doped cerium phosphors with the different yttrium and gadolinium concentration were prepared by a wet-chemical route via the reagent simultaneous addition technique (WCS-SimAdd). The phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL), radioluminescence (RL) of cerium doped yttrium gadolinium aluminate phosphors. With increasing Gd dopant concentration, the PL intensity was shifted to the red region. Preliminary RI measurements were performed to further evaluate these newly prepared materials. Intense RL was observed that is typical of Ce3+ doped structure. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reliable assessment of asthma control is essential for effective treatment. Although several methods are used to assess asthma control, it is still suboptimal all over the world. Childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) is a widely used complementary test in determining the level of asthma control in conjunction with GINA guidelines.To evaluate the consistency between the childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline-based asthma control measure in children with asthma and, if present, to investigate the reasons for any discrepancy.Patients and their caregivers filled a C-ACT and a socioeconomic status survey before the physician visit. Asthma control level was also assessed according to GINA criteria by a pediatric allergist who was blinded to C-ACT scores.The mean age of the total 314 patients was 9.0 ± 1.9 yr, ranging between 4.3 and 11.8 yr, of whom 56.1% (n = 176) were men. Regarding the study group, 54.8% of patients were controlled according to GINA, and 51.0% of patients were controlled according to C-ACT (score ≥20). There was inconsistency between GINA and C-ACT in 26.7% (84/314) of the study group when the patients were evaluated individually (κ = 0.464). There was not any significant variable that could predict the consistency and inconsistency between these methods.Consistency between GINA and C-ACT is not as to be expected. Using only one method for determining the control level of asthma does not seem to be reliable and accurate.

We, herein, study the thermoluminescence (TL) and cathodoluminescence (CL-SEM) emissions of a cornmercial turquoise [CuAl6(P04)4(OH)8-4H20] to obtain its luminescent features. The widespread use of this material in jewellery makes it interesting to determine its possible use as an emergency dosimeter.CL spectrum of bulk sample displays an intense broad emission from ~260 to ~50 nm together with a weaker narrow band at ~710 nm. Through EDS and EMPA chemical analyses, an important amount of rare earth elements (REE) such as Ce, La, Y, Nd, Dy, Yb, Er, Pr, Sm, Gd, Ho, Tb, and Tm ha ve been identified in the phosphate phases. Apatite [Ca5[OH(PO4)3]], monazite [(Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO4] and xenotime [YP04] have been detected in the turquoise matrix, as well as very small amounts of quartz [Si021. Turquoise itself has a high content in Zn substituting for Cu, together with small amounts of Cr substituting for Al. The well defined peak observed at ~710 nm can be due to Cr3+ activation centers io the Turquoise lattice. The broad emission is probably associated with a big variety of REE activators. Regarding the blue TL, two emission bands (190° and 330°C) appear in the natural aJiquot whereas the irradiated sample displays 00 response at all. As observed in other natural materials, this glow emission could be due to (i) structural defects, (ii) consecutive breaking linking bonds (e.g. Al-O, Cr-O, etc.) from the lattice of the different phosphates induced during the TL readout and (iii) the losses of structural water molecules in the turquoise lattice., This work has been supported partly by a JAE-Doc CSIC post-PhD. Contract and by the CICYT (FIS2007-61823) project. We are very grateful to the helpful comments of anonymous reviewers

Background Translocations involving region 5q31-32 ( PDGFRB ) have been reported in a variety of myeloproliferative diseases and are often associated with significant peripheral eosinophilia. We report an unusual case of a patient presenting with peripheral basophilia and systemic mastocytosis in whom cytogenetic analysis revealed a t(4;5)(q21.1;q31.3). Design and Methods We used molecular analyses to determine the role of PDGFRB in this case. The patient was treated with imatinib. Results Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) documented a breakpoint in PDGFRB . In agreement with this, the patient responded very well to imatinib with resolution of clinical symptoms, basophilia, and mast cell disease. Molecular analyses revealed that PDGFRB , encoding an imatinib-sensitive tyrosine kinase, was fused to PRKG2 . The fusion gene incorporates the first two exons of PRKG2 fused to the truncated exon 12 of PDGFRB , resulting in the disruption of its juxtamembrane domain. Functional studies confirmed that the activity and transforming properties of PRKG2-PDGFRβ were dependent on the disruption of the auto-inhibitory juxtamembrane domain. Conclusions Our results identify a second case of the PRKG2-PDGFRB fusion and confirm the unusual PDGFRB breakpoint associated with this fusion. This work also illustrates the use of imatinib for the treatment of specific cases of systemic mastocytosis.

Background Mast cells and basophils share similar morphologic and functional properties; however, it is not known whether they are derived from a bilineage (basophil/mast cell)–restricted progenitor. Objective To assess whether basophils and mast cells are derived from common committed progenitors using the c- kit D816V mutation as a biologic signature. Methods The D816V c- kit mutation found in mast cells of patients with systemic mastocytosis is used as a trackable genetic marker to assess the lineage relationship between mast cells and basophils. Blood and bone marrow aspirates were collected from 33 consecutive patients with mastocytosis with different disease severity. Peripheral blood basophils, monocytes and neutrophils were sorted by immunomagnetic beads. Presence of the D816V c- kit mutation was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism in the genomic DNA and mRNA from sorted cells in all patients and in the genomic DNA of individual basophils of 1 patient. Results The c- kit D816V mutation was detectable in basophils of 5 patients (15%). All 5 patients had the c- kit mutation also detectable in monocytes and thus had multilineage involvement. Single cell analysis of the genomic DNA in 1 patient showed a similar degree of clonal expansion in basophils, monocytes, and neutrophils. Mutated c- kit was expressed at the mRNA level in all 5 patients. There was no difference in surface Kit expression levels in basophils. Conclusion Basophils carrying the D816V c- kit mutation in mastocytosis were detected only in the context of a multilineage involvement. These results argue against the presence of a bilineage-restricted committed progenitor for mast cells and basophils.

In this study, the possibility of obtaining high quality feldspar concentrate from syenite samples of Bursa-Orhaneli district is investigated. Following the mineralogical characterization, the sample is subjected to high intensity dry magnetic separation at -300|j.m; high intensity wet magnetic separation at -212, -106 and -74jim; flotation at -106 and -74)o,m; flotation+wet magnetic separation at -106 and - 74(j,m for the removal of coloring impurities. The best results are obtained by flotation followed by high intensity wet magnetic separation of -106 (im size fraction. Although the concentrate provides white firing color, due to the removal of 43.37% of the feed as tails and K20:Na20 ratio being low (i.e., 1.77), an investment on a beneficiation plant for Bursa-Orhaneli syenites can be stated as "risky" in terms of today's market conditions., Bu çalışmada, Bursa-Orhaneli bölgesinden alınan siyenit numunelerinden kaliteli feldispat konsantresi elde edilebilirliği araştırılmıştır. Numunenin mineralojik karakterizasyonunun ardından, renk verici safsızlıkların ayrılması amacıyla, -300^m tane boyutunda yüksek alan şiddetli kuru manyetik ayırma; - 212, -106 ve -74p,m tane boyutlarında yüksek alan şiddetli yaş manyetik ayırma; -106 ve -74(xm tane boyutlarında flotasyon; -106 ve -74 um tane boyutlarında flotasyon + yaş manyetik ayırma testleri uygulanmıştır. En iyi sonuçlar -106 |im tane boyutunda flotasyon ve flotasyon konsantresinin yüksek alan şiddetli yaş manyetik ayırıcıdan geçirilmesi ile elde edilmektedir. Elde edilen konsantrenin beyaz pişme rengi vermesine karşın, malzemenin toplam %43,37'sinin atılması ve elde edilen konsantre K20:Na20 oranının 1,77 gibi görece düşük değerlerde kalması nedenleriyle söz konusu cevherin zenginleştirilmesi amacıyla kurulacak bir tesisin günümüz pazar koşullarında "riskli" sayılabilecek bir yatırım olacağı düşünülmektedir.

The possibilities of the production of high quality potassium feldspar in ceramics and porcelain industry from Kırşehir district (Balışeyh, Ağaçören, Başköy) were investigated. The results showed that it is possible to produce a first quality K-feldspar containing %10,4-11,5 K20, %2,1-2,8 Na20, %0,6-1,3 CaO, %0,01-0,2 MgO, %0,18-0,24 Fe203 and %0,01-0,03 Ti02 from coarse fractions which were wet screened and ground to -0,6 mm by dry magnetic separation. Moreover, high quality K-feldspar containing %13,01 K20, %2,28 Na20, %0,61 CaO, %0,01 MgO, % 0,16 Fe203 ve %0,002 Ti02 was also produced from the samples taken from Balışeyh, Beyobası district by flotation. The undersize fraction (-5,6 mm) which is not suitable for production of high quality potassium feldspar can be used as plaster sand and slime fraction (-75 urn) may be used as raw material in brick and tile production, Bu çalışmada, Kırşehir masifinin değişik bölgelerinden (Balışeyh, Ağaçören, Başköy) alınan "altere granit" numunelerinden seramik ve porselen endüstrilerinde kullanılan kaliteli potasyum feldispatın üretilebilirliği araştırılmıştır. Sonuçlar, özellikle yaş elenerek ayrılan iri fraksiyonların (örneğin, +5,6 mm ve bazı bölgelerde +9 mm), -0,6mm'ye öğütüldükten sonra kuru manyetik ayırma ile %10,4-11,5 K20, %2,1-2,8 Na20, %0,6-1,3 CaO, %0,01-0,2 MgO, %0,18-0,24 Fe203 ve %0,01-0,03 Tİ02 içeren birinci kalite sırlık potasyum feldispat üretilebileceğini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, Balışeyh, Beyobası bölgesindeki iri fraksiyonların -0,3 mm'ye öğütülmesini takiben yapılan flotasyon çalışmaları ile %13,01 K20, %2,28 Na20, %0,61 CaO, %0,01 MgO, % 0,16 Fe203 ve %0,002 Ti02 içeren birinci kalite sırlık potasyum feldispat üretilebilmektedir. Bu çalışma sonunda ince fraksiyon olarak ayrılan -5,6 mm'nin sıva kumu, şlam olarak ayrılan -75um fraksiyonun da kiremit-tuğla hammaddesi olarak kullanılması mümkündür

WOS: 000378835200012, In this study, manganese (Mn) doped Calcium Tetraborate (CaB4O7) samples were prepared by the wet chemical method. Under beta irradiated, CaB4O7:Mn showed thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) glow peaks at approximately 85 degrees C and 220 degrees C with a heating rate of 5 degrees C/s. Peak shape (PS) and various heating rates (VHR) methods were applied for determining the trap parameters such as order of kinetic (b), activation energy (E) and frequency factor (s). The results indicate that the main dosimetric peak of CaB4O7:Mn follows the second-order kinetic model. The thermal fading ratio of the material is around 15% at the end of one month period of storage. The results of the TL studies carried out on the CaB4O7:Mn dosimeter revealed that it has high sensitivity, which makes it very valuable in various dosimetric applications like space, medical, personal dosimetry and dating. Radioluminescence (RL) of CaB4O7:Mn was also studied. It is shown that the RL spectrum contains a wide band centered at 530 nm assigned to Mn2+ ion emission. A broad band emission feature peaked at 350 nm assigned to the non-bridging oxygen hole center (NBOHC) is also discussed and a model is proposed to explain this broad band feature. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000374605100014, PubMed ID: 26943903, In this paper, the influence of a series of rare earth (Eu, Tm, Nd) and Cr ion doping on the optical properties of BGO was investigated by means of photoluminescence (PL) from visible to IR region in the 10-300 K temperature range using different types of detectors, namely, photomultiplier tube (PMT), InGaAs (IGA), and Si. Several samples were investigated having dopants concentrations of 03 wt%Nd, 0.4 wt%Tm, 0.06 wt% Cr and 3 ppm Eu. The PL spectra of the samples showed different luminescence behaviour which is assigned to the 4f intra shell transition from rare earth ions. The temperature dependence of the PL from rare earth doped BGO crystals is also examined. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000352663500055, The physical characterization and phosphor emission spectra are presented for CaSO4 doped with Tm and Cu. All spectral wavelengths are related to electronic transitions of Tm3+ ions. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the compound exhibits orthorhombic structure and all reflections were indexed without any other secondary impurity phases. Chemical and structural properties of the samples have been characterized by means of Raman spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) with an attached X-ray energy dispersive system (EDS). Group frequencies concept is essential point to the interpretation of the bands due to the main SO4 vibrational units and these displayed main characteristic intensive Raman bands including typical strong intensity at 1016 cm(-1) that corresponds to v(1)SO(4) vibrational mode. From the spatially-resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) spectrum, main emission bands of Tm3+ centered at 346, 362, and 452 nm, due to the respective transitions of P-3(0) -> H-3(4), D-1(2) -> H-3(6), D-1(2) -> F-3(4) were clearly identified. The study is novel as no such CL-ESEM data are available for this doped compound. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., TUBITAK - HAS European Scientific Exchange Program [2227], This research is partly supported by the grants from TUBITAK - HAS European Scientific Exchange Program (2227). The authors would like to thank Dr. I. Kasa from Centre for Energy Research, Hungary for the phosphor materials.

L. E. Muresan [et al.], Cerium and terbium activated white emitting yttrium silicate phosphors (Y2-x-yCexTbySiO5) having average size between 96 and 123 nm were synthesised by a gel-combustion, and their phase and crystal structures, morphologies and ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopic properties were studied. All rare earth doped yttrium silicate (YSO) phosphors are well crystallized powders containing only monoclinic X2-Y2SiO5 phase. No significant changes in the cell parameters were observed with increasing of Tb amount as ionic radii of Tb3+ (0.923 Å) and Y3+ (0.9 Å) have almost the same. Under different excitations, YSO:Ce3+ exhibits blue emission due to the 5d-4f transitions of Ce3+ ions. The series of emission states at different wavelengths of YSO:Tb3+ associated to f-f transition of Tb3+ ion were detected from luminescence measurements. The emission observed at 544 nm (green) corresponding to 5D4 ¿ 7F5 of Tb3+ is strongest one. Incorporation of variable amounts of Tb3+ in the YSO host lattice determines the modification of emission colour from blue through light blue and eventually to bluish green. A possible energy transfer mechanism taking place from Ce3+ to Tb3+ was also discussed in terms of excitation and emission spectra. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.

WOS: 000379559700017, PubMed ID: 27235885, Here, we report our results referring to the preparation of Ce doped Y2.22MgGa2Al2SiO12, Y1.93MgAl4SiO12 and Y2.22Gd0.75Ga2Al3O12 using solid state reaction at high temperature. Several complementary methods (i.e. powder x-ray diffraction (XRPD), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)) were studied to examine the effects of the synthesis procedure on the morphology and structure. XRD analyses revealed that all compounds include yttrium aluminate phase with garnet structure. Cathodoluminescence (CL), radioluminescence (RL) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements were carried out for clarification of relationship between host lattice defects and the spectral luminescence emissions. Luminescence emission of phosphors is peaked at 530 nm assigned to 5d-4f transitions of the dopant Ce3+ ions with a broad emission band in 400-700 nm range. Under electron irradiation, the emission spectrum of Ce doped (YGd)(3)Ga2Al3O12 is well defined and has a characteristic fairly narrow and sharp emission band peaking at 312 nm and 624 nm corresponding to transition of P-6(7/2) -> S-8(7/2) and (6)G(J) -> P-6(J) (Gd3+), respectively. We suggest some of phosphors might be excellent phototherapy phosphor materials under electron excitation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS - UEFISCDI [PN-II-RU-TE-2012-3-0360], This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS - UEFISCDI, project number PN-II-RU-TE-2012-3-0360.

WOS: 000369581800062, Herein, we primarily focus on luminescence spectrum measurements of various types of green emitting yttrium aluminate phosphors modified with gallium (Y3Al5-xGaxO12) synthesised by solid state reaction. The luminescent emission of samples depends on sample temperature and excitation radiation such as incident X-ray, electron and laser beam. Here, we measured radioluminescence (RL), cathodoluminescence (CL), photoluminescence (PL) along with XRD in order to clarify relationship between lattice defects and the spectral luminescence emissions. The RL and CL spectra of YAG:Ce exhibit an emission band ranging from 300 to 450 nm related to Y-Al antisite defects. The broad emission band of garnet phosphors is shifted from 526 nm to 498 nm with increasing of Ga3+ content, while full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the band tends to be greater than the width of unmodified YAG: Ce garnet. Deconvolution of the spectrum reveals that three emission bands centred at 139, 234 and 294 degrees C occur in aluminate host garnets. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background: currently, there are no reliable clinical tools available for predicting asthma in pre-school-aged children with recurrent wheezing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum periostin, YKL-40, and osteopontin biomarkers in wheezy pre-school-aged children for predicting the development of asthma in school ages. Methods: the study was prospectively conducted between 2011 and 2017. The clinical features of the pre-school-aged children with recurrent wheezing and the levels of serum periostin, YKL-40, and osteopontin were measured. The same participants were reevaluated in school-age period, and participants with asthma were identified. Relative risk (RR) for the development of asthma was analyzed. Results: of the 197 pre-school-aged children with recurrent wheezing who were reevaluated in school-age years, 32% of them had asthma. Serum periostin, YKL-40, and osteopontin levels at admission could not predict participants who would have asthma symptoms in school-age years. The RR for continuing of asthma symptoms was higher in participants who had their first wheezing episode before 1 year of age, preterm birth, cesarean section delivery, prenatal smoking exposure, multi-trigger wheezing, parental asthma, modified asthma predictive index positivity, prophylactic vitamin D intake < 12 months, breastfeeding times 12 month, and aeroallergen sensitivity [RR (95% CI) and P value: 2.813 (1.299-6.091), 0,002; 1.972 (1.274-3.052), 0.009; 1.929 (1.195-3.114), 0.004; 2.232 (1.463-3.406), NA

INTRODUCTION Pulse transit time (PTT) is the duration that a pulse wave takes to travel between two different arterial points, and it may be useful in estimating blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the PTT during carotid artery stenting, as well as its value in blood pressure estimation. METHOD Thirty-four patients with critical carotid artery stenosis were enrolled in this study. The carotid PTT from the onset of the R-wave of electrocardiography to the pulse waveform at the carotid artery, obtained invasively during carotid artery catheterization, was measured. The carotid PTT was measured before and after stenting of the internal carotid artery. RESULTS The mean age was 70.4±8.0 years among the 34 patients enrolled (eight female patients, 21.9%). Measurements were obtained before and after carotid artery stenting. The heart rate (85.9±15.9 vs. 76.9±12.5 bpm, P

WOS: 000324823000018, In the present study, the structural and optical properties of SrSnO3 doped with Tb ions are reported. Novel SrSnO3:Tb3+ phosphors were conventionally synthesized using a solid state reaction process under a mildly reduced atmosphere (5% H-2 and 95% N-2). The crystal structures, morphologies and optical properties of the resultant materials have been characterised by experimental techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), Photoluminescence (PL), Radioluminescence (RL) and Cathodoluminescence coupled to an ESEM (ESEM-CL). The new phosphor material has good crystallization without any impurity phases, which matches with the standard JCPDS files (No. 22-1442) from XRD analysis. The PL, RL and CL measurements taken at room temperature showed that the transitions of D-5(4) to F-7(J) (j = 6, 5, 4, 3) corresponding to the typical 4f -> 4f dipole forbidden intra-configurational transitions of Tb3+ are largely independent of the host material. The green emissions of the D-5(4) -> F-7(5) magnetic dipole transition at similar to 540 nm are predominant for three types of luminescence. PL emission spectra recorded in the temperature range from 10 K to 300 K were influenced by temperature. We report anomalies in the PL spectra of SrSnO3:Tb3+ compatible with a structural phase transition at 260 K while simultaneously exciting and cooling the sample. This work clearly confirms the existence of a phase transition discovered by Singh et al. in SrSnO3 at 270 K. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000321811900006, In the present work, the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of bismuth germanate (BGO) doped with trivalent rare earth element (REE) ions with different doping concentrations (0.03wt% Eu, 0.4wt% Tm, and 1.1wt% Nd) are reported in the temperature range from 10 to 300K using different detectors, namely, photomultiplier tube (PMT), InGaAs (IGA), and Si. The luminescence in the NIR region was also measured at room temperature. Two broad emission bands attributed to undoped BGO were found at circa 1350 and 1800nm, respectively. The broad-band emissions are replaced by narrow-band line emissions defined by the trivalent rare earth dopants. The emission spectra from rare earth ion-doped BGO extend from 500 to 2000nm. Rare earth ions act as the dominant recombination centers and define the emission spectra. This is interpreted as resulting from direct charge transfer from intrinsic defect traps to rare earth recombination centers. The temperature-dependent luminescence of BGO doped with 0.4wt% Tm is also presented.

WOS: 000340610800013, High summer temperature negatively affects cotton yield, and better understanding of genetic mechanisms of heat stress responses in cotton may facilitate development of new heat tolerant cultivars. We attempted to determine heat responsive genes in cotton using tolerant (Stoneville 453, BA 119) and susceptible (Nazilli 84S) cultivars. Twenty five expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were sequenced and studied for gene homology. Sixteen ESTs were significantly similar to known genes, whereas eight ESTs were similar to not annotated cDNA clones and 1 EST did not show homology to any known gene. Expression of some ESTs was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and IAA-ala hydrolase (IAR3), folylpolyglutamate synthase (FPGS3), and two not annotated ESTs (GhHS126 and GhHS128) were consistently up-regulated under both short- and long-term heat stress. Since cotton is considered relatively more heat tolerant than most of the other crops, it can be suggested that these genes and ESTs could play a significant role in heat tolerance. In addition, GhHS126 and GhHS128 might be parts of the new candidate genes for heat tolerance., Turkish Republic Prime Ministry State Planning Organization (DPT) [2003KL20590]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [110O228], The authors gratefully acknowledge grants from the Turkish Republic Prime Ministry State Planning Organization (DPT), Project No: 2003KL20590 and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Project No. 110O228. Gratitude is extended to Dr. Mustafa Erayman for allowing us to use his laboratory for RT-qPCR studies.