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Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate the familial and somatic mutations as well as polymorphisms of TP53 gene in patients with uterine leiomyoma. Methods The study included 35 women with histologically diagnosed as uterine leiomyomas at the Gynecology Department of Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine. Tissue and blood samples were analyzed for mutations and polymorphisms of TP53 gene by next generation sequencing (Miseq-Illumina). Acquired data was compared with the normal data in Ensembl database. Data from 1000 genome project and data from exome sequencing analyses in Intergen Genetic Diagnosis Center (Ankara) were used as controls for polymorphism analyses. Results There were no mutations in tissue and blood samples. However, when the polymorphisms were evaluated, a significant difference was found in NM_000546.5(TP53):c.215C > G (p.Pro72Arg) polymorphism between the study and control groups. The results indicated that P72R/P72R genotype increased the risk of leiomyoma development by 6.3 fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.880-13.793). There was a negative correlation between P72R/WT genotype and leiomyoma development (OR = 0.261, 95% CI: 0.114-0.596). P72R/P72R genotype was statistically higher in the patients with leiomyoma compared with the controls and 1000 genomes from Asian, European and World populations. Conclusion The results of the present study suggested that P72R/P72R genotype may be associated with development of uterine leiomyoma in the Turkish population in the Western part of the country.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a promising photovoltaic (PV) technology, where the evolution of the electron-selective layers (ESLs), an integral part of any PV device, has played a distinctive role to their progress. To date, the mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2 )/compact TiO2 stack has been among the most used ESLs in state-of-the-art PSCs. However, this material requires high-temperature sintering and may induce hysteresis under operational conditions, raising concerns about its use toward commercialization. Recently, tin oxide (SnO2 ) has emerged as an attractive alternative ESL, thanks to its wide bandgap, high optical transmission, high carrier mobility, suitable band alignment with perovskites, and decent chemical stability. Additionally, its low-temperature processability enables compatibility with temperature-sensitive substrates, and thus flexible devices and tandem solar cells. Here, the notable developments of SnO2 as a perovskite-relevant ESL are reviewed with emphasis placed on the various fabrication methods and interfacial passivation routes toward champion solar cells with high stability. Further, a techno-economic analysis of SnO2 materials for large-scale deployment, together with a processing-toxicology assessment, is presented. Finally, a perspective on how SnO2 materials can be instrumental in successful large-scale module and perovskite-based tandem solar cell manufacturing is provided.

A numerical simulation model has been developed which enables one to examine the effects of surface mass transfer resistance on the evaluation of permeation (P*), diffusion (D), and solubility (S) coefficients from unsteady-state mass transfer experiments as well as the transmission rate. A complementary analytical expression has been developed which validates the numerical model and facilitates the evaluation of the concentration dependence of P*, D, and S from sequential step-change experiments, under experimental conditions when the surface mass transfer resistance can be neglected.

Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of apelin, a newly discovered adipocytokine, in relation with tumor markers, metabolic profile and clinicopathologic features of patients with endometrial cancer. Material and Methods A total of 46 women with endometrial cancer and 44 controls were eligible for the study. Clinicopathologic features and metabolic profile as well as apelin-36 levels were evaluated in each subject. Results Women with endometrial cancer exhibited higher serum concentrations of apelin levels than controls (215.1 ± 59.8 pg/mL vs 177.3 ± 55.2 pg/mL, P = 0.002). Apelin levels were significantly correlated positively with body mass index, fasting insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment index (P 160 pg/mL, and diabetes mellitus were found to be associated with risk of endometrial cancer. Conclusion The data of the present study suggest that higher levels of circulating apelin are associated with an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer in obese women.

Sr 4−x Al 14 O 25 :xEu 3+ (x varies from 0.02 to 0.06) phosphors were prepared at high temperature via solid-state method. The crystal structure of Sr 4 Al 14 O 25 :Eu 3+ was determined to be orthorhombic crystal system with Pmmm space group. The excitation spectrum of Sr 3.96 Al 14 O 25 :0.04Eu 3+ shows four excitation bands at 308 nm, 360 nm, 383 nm, and 411 nm, respectively. The first excitation band, which is centered at 308 nm, is assigned to the charge-transfer (CTLM) band of Eu 3+ -O 2− , and others are assigned to intra-4f transitions between 393 nm and 450 nm. The emission spectrum of Sr 3.96 Al 14 O 25 :0.04Eu 3+ exhibits a series of emission bands which are attributed to the 5 D 0 - 7 F j (j = 0–4) transitions of Eu 3+ ions. The luminescence studies revealed that the Eu 3+ ions show high luminescence efficiency in emitting red light at 616 nm. The thermo-luminescence glow curve of Sr 3.96 Al 14 O 25 :0.04Eu 3+ shows three overlapped glow peaks between 100 °C and 400 °C which are related to the defects at different trap depths. One of the selected glow curves was analyzed by using glow curve deconvolution (GCD) method. In order to explore the related kinetic parameters of P1 Gartia, Singh & Mazumdar peak shape (PS) method was also used.

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine which has recently been included in the national immunization schedule on the nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in a group of healthy Turkish children. This is the first study determining the efficacy of this vaccine in Turkey. Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight children who had completed their pneumococcal vaccination series and 109 unvaccinated control subjects aged 12–59 months were included in the study between October 2007 and April 2008. A single nasopharyngeal swab sample was obtained from each subject. Results: S. pneumoniae was isolated in 32 (12.9%) of 247 subjects. No significant differences were detected in pneumococcal carriage rate between the vaccinees and controls (10.1% vs 16.5%). Prevalence of vaccine type (VT) carriage was statistically lower in the vaccinated group than the controls while non-vaccine type carriage (NVT) was similar. Most frequently isolated vaccine serotype was 23F in the vaccinated group and 19F in the non-vaccinated group. Of the isolated S. pneumoniae, 13.3% were penicillin susceptible and 86.7% were non-susceptible. Vaccinees and controls did not differ statistically with respect to carriage rate of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae. All the pneumococcal isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, vancomycin, rifampicin and quinolones. Conclusion: Seven-valent conjugate vaccine induces long-term protection against carriage of VT S. pneumoniae in Turkish children. The ability of the conjugate vaccine to reduce transmission of antibiotic resistant S. pneumoniae may be possible if its introduction is coupled with a reduction in inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Background Iron-mediated cardiomyopathy is the main cause of death in thalassemia patients. Early detection of cardiac abnormalities is important as aggressive chelation therapy may improve prognosis in these patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate left ventricular (LV) functions by tissue velocity imaging (TVI) and strain imaging (SI) in thalassemia patients without overt heart failure. Methods At total of 32 patients with β-thalassemia major (mean age: 24.2±8.0 y, 22 male) and 25 healthy controls (mean age: 22.8±2.1 y, 20 male) were included. Conventional echocardiography, TVI, and SI were performed on all subjects. Tissue velocity imaging and SI measures included peak systolic, early and late diastolic myocardial velocities, peak systolic strain and strain rate, and early and late diastolic strain rate at the basal segments of the LV lateral and septal walls. Results There were no significant differences in LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening between the groups. However, systolic myocardial velocity of the lateral wall and systolic strain and strain rate of the septal and lateral walls were significantly lower in thalassemia patients. There was a significant negative correlation between LV mass index and systolic myocardial velocity of the lateral wall (r = − 0.29, P = .045) and septal systolic strain (r = − 0.45, P < .001). Conclusion Thalassemia patients have regional systolic dysfunction in the LV lateral and septal walls, even if they do not have overt heart failure. Strain imaging is helpful in early detection of LV systolic dysfunction in thalassemia patients. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mutual diffusion coefficients and sorption isotherms of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA) monomers in methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate copolymer (MMA-BA) have been measured by gravimetric sorption. MMA is found to have higher solubility and diffusion rates in the copolymer than BA. Sorption data for MMA were interpreted using classical Flory-Huggins thermodynamic theory with a constant interaction parameter (χ). A modified version of this theory has been applied to correlate the sorption data of BA, which exhibit a temperature and concentration-dependent χ parameter. For MMA, the isotherm data reveal enhanced polymer-solvent interactions with increasing temperature, while for BA the data indicate a drive toward phase separation with increasing temperature. Despite the difference in thermodynamic behavior, both monomers are found to exhibit Fickian diffusion and the diffusivity data are correlated reasonably well with the Vrentas-Duda free volume theory. Some deviation between the free-volume correlation and the experimental data is observed at the lowest temperature and BA concentration examined., TÜBİTAK and İYTE

The effect of glassy skin formation on the drying of semicrystalline polymers was investigated with a comprehensive mathematical model developed for multicomponent systems. Polymers with high glass-transition temperatures can become rubbery at room temperature under the influence of solvents. As the solvents are removed from the polymer, a glassy skin can form and continue to develop. The model takes into account the effects of diffusion-induced polymer crystallization as well as glassy-rubbery transitions on the overall solvent content and polymer crystallinity. A Vrentas-Duda free-volume-based diffusion scheme and crystallization kinetics were used in our model. The polymer-solvent system chosen was a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-water-methanol system. The drying kinetics of PVA films were obtained by gravimetric methods with swollen films with known water/methanol concentrations. The overall drying behaviors of the polymer system determined by our model and experimental methods were compared and found to match well., National Science Foundationfor: NSF-CTS0107168

von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen (vWF:Ag) and vWF-collagen binding activity (vWF:CBA) were measured in plasma by parallel quantitative ELISAs in normal newborns and infants (n = 71). The medians for vWF:Ag (IU/ml) and vWF:CBA (U/ml), respectively, were 1.46 and 1.91 for 2-7 day-old (n = 43), 1.22 and 1.40 for 2-4 week-old (n = 14), 1.22 and 1.15 for 2-6-month-old (n = 14) infants and 0.98 and 1.08 (n = 36) in normal adults. Elevated levels of vWF:Ag, but particularly vWF:CBA were seen for up to 4 weeks of life reaching adult levels between 2 and 6 months of life. The elevated levels of the vWF parameters indicate that caution should be exercised when interpreting laboratory data and diagnosing von Willebrand disease in newborns and young infants and warrant the use of age-specific reference ranges. The efficient haemostasis observed during early neonatal life may in part be due to the increased ability of vWF to interact with collagen.

Crystallization of semicrystalline polymer films during drying has a significant effect on the rate of solvent removal. Understanding and controlling the crystallization kinetics is important in controlling residual solvent levels and drying kinetics. The degree of crystallinity of the poly(vinyl alcohol) films during multicomponent drying was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The 1141 cm-1 band is sensitive to the degree of crystallinity of the polymer and the growth of intensity of this band was monitored as drying progressed. The results from the FTIR studies were comparable to the results obtained from differential scanning calorimetry. Studies were conducted to test the effect of initial solvent composition (water-methanol mixture), drying temperature, and polymer molecular weight on the rate of crystallization and the final crystallinity of the films. An increase in initial methanol composition increased the crystallization rate but did not affect the final degree of crystallinity. An increase in drying temperature and decrease in polymer molecular weight increased the rate of crystallization as well as the final degree of crystallinity. Based on the experimental data, rate constants for crystallization kinetics were extracted from our previously developed model based on free volume theory. The experimental data and the simulation results showed good agreement. The ability of the free volume theory to illustrate the crystallization behavior validated the model and improved its capability., National Science Foundation NSF-CTS0107168

Following immunization with hepatitis B vaccine, 39 infants were followed prospectively for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). A total of 69.2% of the infants tested positive for antigenemia at least once. Antigenemia was identified most often at 2-3 days (43.5%) and 5-6 days (43.5%) after immunization. The longest documented duration of antigenemia was 21 days. In all cases the antigenemia was transient and cleared by the 28th day post-vaccination.