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Ibrahim Karadag,1 Serdar Karakaya,2 Tolga Akkan,3 Bilgin Demir,4 Ertugrul Gazi Alkurt,5 Mutlu Dogan6 1Department of Medical Oncology, Hitit University Erol Olcok Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey; 2Department of Medical Oncology, Health Science University, Atatürk Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey; 3Department of Endocrinology, Eskisehir City Hospital, Eskisehir, Turkey; 4Department of Medical Oncology, Ayd&inodot;n Atatürk Public Hospital, Ayd&inodot;n, Turkey; 5Department of Surgical Oncology, Hitit University Erol Olcok Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey; 6Department of Medical Oncology, Health Sciences University, Ankara Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, TurkeyCorrespondence: Ibrahim Karadag, Email ikaradag58@gmail.comBackground: We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of insulin resistance (IR) markers fasting triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and triglyceride high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio in HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) patients with brain metastasis (BM).Methods: In this single-center study, 120 patients who met the criteria were included. TyG and TG/HDL-C at the time of diagnosis were computed retrospectively. For TyG and TG/HDL-C, the median values of 9.32 and 2.95 were taken as the cut-off, respectively. TyG values < 9.32 and < 2.95 were considered low, and TG/HDL-C values ≥ 9.32 and ≥ 2.95 were considered high.Results: The median overall survival (OS) was 47 months (95% CI: 40.54– 53.45). Time to BM was 22 months (95% CI: 17.22– 26.73). The median time to BM was 35 months (95% CI: 20.90– 49.09) in the low TyG group and 15 months (95% CI: 8.92– 21.07) in the high TyG group (p < 0.001). The time to BM was 27 months (95% CI: 20.49– 33.50) in the low TG/HDL-C group and 20 months (95% CI: 16.76– 23.23) in the high TG/HDL-C group (p=0.084). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the TyG index (HR: 20.98, 95% CI: 7.14– 61.59, p < 0.001) was an independent risk factor for time to BM.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the TyG index could be used as a predictive biomarker at the time of diagnosis for risk of time BM in patients with HER2-positive BC. The TyG index can be used as a standard potential marker with prospective studies confirming these data.Keywords: TyG index, TG/HDL-C ratio, brain metastasis, HER2 positive breast cancer, glucose-lipid metabolism

Eco-friendly luminescent monticellite-based ceramic powders were synthesized from boron derivative waste at low temperatures. It aimed to investigate the effects of rare-earth dopants and synthesis temperature on phase evolution, photoluminescence properties, and microstructural development of Eu3+, Sm3+, and Dy3+-doped powders. The powders synthesized at 800 °C and 900 °C include the same major phases: monticellite, akermanite, and calcium magnesium borate. No rare-earth oxide clusters are observed during their microstructural analysis. However, powders produced at 800 °C give stronger emission lines than 900 °C. Eu3+-doped powders exhibited characteristic emission at 619 nm originating from the 5D0 → 7F2 transition under excitation at 248 nm, assuring CIE color coordinates of standard red light. A strong emission in the orange-red region (610 nm) is assigned to the 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 transition of Sm3+ upon excitation at 408 nm. Moreover, Dy3+-doped powders demonstrate two major emission lines at 489 nm (blue) and 583 nm (yellow) attributed to typical 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 transitions under 392 nm, providing the color coordinates of CIE (Commission International de I'Eclairage) close to white light. Therefore, RE3+-doped monticellite-based ceramic powders, produced from boron derivative waste in an eco-friendly way, carry the potential to be used as luminescent materials for lighting, display, and bioimaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has gradually increased in recent years. There have been significant developments in metastatic RCC in recent years with the introduction of immune control point inhibitors. Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-related protein (GITR) is a co-stimulatory molecule and is seen in the highest amounts in activated CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes, forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) positive regulatory T cells (Treg). GITR leads to an increase in interleukin (IL)-2 and CD25 and Interferon Gamma. It shows an anti-tumoural effect by inhibiting the suppressive functions of FOXP3+ regulatory cells (Treg). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic and predictive effect of GITR, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD4+CD8) (TIL), and FOXP3 in patients with metastatic RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with pathologically confirmed metastatic renal cancer between 2016 and 2021 were included in our study. Clinicopathological features and some laboratory tests were recorded. GITR, CD4, CD8, and FOXP3 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) from biopsies or nephrectomy material and recorded. RESULTS: The study included 41 patients. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.5 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 13.9 months. Median PFS was 7.9 months for the GITR-low group and 18.9 months for the GITR-high group. Median PFS was statistically significant and longer for the GITRhigh group than the GITR-low group (p=0.003). When patients who received nivolumab in the 2nd line were evaluated, median PFS was found to be 5.7 months in the GITR-low group and 15.7 months in the GITR-high group. Median PFS was statistically significantly higher in the GITR-high group than in the GITR-low group (p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with metastatic RCC, higher GITR was associated with better PFS. At the same time, in patients using nivolumab, better PFS was seen in the GITR high group. If supported by prospective studies, GITR can be used as both a prognostic and predictive marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chronic urticaria is a systemic inflammatory disease. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic immunological disease that is characterized by an increase in systemic inflammatory response. In several studies, chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis were reported to be associated metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the serum ghrelin levels in the patients with chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic urticaria, 30 patients with atopic dermatitis and 30 control subjects participated in this study. Blood fasting glucose and serum lipids, insulin, C-peptide levels and thyroid function tests were measured. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to calculate insulin resistance. Ghrelin levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Results: The mean serum ghrelin levels in the patients with chronic urticaria (54.13 ± 40.94 pg/mL) and atopic dermatitis (65.33 ± 93.54 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those of the controls (30.36 ± 17.13 pg/mL) (p = 0.003, p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: We detected higher serum ghrelin levels in the patients with chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis than the controls. However, we failed to find any association between serum ghrelin levels and insulin resistance or MetS. We think that the high levels of serum ghrelin in the patients with chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis may be related to the mechanisms independent of insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously reported a novel polymeric surface coating, namely, HaloFilm™ that can immobilize and extend the antimicrobial activity of chlorine on surfaces. In this study, we demonstrated the continuous antiviral efficacy of HaloFilm when applied on stainless steel and cotton gauze as two representative models for non‐porous and porous surfaces against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Forty‐eight hours post HaloFilm application and chlorination and 2 h post the viral challenge, the inoculum titre was reduced by 2.25 ± 0.33 and ≥4.36 ± 0.23 log10 TCID50 on non‐porous and porous surfaces, respectively. The half‐life of the virus was shorter (13.86 min) on a HaloFilm‐coated surface than what has been reported on copper (46.44 min). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider the Pell polynomials. We express these polynomials as complex hyperbolic functions. Using this we obtain roots of Pell polynomials. Further we give some interesting identities about images of roots of a polynomial under another member of the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the use of acrylic bone cement with a Tutopatch collagen implant for frontal sinus obliteration after mucocele excision using a subjective assessment of patient satisfaction. Methods: Patients with a recurrent frontal sinus mucocele with posterior table erosion, for whom an endoscopic approach was not feasible, and who underwent osteoplastic frontal sinus obliteration, were included. The post-operative outcomes were evaluated using a non-standardised questionnaire, comparing pre- and post-operative scores. Results: All patients expressed post-operative satisfaction. Except for hyposmia, significant improvements were observed in all symptom scores. No major complications were observed during the post-operative course. Conclusion: Acrylic bone cement with Tutopatch can be effectively used in frontal sinus reconstruction in cases where an endoscopic approach is not feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Cutaneous findings are well known in atopic dermatitis (AD), but nail changes have not received as much attention. Aim: To determine the clinical and disease‐related capillaroscopic findings of nail findings in paediatric patients with AD. Methods: In total, 100 participants aged 2–16 years were sourced from the dermatology outpatient clinic: 50 of these had been diagnosed with AD according to the Hanifin–Rajka criteria, and the others were 50 healthy controls (HCs) without AD. The AD severity score (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis; SCORAD) was calculated for all patients with AD. A digital epiluminescence device was used for nailfold capillaroscopy. Results: The nail findings detected in patients with AD were pitting, punctate leuconychia, trachyonychia, onycholysis and onychomadesis. Pitting was significantly (P < 0.01) more frequent in the patient group (26%) than in the HC group (6%). Similarly, the patient group had significantly higher rates for capillary density decrease (P < 0.01), capillary array irregularity (P < 0.001), capillary dilatation increase (P < 0.001), tortuosity (P = 0.04), ramification increase (P = 0.02), bush‐like appearance (P = 0.02) and avascular areas (P < 0.01). Significant correlations were determined between pitting and trachyonychia (P < 0.05, r = 0.21), capillary density decrease (P < 0.05, r = 0.25), avascular areas (P < 0.001; r = 0.29) and SCORAD (P < 0.05, r = 0.35). Conclusion: The nailfold capillaroscopic images of children with AD were similar to those of scleroderma spectrum disorder. Thus, we believe it would be beneficial to support detailed clinical examination of patients with a capillaroscopic examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To evaluate the spectral resolution achieved with a cochlear implant in users who were implanted using round window route electrode insertion versus a traditional cochleostomy technique. Methods: Twenty-six patients were classified into two groups according to the surgical approach: one group (n = 13) underwent cochlear implantation via the round window technique and the other group (n = 13) underwent surgery via cochleostomy. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in spectral ripple discrimination scores between the round window and cochleostomy groups. The round window group performed almost two times better than the cochleostomy group. Differences between Turkish matrix sentence test scores were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The spectral ripple discrimination scores of patients who had undergone round window cochlear implant electrode insertion were superior to those of patients whose cochlear implants were inserted using a classical cochleostomy technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of ventilation tube insertion and balloon Eustachian tuboplasty as a first line treatment for otitis media with effusion in children. Method: This was a retrospective evaluation of 62 children, 30 cases that underwent balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (group 1) and 32 cases that underwent ventilation tube insertion (group 2), from July 2016 to April 2018. Results: The pre-operative air–bone gap of patients who underwent balloon Eustachian tuboplasty was 15–35 dB (mean: 27.6 ± 8.2 dB). The mean pre-operative air–bone gap decreased to 9.6 dB after a mean of 14.4 months (p < 0.05). The air–bone gap decreased from 25.6 dB to 17.6 dB in the ventilation tube group. There was a significant improvement in the air–bone gap values in both groups; however, this decrease was significantly higher in the balloon Eustachian tuboplasty group (p = 0.043). Conclusion: Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty may be an effective and safe method for use as a first-line treatment of otitis media with effusion in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In his dermatological examination, heterogeneous red-white discoloration in all his nails, and two round onycholytic areas surrounded by erythema in the distal part of the second nail on the left hand were detected (Fig. 6 Mendez-Flores S, Zaladonis A, Valdes-Rodriguez R. COVID-19 and nail manifestation: be on the lookout for the red half-moon nail sign. Reports include half-moon-shaped transversal red bands;3 Beau lines;4 leukonychia in addition to Beau lines;5 and red half-moon nail signs.6 This case report describes nail symptoms detected in a patient who applied to the dermatology outpatient clinic. [Extracted from the article]

This study was conducted to determine the spray angle and flow uniformity of different hydraulic spray nozzles at different spray pressures with the aid of image processing operations. Spray images were captured with a digital camera to determine spray angles and spray patterns. Captured images were transferred to computer environment and analyzed with different image processing software. The spray angle at 3 bar pressure was measured as 107.2° for anti-drift nozzles, as 105.6° for air-injection nozzles, as 69.9° for ST 80 flat-fan nozzles, as 84.0° for ST 90 flat-fan nozzles, as 103.2° for ST 110 flat-fan nozzles and as 54.2° for hollow-cone Ø1.0 mm nozzles. Cone angle at 3 bar pressure was measured as 106.7° for anti-drift nozzles, as 103,9° for air-injection nozzles, as 75.1° for ST 80 flat-fan nozzles, as 86.4° for ST 90 flat-fan nozzles, as 105.2° for ST 110 flat-fan nozzles and as 46,4° for hollow-cone Ø1.0 mm nozzles. Spray pattern obtained with the image processing method was identical with the flow uniformity obtained with line-profile method. It was concluded that spray pressures had significant effects on spray angles (p =0.05) of all nozzles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term results of ossiculoplasty using bone cement. Method: Forty patients (24 females and 16 males; mean age: 34.1 ± 11.8 years; range, 9–54 years) with chronic otitis media with perforation but without cholesteatoma who had undergone incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty using bone cement were evaluated retrospectively. Pre-operative and post-operative audiograms were evaluated. Bone conduction, air conduction and air–bone gaps were calculated according to international guidelines. Results: There was a mean reduction in pre-operative and post-operative air conduction (12.30 ± 11.98 dB), and this result was significant (p = 0.0001). There was a mean reduction in pre-operative and post-operative bone conduction (4.30 ± 6.69 dB), and this result was significant (p < 0.0001). The pre-operative air–bone gap was 27.65 dB and decreased to 19.65 dB during follow-up (p = 0.0001). No adverse reactions or complications were observed. Conclusion: Bone cement is reliable for the repair of incudostapedial-joint defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size and shape data of agricultural crops provide great sources for food processing technologies. The physical attributes of different fruits should be known for the design, developing and innovation of food technologies. In this study, the size and shape distinctions of fifteen national and international walnut cultivars (Midland, Sütyemez-1, Serr, Maraş-18, Maraş-12, Sütyemez-2, Kaman-1, Kaman-5, Pedro, Howard, Chandler, Şebin, Şen-2, Bilecik and KR-1) were determined using elliptic Fourier and multivariate approaches. Firstly, the gravitational features of walnut cultivars were determined, and their dimensional, area and shape attributes were revealed by image processing. Cluster analysis was used to designate the walnut cultivars. Elliptic Fourier descriptors obtained from walnut outlines provided the comparisons among walnut cultivars in shape. The shape index indicated that Serr, Sütyemez-2, Midland and Şen-2 cultivars were oval-shaped, and the others were spherical. The cluster analysis divided the walnut cultivars into four subgroups. Elliptic Fourier descriptors perfectly distinguished the walnut cultivars according to shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide (NO) contributes to vasodilatation that is observed during normal pregnancy. Hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) is a vascular risk factor associated with placental microvascular diseases and pre-eclampsia. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been linked to endothelial dysfunction. Maternal ADMA has been reported to be higher in women with pre-eclampsia and HHcy leads to accumulation of ADMA. The aim of this presented study is to evaluate the alterations of plasma homocysteine, ADMA and NO levels in mild pre-eclampsia. A total of 40 pre-eclamptic women and 40 healthy controls were included into the study. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean serum homocysteine and ADMA levels were significantly higher and NO level was lower in patients. Serum homocysteine, ADMA and NO levels found to be correlated among them and with blood pressure. In conclusion, we found that homocysteine and ADMA levels were increased and NO levels decreased in pre-eclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the effects of total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy (TLH-BS) and total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy (TAH-BS) on ovarian function among women of reproductive age.Study Design: One hundred and three patients with a diagnosis of benign uterine disorder were divided into two groups in this prospective longitudinal study. Patients who had never had sexual intercourse and patients with uterovaginal disproportion underwent TAH-BS (n=57), and the remaining patients (n=46) underwent TLH-BS. Ovarian function was assessed before and 6 months after surgery; ovarian volume was assessed by gray-scale ultrasonography, and levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol (E2), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B were measured.Results: Postoperative serum FSH, LH and inhibin B decreased significantly in both groups. Postoperative serum E2 did not change significantly. Postoperative serum AMH and ovarian volume decreased significantly in the TAH-BS group (p=0.016 and p<0.001, respectively), but not in the TLH-BS group. Significant differences were observed between the TLH-BS and TAH-BS groups with respect to change in FSH (p=0.012) and ovarian volume (p=0.001); between-group differences were not significant for changes in AMH and inhibin B.Conclusions: Although serum AMH did not change significantly in patients who underwent TLH-BS, ovarian aging commenced following both surgical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, double differential light charged particle emission cross section, which is a fundamental data to determine nuclear heating and material damages in structural fusion material research, for Ni target nuclei have been calculated by the TALYS 1.6 code at 14.8 MeV neutron incident energy and compared with available experimental data in EXFOR library. While the compound nucleus formation process contribution was found as dominant in the emission of proton and alpha particles, pre-equilibrium contribution was existed in the deuteron emission and the direct reaction contribution also was seen as dominant in higher particle emission energies. Penetrating distance and stopping powers also have been calculated for the alphas, deuterons and protons in Ni using GEANT4 code and compared with previous works of Cr and Ti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of level density for reaction cross-section calculations are needed for various applications such as fission and fusion reactor design, accelerator driven sub-critical systems, nuclear medicine, neutron capture and astrophysics. In this study, the excitation functions for (p, n) reactions from reaction threshold to 30 MeV proton incident energy on Ni, Ni, Ni and Ni isotopes were calculated using TALYS 1.6 nuclear code involving the level density models. This is of importance to the validation of nuclear model approaches with increased predictive power. There are several models of level density that can be used to predict cross-section. In this work, the (p, n) cross-sections would be calculated using three different model of level density, such as constant temperature model, back-shifted fermi gas model and generalized superfluid model on Ni reactions. The (p, n) reaction cross-section calculations for Ni target nuclei were compared with each other and the experimental nuclear reaction data obtained from EXFOR database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double differential cross section is a fundamental value to determine nuclear heating and material damages in structural fusion material research. In this study, double differential light charged particle emission cross sections for Cr target nuclei have been calculated by the TALYS 1.6 code at 14.8 MeV incident neutron energy. Penetrating distance and stopping powers have been calculated for the alpha, deuteron and proton particles, taking into consideration all possible reactions in Cr for incident energies of 0.5-22.2 MeV using GEANT4 calculation code. The compound nucleus formation process dominates the emission of proton and alpha particles. Direct reaction contribution becomes dominant in higher particle emission energies. The calculated double differential cross sections have been compared with the available experimental data taken from the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated neutron-emission spectra induced by (n,xn) nuclear reactions for the Be structural fusion material at 14.2 MeV neutron energy. We calculated double-differential cross sections ( $${\raise0.7ex\hbox{${d^{2} \sigma }$} \!\mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{d^{2} \sigma } {d\varOmega d\varepsilon }}}\right.\kern-0pt} \!\lower0.7ex\hbox{${d\varOmega d\varepsilon }$}}$$ ) with ALICE-2011 codeor the angles of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°. Hybrid Monte Carlo simulation model have been used to calculate the double differential emission spectra for these different angles. The obtained results were compared with the measured data taken from EXFOR library. The results show an acceptable agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in technology and computer sciences give us simplicity to investigate phenomena of nuclear physics. Scientists have improved various nuclear reaction codes such as Talys, Alice/ASH, Cem95, Empire, Geant4 and Fluka. These programs give us chance to calculate crucial quantity like reaction cross-section, energy spectrum of out-going particles, stopping power and penetrating distances in target material. The stopping power of alpha in Co material is acquired as it has helpful applications of shielding and choosing the proper thickness of the target. Evaluation of the reaction cross-section data is very important to various applications such as improvement structural material, reactor design and radioisotopes production. In this study, we calculated the neutron production cross-sections of Co using TALYS 1.6 and EMPIRE 3.1 codes for different level density models. Penetrating distances and stopping powers have been calculated for the alpha particles taking into consideration all possible reactions in Co using GEANT4 simulation program. The obtained (α,xn) and (γ,xn) reactions (x = 1, 2, 3) cross-section values have been compared with the each other and against the experimental nuclear reaction data existing in EXFOR database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]