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Background and Objectives: The predictive value of changes in C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and leukocyte levels, which are commonly used in the diagnosis of infection in sepsis and septic shock, remains a topic of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of changes in CRP, procalcitonin, and leukocyte counts on the prognosis of 230 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with the diagnosis of sepsis and pneumonia-related septic shock between 1 April 2022 and 31 December 2023, and to investigate whether any of these markers have a superior predictive value over the others in forecasting prognosis. Materials and Methods: This single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional observational study included patients who developed sepsis and septic shock due to community-acquired pneumonia and were admitted to the ICU. Demographic data, 1-month and 90-day mortality rates, length of stay in the ICU, discharge to the ward or an outside facility, need for dialysis after sepsis, need for invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation during the ICU stay and the duration of this support, whether patients admitted with sepsis or septic shock required inotropic agent support during their stay in the ICU and whether they received monotherapy or combination therapy with antibiotics during their admission to the ICU, the Comorbidity Index score (CCIS), CURB-65 score (confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, BP, age ≥ 65), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score were analyzed. Additionally, CRP, procalcitonin, and leukocyte levels were recorded, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate their effects on 1- and 3-month mortality outcomes. In all statistical analyses, a p-value of <0.05 was accepted as a significant level. Results: According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, low BMI, male gender, and high CCIS, CURB-65, and APACHE-II scores were found to be significantly associated with both 1-month and 3-month mortality (p < 0.05). Although there was no significant relationship between the first-day levels of leukocytes, CRP, and PCT and mortality, their levels on the third day were observed to be at their highest in both the 1-month and 3-month mortality cases (p < 0.05). Additionally, a concurrent increase in any two or all three of CRP, PCT, and leukocyte values was found to be higher in patients with 3-month mortality compared with those who survived (p = 0.004). Conclusions: In patients with pneumoseptic or pneumonia-related septic shock, the persistent elevation and concurrent increase in PCT, CRP, and leukocyte values, along with male gender, advanced age, low BMI, and high CCIS, CURB-65, and APACHE-II scores, were found to be significantly associated with 3-month mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Mitral valve regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction are cardiovascular symptoms of Marfan syndrome. There is a paucity of information on tricuspid valve regurgitation and right ventricular function. In patients with Marfan syndrome, we looked at long-term changes in right ventricular function, tricuspid valve regurgitation and freedom from tricuspid valve repair. METHODS Retrospective-observational single-centre analysis on right ventricular function and tricuspid regurgitation in Marfan patients who underwent surgery with cardioplegic arrest between 1995 and 2020. Patients were followed-up from 1st operation until death, with echocardiographic changes analysed longitudinally. Composite end point was tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) ≤16 mm, severe tricuspid regurgitation or tricuspid repair. RESULTS The study included 135 patients who underwent 193 operations, 58 of those were reoperations in 40 patients. Median age at 1st operation was 35 years [interquartile range (IQR) 26–46], median follow-up was 8.0 years (IQR 3.0–16.0) and median time to 1st reoperation was 7.5 years (IQR 3.4–12.5). The composite end point occurred in 81 observations in 40 patients, mostly as a recurrent event, after median 7.0 years (IQR 1.0–13.0). Ten-year cumulative incidence for composite end point was 22.0% (95% CI 15–31) and 9.0% (95% CI 4.4–16) for new-onset TAPSE ≤16 mm, but no significant change in TAPSE was observed at 10 years. Tricuspid regurgitation was associated with increased risk of annual progression (P  < 0.001), but not clinically relevant at 10 years. Actuarial 10-year survival was 91.1%. CONCLUSIONS In Marfan patients with a history of cardiac surgery and subsequent reoperations, the right ventricular function remains stable. The incidence of severe tricuspid regurgitation and tricuspid repair remain low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pneumonia is among the most common infectious causes of death worldwide. Mortality can reach up to 30% in pneumosepsis cases requiring intensive care unit(ICU) admission. In recent years, procalcitonin/albumin ratio(PAR) has emerged as an essential parameter for identifying critical patients. This study aimed to evaluate the role of PAR in predicting pneumosepsis in critical patients admitted to the ICU due to pneumonia. Material and Method: This study was conducted retrospectively on 300 patients requiring ICU admission due to pneumonia between June 01, 2022 and November 15, 2023, at a training and research hospital anesthesia and chest diseases intensive care units. The patients sociodemographic characteristics and vital signs were obtained from the patients physical files, while laboratory results and radiological images were examined through the hospital's internal information management system (HIMS). Results: Three hundred patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 64.97±16.64. 107 (35.6%) of the patients included in the study were female. 217 (72.4%) of the patients included in the study had pneumosepsis. 21(11%) of the patients included in the study died within 30 days of follow-up. PAR was 0.31±0.82 in patients with pneumonia and 1.56±4.96 in patients with pneumosepsis. There was a significant difference between the groups(p< 0.001). The cutoff value for PAR was determined as 0.042 with 73.3%sensitivity and 50.6%specificity. PAR was defined as a predictive factor of pneumosepsis (AUC 0.631 95%CI, 0.532-0.701; p< 0.001). Conclusion: The procalcitonin to albumin ratio can be used to predict sepsis related mortality in intensive care unit patients with pneumonia admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to report on mid-term outcomes after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in patients with Marfan (MFS) or Loeys–Dietz (LDS) syndrome. METHODS We analysed data from 2 European centres of patients with MFS and LDS undergoing EVAR. Patients were analysed based on (i) timing of the procedure (planned versus emergency procedure) and (ii) the nature of the landing zone (safe versus non-safe). The primary end-point was freedom from reintervention. Secondary end-points were freedom from stroke, bleeding and death. RESULTS A population of 419 patients with MFS (n  = 352) or LDS (n  = 67) was analysed for the purpose of this study. Thirty-nine patients (9%) underwent EVAR. Indications for thoracic endovascular aortic repair or EVAR were aortic dissection in 13 (33%) patients, aortic aneurysm in 22 (57%) patients and others (intercostal patch aneurysm, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, pseudoaneurysm, kinking of frozen elephant trunk (FET)) in 4 (10%) patients. Thoracic endovascular repair was performed in 34 patients, and abdominal endovascular aortic repair was performed in 5 patients. Mean age at 1st thoracic endovascular aortic repair/EVAR was 48.5 ± 15.4 years. Mean follow-up after 1st thoracic endovascular aortic repair/EVAR was 5.9 ± 4.4 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of reinterventions between patients with non-safe landing zone and the patients with safe proximal landing zone (P  =   0.609). Furthermore, there was no increased probability for reintervention after planned endovascular intervention compared to emergency procedures (P  =   0.916). Mean time to reintervention, either open surgical or endovascular, after planned endovascular intervention was in median 3.9 years (95% confidence interval 2.0–5.9 years) and 2.0 years (95% confidence interval –1.1 to 5.1 years) (P  =   0.23) after emergency procedures. CONCLUSIONS EVAR in patients with MFS and LDS and a safe landing zone is feasible and safe. Endovascular treatment is a viable option when employed by a multi-disciplinary aortic team even if the landing zone is in native tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good health of grapevine plants is important for productivity and sustainability of newly established vineyards, and accurate detection of bacterial and fungal pathogens is a prerequisite for managing the diseases they cause in nurseries. This study screened marketable, bare-rooted grapevine plants, obtained from different geographical regions of Türkiye, for fungal pathogens associated with grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs). In 2021, 43 grapevine nurseries located in eight provinces were surveyed to reveal the status of GTD pathogens on asymptomatic marketable plants. Fungal pathogens isolated from the roots and basal parts of asymptomatic dormant grapevines were identified using with morphological characteristics and molecular markers, and were subjected to pathogenicity tests. Six species; Cytospora viticola, Diaporthe ampelina, Diplodia seriata, Lasiodiplodia brasiliensis, Neofusicoccum parvum, and Truncatella angustata (associated with dieback), and six species; Cadophora ferruginea, Cadophora luteo-olivacea, Cadophora malorum, Phaeoacremonium minimum, Phaeoacremonium tuscanicum and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (associated with Petri disease) were identified based on DNA sequencing of ITS and TEF1-α genes. GTD pathogens were detected in 12 and 14 of the 43 nurseries, respectively. Pathogenicity tests on 1103P vines revealed that all species were pathogenic (N. parvum and C. luteo-olivacea being the most virulent), and caused significant wood necroses when compared to non-inoculated experimental controls. This is the first report of C. ferruginea, C. malorum, L. brasiliensis, and P. tuscanicum associated with GTDs in Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of Stanford type B aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and to evaluate aortic diameters at time of dissection as well as the impact of previous aortic root replacement. METHODS Analysis of all patients with MFS fulfilling Ghent criteria seen at this institution since 1995 until 2022. RESULTS Thirty-six (19%) out of 188 patients with MFS suffered from Stanford type B aortic dissection during the study period. The Mean aortic diameter at the time of dissection was 39.0 mm [95% confidence interval (CI): 35.6–42.3]. The mean pre-dissection diameter (available in 25% of patients) was 32.1 mm (95% CI: 28.0–36.3) and the mean expansion was 19% (95% CI: 11.9–26.2). There was no correlation between age and diameter at the time of dissection (<20, 21–30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60, <61 years; P  = 0.78). Freedom from intervention after dissection was 53%, 44% and 33% at 1, 5 and 10 years. Aortic growth rate in those patients that had to undergo intervention within the 1st year after dissection was 10.2 mm/year (95% CI: 4.4–15.9) compared to 5.8 mm/year (95% CI: 3.3–8.3, P  = 0.109) in those thereafter. The mean time between dissection and intervention was 1.8 years (95% CI: 0.6–3.0). While type B dissection seems more frequent after previous elective aortic repair (58% vs 42%), there was no difference between valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) compared to Bentall procedures [Hazard ratio (HR) for VSRR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.31–2.0, P -value = 0.61]. The mean age of the entire population at the end of follow-up was 42 years (95% CI: 39.2–44.7). The mean follow-up time was 9 years (95% CI: 7.8–10.4). CONCLUSIONS Stanford type B dissection in patients with MFS occurs far below accepted thresholds for intervention. Risk for type B dissection is present throughout lifetime and two-thirds of patients need an intervention after dissection. There is no difference in freedom from type B dissection between a Bentall procedure and a VSRR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The prevalence and aetiology of acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) in patients ≤30 years is unknown. The aims of this clinical study were to determine the prevalence and potential aetiology of AADA in surgically treated patients ≤30 years and to evaluate the respective postoperative outcomes in this selective group of patients in a large multicentre study. METHODS Retrospective data collection was performed at 16 participating international aortic institutions. All patients ≤30 years at the time of dissection onset were included. The postoperative results were analysed with regard to connective tissue disease (CTD). RESULTS The overall prevalence of AADA ≤30 years was 1.8% (139 out of 7914 patients), including 51 (36.7%) patients who were retrospectively diagnosed with CTD. Cumulative postoperative mortality was 8.6%, 2.2% and 1.4%. Actuarial survival was 80% at 10 years postoperatively. Non-CTD patients (n  = 88) had a significantly higher incidence of arterial hypertension (46.6% vs 9.8%; P  < 0.001) while AADA affected the aortic root (P  < 0.001) and arch (P  = 0.029) significantly more often in the CTD group. A positive family history of aortic disease was present in 9.4% of the study cohort (n  = 13). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of AADA in surgically treated patients ≤30 years is <2% with CTD and arterial hypertension as the 2 most prevalent triggers of AADA. Open surgery may be performed with good early results and excellent mid- to long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric dipole transition probabilities and oscillator strengths for singly ionized terbium (Tb II) have been calculated with the weakest bound electron potential model (WBEPM) theory using experimental energy levels and theoretical expectation values of orbital radii corresponding to those energy levels under the assumption of the Jj coupling scheme. The transition probabilities and the oscillator strengths calculated have been compared with available data in the literature. A good agreement has been obtained. In this work, the WBEPM theory has been applied to heavy atoms, such as Tb II, for the first time. PACS Nos.: 32.70.Cs, 32.10.-f, 31.15.-p. Nous calculons les probabilites de transition dipolaire electrique et les forces d'oscillateur pour du terbium simplement ionise (Tb II) a l'aide du modele theorique du potentiel de l'electron le plus faiblement lie (WBEPM) qui utilise les niveaux d'energie experimentaux et les valeurs theoriques attendues pour les rayons orbitaux correspondant a ces niveaux d'energie sous l'hypothese du couplage Jj. Nous comparons les probabilites de transition et les forces d'oscillateur calculees avec les donnees disponibles dans la litterature. Nous trouvons un bon accord. Ce travail marque la premiere fois oU WBEPM est utilise pour des atomes lourds comme le Tb II. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Deficiency of atomic data, such as transition probabilities, oscillator strengths, and lifetimes for the rare earth elements, especially for terbium, exist in the literature. Calculations of these parameters are [...]

The lifetimes of some excited levels for singly ionized nitrogen are calculated by using the weakest bound electron potential model theory and quantum defect orbital theory. We determined expectation values of radii using numerical nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock wave functions. The necessary energy values have been taken from NIST. The present results have been compared with previous calculations and experiments. Most of the lifetime results are presented for the first time in the present work. For NII, because there are few lifetime results available in the literature, the present study compared to existing investigations, provides detailed results for the lifetimes of several of the excited 2[s.sup.2]2pns, 2[s.sup.2]2pnp, and 2[s.sup.2]2pd [right arrow] 2[s.sup.2]2[p.sup.2] where, n = 3-6 for the ns series, n = 3-5 for the nd series and n = 3-4 for the np series. PACS Nos.: 32.70.Cs, 32.10.-f, 31.15.-p. Nous calculons les temps de vie de certains niveaux excites de l'azote ionise une fois, en utilisant la theorie du potentiel de l'electron le moins lie et la theorie d'orbitale a defaut quantique. Nous determinons les valeurs moyennes des rayons, en utilisant les fonctions d'onde numeriques de Hartree-Fock non relativiste. Les valeurs d'energie requises sont celles du NIST. Nous comparons nos resultats avec des resultats de calculs anterieurs et avec des resultats experimentaux. La plupart des temps de vie presentes sont publies pour la premiere fois. Puisqu'il y a peu de resultats disponibles pour N II dans la litterature, ce travail, compare a d'autres etudes, fournit des resultats detailles pour les temps de vie des etats excites 2[s.sup.2]2pns, 2[s.sup.2]2pnpet2s22pd [right arrow] 2[s.sup.2]2[p.sup.2], ou n = 3-6 pour les series ns, n = 3-5 pour les series ndet n = 3-4 pour les series np. [Traduit par la Redaction], 1. Introduction Nitrogen is among the most abundant elements on the Earth and in stars is one of the lightest atoms. The determination of physical properties of singly ionized nitrogen [...]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore sex and gender differences regarding aortic events in Marfan patients. METHODS We analysed all data from our connective tissue disorder database. Only patients with Marfan syndrome were included. For analysis, patients were divided by sex. Female patients were further divided into 2 subgroups: with versus without children. Aortic events were defined as Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) or type B aortic dissection (TBAD) or any aortic intervention. RESULTS A population of 183 Marfan patients was analysed for the purpose of this study. One hundred four (57%) were male and 79 (43%) were female patients. Thirty-seven (47%) of the 79 female patients had at least 1 child. Male patients had a significantly higher probability of experiencing an aortic event (P  = 0.015) compared to female patients. However, there was no increased probability for recurrent events in male patients compared to female patients (P  = 0.063). Follow-up revealed no sex and gender differences in the occurrence of Stanford TAAD or TBAD between male and female patients (P  = 0.324/ P  = 0.534). While 11% of women with children suffered from peripartum aortic events, 24% experienced Stanford TAAD unrelated to pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Male patients have a higher risk of aortic events than female patients. The majority of women were not aware of their Marfan syndrome diagnosis before conceiving. One out of 10 women suffered from peripartum Stanford TAAD or TBAD. Twice as many female patients with children suffered from aortic dissection unrelated to childbirth. There were no sex and gender differences affecting mortality in Marfan patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third most common cause of death worldwide. It is important to prevent this problem from a human as well as an economic point of view. With ever-increasing number of people requiring hospitalization, there is a need to increase intervention and treatment facilities and to develop new treatment approaches necessary to reduce mortality. We evaluated the course of the disease of patients who were already admitted to the intensive care unit with respiratory failure due to COPD, underwent acute exacerbation requiring intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Methodology: Our study included 149 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit with respiratory failure due to COPD exacerbation only, who underwent intubation and IMV while being followed up in the intensive care unit. The demographic data of patients diagnosed with COPD before hospitalization, length of stay in the intensive care unit and service, comorbid diseases, type of respiratory support device before IMV, current pneumonia status during exacerbation, and laboratory values were recorded. The relationship between the in-hospital exacerbation in COPD and the prognosis was evaluated. Results: The mean intensive care unit stay of these patients was 3.74 ± 4 days. Reintubation was needed in 56 patients (37.6%), 30 patients (20%) could not survive. A statistically significant difference was found between pneumonia developing in the hospital and the mortality (P = .01). Conclusion: While studies are ongoing for the prevention of COPD exacerbations, more studies are needed to develop approaches and treatments for patients with COPD who develop acute respiratory failure due to their existing disease and need intensive care, as the associated mortality is very high. Abbreviations: COPD - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; IMV - Invasive mechanical ventilation; HFNC - High Flow Nasal Cannula; NIMV - Non-invasive mechanical ventilation; CRP – C-Reactive protein; GOLD - Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first years of the Republic of Turkey was a process when, on one hand, revolutions based on social transformations were carried out and, on the other hand, administrative regulations based on institutional transformations were introduced. Atatürk went on a nationwide tour in the years 1930-1931 in order to see on site to what extent central government policies are realized and listen to the citizens. This study discusses the report prepared by the Ministry of Interior as required by the notes taken by Atatürk during his nationwide tour. The report prepared by the Ministry of Interior involves quite significant data concerning many issues such as the reconsideration of the administrative division of Turkey, authorities of governors, land reform in Turkey, statistical data regarding the transition of the nomads into settled life, functioning of the local authorities and public investigators. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the literature by revealing the administrative structure and demographic characteristics of the period, administrative issues, and alternative solutions on the basis of the information supplied by this report which was prepared by the highest authorities of the period and presented to Prime Ministry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black foot disease, which is mainly caused by Ilyonectria Chaverri & Salgado and Dactylonectria L. Lombard & Crous species, causes serious destruction in most of the wine and grape producing regions of the world, particularly in nurseries and young vineyards. The aim of this research was to evaluate the present situation of black foot disease in grapevine nurseries (Vitis Vinifera L.), to identify its potential agents at morphological and molecular levels and to develop a control strategy against isolates found as the major virulent ones in pathogenicity tests. This study also represents the first attempt to control black foot disease in grapevine saplings in Turkey. Preliminary surveys were carried out in 21 grapevine nurseries in the Aegean Region during 2019 growing season. Black foot species obtained from vine saplings were identified as Ilyonectria liriodendri (Halleen, Rego & Crous), Dactylonectria macrodidyma (Halleen, Schroers & Crous) and D. torresensis (A. Cabral, Rego & Crous), using morphological and molecular methods. The pathogenicity studies revealed that the most virulent isolates belonged to I. liriodendri. Twelve chemical and one biological fungicides were screened in vitro for mycelial inhibition of I. liriodendri isolates. The experiments were performed in three replicates for each of the chemical fungicides. Sterile distilled water, instead of fungicide solution, was used for control trials. Mixtures of cyprodinil + fludioxonil, thiabendazole + fludioxonil + metalaxyl–m + azoxystrobin and azoxystrobin + metalaxyl-m + fludioxonil were the most effective chemical fungicides tested in mycelial inhibition of I. liriodendri isolates. Chemical fungicides mixtures of boscalid + kresoxim-methyl, promocarb hydrochloride (HCL) + fosetyl-al, azoxystrobin + difenoconazole, fludioxonil + metalaxyl–m and individual fungicides; cyprodinil, fluoxapyroxad, hymexazole, fenhexamid and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate were not effective on mycelial inhibition. Biocontrol activity of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai KRL-AG2 strain against I. liriodendri was evaluated. The experiment was performed in four replicates for each isolate. Petri dishes with only I. liriodendri mycelial discs used as controls. Treatment with Trichoderma harzianum Rifai KRL-AG2 strain provided 60.1% to 80.6% inhibition against I. liriodendri isolates. The most effective fungicides tested in vitro were evaluated in 2020 and 2021 under controlled conditions against possible infections of I. liriodendri during the rooting process of 1103 Paulsen grapevine rootstocks. Mixtures of thiabendazol + fludioxonil + metalaxyl–m + azoxystrobin and cyprodinil + fludioxonil were the most effective fungicides in the experiments conducted in 2020 and 2021, followed by azoxystrobin + metalaxyl-m + fludioxonil and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai KRL-AG2 strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Management Academy is the property of Uluslararasi Yonetim Akademisi Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to realize the molecular identification of Diplodia seriata De Not., a member of the Botryosphaericea family, isolated from 2-10 years old vines in vineyards showing symptoms of dieback disease. The susceptibility of the pathogen against the fungicides with the fosetyl-Al+triadimenol, azoxystorbin+difecanozole, fludioxanil+cyprodinil, metrafenone, fluopyram+tebuconazole combinations were evaluated. The isolates obtained from the root and crown parts of the vine samples were identified as D. seriata according to the morphological and molecular methods. In molecular identification, the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) and TUB2 (β-tubulin) gene regions of the isolates were amplified by Real-Time PCR and the nucleotide sequences were obtained in these gene regions. After using the MEGA 7 software, ITS and TUB2 sequences were aligned and a combined phylogenetic tree was made. It has been molecularly confirmed that the D. seriata isolate has a 100% similarity index with Diplodia species according to the phylogenetic analyses. The mean effective concentration (EC50) values of fungicides used with different concentrations (0, 1, 3, 10, 30, 50, 100 μL mL-1) were determined by Probit analysis. Cyprodinil + fludioxonil showed the highest efficacy (100%) at a concentration of 1 μL mL-1. According to EC50 values, cyprodinil + fludioxonil (0.001 μL mL-1) was recorded as the most effective fungicide followed by fluopyram + tebuconazole (0.520 μL mL-1) and, azoxystrobin + difenoconazole (2.958 μL mL-1), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sentinel lymph node spread is a crucial factor in melanoma outcome. We aimed to define the impact of minimal cancer spread and of increasing numbers of disseminated cancer cells on melanoma-specific survival. Methods and Findings: We analyzed 1,834 sentinel nodes from 1,027 patients with ultrasound node-negative melanoma who underwent sentinel node biopsy between February 8, 2000, and June 19, 2008, by histopathology including immunohistochemistry and quantitative immunocytology. For immunocytology we recorded the number of disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) per million lymph node cells (DCC density [DCCD]) after disaggregation and immunostaining for the melanocytic marker gp100. None of the control lymph nodes from non-melanoma patients (n = 52) harbored gp100-positive cells. We analyzed gp100-positive cells from melanoma patients by comparative genomic hybridization and found, in 45 of 46 patients tested, gp100-positive cells displaying genomic alterations. At a median follow-up of 49 mo (range 3-123 mo), 138 patients (13.4%) had died from melanoma. Increased DCCD was associated with increased risk for death due to melanoma (univariable analysis;p Conclusions: Cancer cell dissemination to the sentinel node is a quantitative risk factor for melanoma death. A model based on the combined quantitative effects of DCCD, tumor thickness, and ulceration predicted outcome best, particularly at longer follow-up. If these results are validated in an independent study, establishing quantitative immunocytology in histopathological laboratories may be useful clinically., Introduction For melanoma staging, sentinel node biopsy has been established to assess melanoma cell dissemination and has become the most widely used procedure to determine the regional lymph node status [...]

OBJECTIVES Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide The goal of this study was to report the long-term outcomes of patients with Marfan syndrome who had aortic surgery on any aortic segment except for the replacement of the aortic root itself. METHODS An observational retrospective single-centre study was conducted with 115 Marfan syndrome patients who underwent 189 major aortic interventions from 1995 until 2018. Patients without aortic root replacement were identified and aortic root growth was analysed over time. RESULTS Eleven of 115 patients (9.5%) did not have aortic root replacement during a follow-up of 10.5 [standard deviation (SD) 5.7] years and a mean age at last follow-up of 53.9 (SD 13.4) years. Patients without root replacement did not suffer less frequently from any type of acute aortic dissection (type A 27% vs 25%, P  = 0.999; type B 36% vs 25%, P  = 0.474). Patients with native aortic roots did not undergo fewer aortic interventions than those with aortic root replacement [12/11, mean 1.09 (SD 0.54) operations/patient vs 177/104, mean 1.7 (SD 1.3); P  = 0.128]. Progression of the aortic root dimension was 0.5 (SD 0.3) mm/year in the group of patients with native aortic roots. CONCLUSIONS Current data suggest that 10% of patients with Marfan syndrome with previous aortic surgery will be free from aortic root replacement until the sixth decade of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Social Research / Turkiye Sosyal Arastirmalar Dergisi is the property of Turkish Journal of Social Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mutefekkir, Faculty of Islamic Sciences is the property of Aksaray University, Faculty of Islamic Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, we carried out with the DTP (dithieno(3,2-b:2,3-d) pyrrole) molecule which is a member of the conductive polymer class that is one of the topics that have been studied prevalently in recent times, and the density functional theory's (DFT) calculation methods were used to shed light on the sensor mechanisms of its interactions with SOx (SO2 and SO3) sulfur oxides. The changes in the geometric and electronic characteristics of a sensor mechanism designed with the DTP molecule when it encountered sulfur oxides were examined. With these changes, the usability of DTP as a sensor material was proven. DTP sensor applications using this method were not investigated in previous studies. The B3LYP 6–31 G(d) levels of DFT were used in the calculations. In the calculations, during the interaction between analyte (SO2-SO3) and the conductive polymer DTP (dithieno(3,2-b:2,3-d) pyrrole), especially, the changes in its geometric and electronic structures were observed. With these changes that were observed in the geometric structure, as a result of the interaction between the conductive polymer and gas molecules, the resistance on the polymer's main chain decreased, and conductivity increased. Calculations on the bandgap on HOMO-LUMO energy levels were observed to decrease. Thus, the structural conductivity of the molecule increased. Additionally, the experiments showed that, as a result of interaction with gas molecules, the bandgap in the ionization potential, electron affinity, and HOMO-LUMO energy levels varied. These variations showed the detection mechanisms for sulfur oxides by the DTP (dithieno(3,2-b:2,3-d) pyrrole) molecule that may be used to design sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether Bayesian Analysis (BA) predicts malignancy with similar specificity and sensitivity values in both subgroups of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) and to compare PET-CT findings in solid and subsolid subgroups of PET-CT scanned SPNs. Study Design: An observational study. Setting: Department of Chest Diseases, Ankara Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital. Period: February 2013 to February 2016. Materials and Methods: 156 patients with SPNs and whose histopathological diagnosis confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy biopsy, transthoracic tru-cut biopsy or surgical methods were evaluated retrospectively. BA and PET-CT findings of nodules were evaluated. Results: 73.3% of male patients and 80% of females with subsolid SPN were diagnosed malignant. BA was statistically significantly found to be consistent with definitive diagnosis in Kappa compliance analysis in solid and nonsolid nodules (p <0.005 kappa = 0.604; p = 0.023 kappa = 0.358). The sensitivity of BA in solid and subsolid nodules was 63.6% and 80%, respectively, while their specificity was 93.4% and 73%, respectively. Positive predictive values (PPVs) were found to be 84% in solid nodules and 36% in subsolid nodules. Negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated as 83% in solid nodules and 95% in subsolid nodules. In the patients with SPN included in our study, Kappa compliance analysis was performed separately in the solid and subsolid subgroups of patients who underwent PET-CT. When the cut-off value of Kappa compliance analysis in solid nodules was taken 2.5, definitive diagnosis and suvmax uptake were found to be statistically consistent (p <0.005 kappa = 0.638). When the cut-off value of Kappa compliance analysis in subsolid nodules was taken to be 2.5 as malignancy value, definitive diagnosis and suvmax uptake were found to be statistically consistent as in subgroup (p=0.011 kappa=0.399). When we took PET-CT suvmax cut-off value as 2.5, sensitivity uptake and specificity of PET were found in solid nodules, to be 68.4% and 93.1%, respectively. PPV was 86.7% and NPV was 82%. The sensitivity and specificity values of subsolid subgroup were 70% and 75% respectively, whereas the PPVs and NPVs were 50% and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusion: In subsolid SPNs, as in BA, PET-CT seems to be more reliable when used exclusively in malignancy exclusion. Although a significant suvmax cut-off value was determined for malignancy, the PPV of PET-CT is lower than that of solid SPNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of a believer's attachment relationship with God for mental health, there are few measures relevant to Muslims, and little work on cross-cultural validation of such measures. The objective of the present study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Muslim Spiritual Attachment Scale (M-SAS) in Turkish Muslim samples. In analyzing the data, three different samples of college students (N = 525, N = 341, and N = 47 respectively) were used. The validity and reliability of M-SAS were examined through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, the internal consistency coefficient and the split-half reliability coefficient. Results supported a three-factor model of M-SAS with good reliability for the factors, and convergence with an alternative God Attachment measure. As a result, it may be concluded that M-SAS can be used as a valid and reliable measurement instrument in Turkish Muslim samples. The results are discussed in the light of the relevant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Erciyes Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Erciyes Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Electronic Turkish Studies is the property of Electronic Turkish Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Itobiad: Journal of the Human & Social Science Researches / İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Itobiad: Journal of the Human & Social Science Researches and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)