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Bu çalışmanın amacı, fen bilimleriöğretmen adaylarının biyoteknoloji, genetik mühendisliği ve klonlamakavramlarına yönelik algılarını ve algısal değişimlerini incelemektir. Buamaçla, …… Üniversitesi’nde öğrenim gören 119 öğretmen adayına 3. sınıf ve 4. sınıfta olmak üzere, iki kezKelime İlişkilendirme Testi (KİT) uygulanmıştır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerindenolgu bilim desenine göre tasarlanan çalışmada, içerik analizi tekniğikullanılmıştır. KİT uygulaması sonucunda anahtar kavramlar ile ilişkili verilencevaplardan oluşan bir frekans tablosu hazırlanmıştır. Bu tabloya göre fenbilimleri öğretmen adaylarının bilişsel yapılarını ortaya çıkaran kavram ağlarıçizilmiştir.Araştırmada ilgili kavramlara yönelik verilen derslerin fenbilimleri öğretmen adaylarının biyoteknoloji, genetik mühendisliği ve klonlamakavramları ile ilgili bilişsel yapılarını geliştirdiği belirlenmiştir.Çalışmada dersleri aldıktan sonra verilen kavramlarla ilişkili elde edilenkelimelerin hem niteliksel hem de niceliksel olarak arttığı ve kavramyanılgılarının azaldığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Sonuçlarımıza göre, fenbilimleri öğretmen adaylarının lisans derslerinde biyoteknoloji uygulamalarıkonularına daha çok yer verilmesi önerilmektedir., The purpose of the research is to examine preservice science teachers’ perceptions and perceptional changes towards biotechnology, genetic engineering and cloning concepts. For this purpose, the Word Association Test (WAT) was applied two times to 59 preservice science teachers, who are studying at Inonu University, in the third grades of 2017-2018 school year and the fourth grades of 2018-2019 school year. The study was designed based on one of the qualitative research method named as phenomenology and analyzed with content analysis. A frequency table consisting of key concepts and answer words was prepared as a result of the WAT. According to this table, concept networks that reveal the cognitive structures of preservice science teachers are drawn. In the study, it was determined that preservice science teachers’ cognitive structures related to biotechnology, genetic engineering and cloning concepts developed with the routine courses related biotechnology. The results showed that the preservice teachers’ prior knowledge widened to the large area that was not related to the concepts and, they produced more responses in the after taking related courses. In addition, it was concluded that the preservice teachers’ misconceptions decreased and they perceived the relationsihp between concepts as a network after taking the related courses. The importance of the research results in terms of biotechnology/science education and using WAT as an educational tool were criticised.

Zwitter ionic macro molecules can be prepared to provide functional materials applicable in various different fields such as catalysis, cleaning industry, textile industry, cosmetics and drugs with the enhanced solubility both in organic solvent and aqueous media. Tetra {4-[N-((3-dimethylamino)propyl) amidelphenoxyl substituted nickel (II) phthalocyanine (2) and its sulfobetaine, betaine, and N-Oxide derivatives (3-5) were synthesized as novel species. All newly synthesized compounds (1-5) were characterized by the combination of spectroscopic techniques such as UV Vis, FT-IR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, mass and elemental analysis, as well. The ionic phthalocyanine derivatives (3-5) showed excellent solubility in aqueous media due to their ionic characters. In this study, antioxidant capacities of the phthalonitrile (1) and phthalocyanines (2-5) were tested via radical scavenging methods; 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH") scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method. In addition to this radical scavenging studies, reducing power activity of compounds (1-5) were tested as well. Surfactant properties of ionic derivatives (3-5) were also investigated in water. Results revealed that all the synthesized compounds have antioxidant activity (1-5) and water soluble phthalocyanines (3-5) have good surfactant properties, as well. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate pre-service science teachers’ argumentation skills, attitudes and knowledge levels regarding organ transplantation and donation (OTD). Teachers play a fundamental role in providing information to children/adolescents and could influence their attitudes. Organ transplantation is a life-saving hope for many people, but shortage of organs for transplantation is a universal problem. Having a positive attitude and true knowledge are essential for teachers that affect students’ future attitude toward this topic. The research method was descriptive and cross-sectional. The sample of research was 472 pre-service science teachers, who were sampled by using convenient sampling method and are students of Science Education Department at four different public universities. Data collection instruments were developed by researchers as valid and reliable questionnaire in order to determine the attitudes, knowledge levels and argumentation skills of pre-service teachers regarding OTD. Results observed that the pre-service science teachers' argumentation skills in a socio-scientific subject such as OTD were at a very low level, their attitudes were at a moderate level, and their knowledge level was above the average. Results of the study have shown that graduated high school type and grade level have played important roles in the positive attitudes, high argumentation skills and high knowledge level about organ donation. No significant difference was found in the attitudes and knowledge level of pre-service science teachers toward OTD in terms of gender. The gender only affected the ability of argumentation.

Inthe treatment of Graves Ophthalmopthy (GO) with radiotherapy, we aimed to comparethe doses of target volume and critical organs by using mutual lateral threedimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensitymodulated radiotherapy (IMRT) techniques. In this study,two separete treatment plans were develepod with 3DCRT radiotherapy and IMRTwith a fraction dose of 2 Gy and the total doses of 20 Gy in 15 patients with GOdiagnosis. The dose values of the planned target volume (PTV) and criticalorgans were compared and homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI) valueswere calculated and Monitor Unit (MU) values were eveluated. There was no difference between two techniques at D95%(p=0,583) of PTV; D98% (p, Gravesoftalmopati (GO) tanılı olguların radyoterapi ile tedavisinde; karşılıklılateral üç boyutlu konformal radyoterapi (3BKRT) ve yoğunluk ayarlı radyoterapi(YART) teknikleri kullanılarak hedef hacmin ve riskli organların aldığıdozların karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada; GO tanılı 15 hastaya fraksiyondozu 2 Gy toplam doz 20 Gy olacak şekilde 3BKRT ve YART tekniği ile iki ayrıtedavi planı oluşturuldu. Planlanan hedef hacmin (PTV) ve riskliorganların aldığı doz değerleri karşılaştırıldı ve homojenite indeksi (HI),konformite indeksi (CI) değerleri hesaplanıp Monitor Unit (MU) değerlerinebakıldı. PTV’nin D95% (p=0,583) değerinde iki teknik arasında fark görülmedi; D98%(p

Distant organ tumor dissemination is a major cause of breast cancer-related deaths. In 2010, we analyzed the prognostic importance of the circulating tumor markers (CTMs) cytokeratin 19 (CK19), CK20, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in relation to the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with breast cancer (BC). To assess the clinical utility of CK19, CK20 and EGFR in predicting distant metastasis in BC, here we report 7-year follow-up results of 77 patients. The patients with at least one positive CTM were classified as CTM(+) and those negative for all CTMs were assigned to CTM(-) group. In patients who received no treatment following CTM analysis, 25.0% had metastasis in CTM(+) and 10.0% in CTM(-) group. In patients who received one of the following therapies: chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy, or the combinations of these therapies, the rate of metastasis was 33.3% in CTM(+) and 20.0% in CTM(-) group. Disease-free time was shorter in CTM(+) patients compared to CTM(-) group (28.83 ± 10.76 and 41.38 ± 9.5 months, respectively). According to multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, the presence of regional lymph node metastasis, Ki-67 expression, higher tumor grade and CTM expression status were predictors of poor prognosis associated with distant metastasis (p < 0.05). Also, CTM positivity was a factor associated with metastasis-related poor prognosis (HR = 0.492, p = 0.026). The mean survival for CTM(+) patients was shorter than that for CTM(-) patients (90.671 ± 2.66 and 101.23 ± 3.92 months, respectively; p > 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that CTM positivity may indicate a high metastasis risk; however, CTM negativity does not guarantee low metastasis risk. These results may encourage further preclinical investigation of CTMs, to evaluate the possible implications of these findings to the clinical setting.

Aims and background To evaluate the effect of bcl-2 expression on the local control and overall survival of patients with early stage laryngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy alone. Methods and study design We included 53 patients with stage Tis, T1, and T2 laryngeal cancer who were irradiated in our department. Paraffin blocks of all biopsy specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis with a bcl-2 oncoprotein mouse clone 124 Scytek kit. Results The mean follow-up time was 61 months (range, 7–166). Local-regional recurrence was observed in 10 (19%) patients. Forty-three patients (81%) had negative bcl-2 staining, 5 patients (9%) had + staining, 3 patients (6%) ++ staining, and 2 patients (4%) +++ staining. No relationship was detected between bcl-2 expression and local control or overall survival. The emergence of a recurrence and a younger age (Conclusions No correlation was observed between bcl-2 expression and local control or overall survival. Whereas hemoglobin level, age and existence of a recurrence had a prognostic impact on overall survival, patient age and smoking status influenced local control rates.

Amaç: Buçalışma öğretmen adaylarının “bilgi” kavramına ilişkin algılarını metaforlararacılığıyla ortaya çıkarmak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu bağlamda, (1) “Fenbilgisi ve sınıf öğretmeni adaylarının bilgi kavramına ilişkin metaforlarınelerdir?” , (2) “Bu metaforlar ortak özellikleri bakımından hangi kavramsalkategoriler altında toplanabilir?” ve (3) “Kavramsal kategoriler öğretmenadaylarının program türü, sınıf seviyesi ve cinsiyeti bakımından farklılıkgöstermekte midir?” sorularına cevap aranmıştır. Öğretmen adaylarının bilgikavramına ilişkin metaforik algılarını belirlemenin, süreci tasarlayan,uygulayan ve yürüten eğitimciler için fayda sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.Yöntem: Çalışmadabireylerin bir olguya ilişkin görüşlerinin tespit edilmesi amacıylafenomenolojik (olgubilim) desen kullanılmıştır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerindenolgu bilim desenine göre tasarlanan çalışmada, içerik analizi tekniklerikullanılmıştır. Veriler, 2016-2017 öğretim yılı bahar yarıyılında İnönüÜniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi’nde okumakta olan 62 fen bilgisi, 45 sınıföğretmeni olmak üzere toplam 107 öğretmen adayının “Bilgi ……gibidir. Çünkü ……”ifadelerini tamamlamasıyla elde edilmiştir.Bulgular: Sonuçlarımızagore, öğretmen adayları “Bilgi” kavramı için 67 geçerli metafor üretmiştir.Öğretmen adaylarından elde edilen verilerde en çok “Su” metaforu (f=8)kullanılmıştır. Bu metaforlar daha sonra ortak özellikleri ve benzetme yönleribakımından kategorileştirilmiş ve “Bilgi” kavramı için dokuz kategori eldeedilmiştir. Öğretmen adaylarının metafor analizinde, bilgi kavramı en fazla“emek-çaba ile ortaya çıkan bir yapı” (f=25) ve “dinamik bir yapı” (f=22)olarak algılanmıştır. Kavramsalkategoriler, öğretmen adaylarının cinsiyeti, sınıf düzeyleri ve bölüm türübakımından da farklılaşmıştır.Sonuçlar ve Öneriler: Sonuçlarımızagöre, öğretmen adaylarının bilgi kavramına ilişkin algıları çok yönlü vefaklılıklar içermektedir. Metaforlar öğretmen adaylarının bilgi kavramınailişkin sahip oldukları kişisel algıları ortaya çıkarmada güçlü bir araştırmaaracı olarak kullanılabilir. Dolayısıyla, farklı eğitim düzeylerinde, hemöğretmenler hem de öğrencilerden metafor yoluyla çeşitli eğitim kavramlarınailişkin zihinsel imgelerini sunmaları istenebilir., Purpose: The aim of this study is to reveal the preserviceteachers’ mental-image and perspective for “knowledge” concept by usingmetaphors. In this regard, the research questions were formulated as (1) “Whatare the preservice science and classroom teachers’ metaphors about knowledgeconcept”, (2) “What conceptual categories can be derived from thesemetaphorical images?” and (3) “How do these themes differ across participants’department type, class level and gender?” It is believed that knowing preservice teachers’ perceptions aboutknowledge would provide benefit for educators who design, apply and conduct theprocess.Design & Methodology: The study is designed based on one of the qualitativeresearch method named as phenomenology and analyzed with content analysismethods. The data on completing the expression “Knowledge… is like. Because ….”was collected using 62 science teachers, 45 clasroom teachers total 107preservice teachers on Education Faculty in 2016-2017 academic year, springterm, Inonu University.Findings: According to results, preservice teachers created 67valid metaphor for “Knowledge”. From the data obtained by preservice teachers,it is understood that mostly ‘Water’ metaphor (f=8) is used by theparticipants. The created metaphors were categorized considering their commonproperties. In the end of this process, these metaphors is divided into a totalof nine categories. Preservice teachers mostly see knowledge as “a structurethat is opened by effort” (f=25), “a dynamic structure” (f=22). The conceptual categories also differed interms of gender, class levels and department type of preservice teachers.Implications & Suggestions: According to the result of the study it was found thatpreservice teachers’ perceptions about “knowledge” concept was multifaceted andincluded differences. To conclude, metaphor could be employed as a powerfulresearch tool in gaining insight into teachers’ and students’ reasoning aboutimportant concepts such as knowledge. Hence, in different levels of education,both teachers and students could be asked to provide their images of variouseducational concepts via metaphor.

Exposure of rat cortical neurons to combined oxygen and glucose deprivation results in loss of NAD(P)H autofluorescence that is only partially reversible following restoration of oxygen and glucose, suggesting catabolism of pyridine nucleotides. This study tested the hypothesis that metabolic inhibition caused by cyanide-induced chemical anoxia plus glucose deprivation promotes both release of mitochondrial NAD(H) in response to opening of the permeability transition pore (PTP) and NAD(P)(H) degradation through activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The NAD(P)H autofluorescence of rat neonatal cortical neurons was monitored during and following acute (10 – 30 min) exposure to the respiratory inhibitor, cyanide, in the absence and presence of glucose. Because nitric oxide-derived peroxynitrite is a known activator of PARP, we additionally assessed the effect of a nitric oxide generating agent on the NAD(P)H autofluorescence response to chemical anoxia plus glucose deprivation. Cyanide induced a rapid increase in autofluorescence, followed by a steady decline promoted by the presence of nitric oxide. This decline was primarily due to NAD(H) catabolism, as verified by measurements of total NAD(H) present in cellular extracts. Catabolism was partially blocked by an inhibitor of PARP, by a PTP inhibitor, and by either glucose or pyruvate as a source of reducing power. Overall, data suggest that metabolic, oxidative, and nitrosative stress during in vitro neuronal anoxia and glucose deprivation result in release of mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides in response to PTP opening and rapid, extensive NAD(H) degradation mediated by PARP activation. These events may contribute to the metabolic dysfunction that occurs in vivo during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion and therefore represent prime targets for neuroprotection.

Aims and background To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a new treatment approach including induction chemotherapy (CT) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Patients and methods Twenty-four patients with LAPC were enrolled in the study. They first received induction CT consisting of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) (500 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2), which were given weekly for 3 weeks of every 4. Patients showing a response or disease stabilization after 2 cycles of induction CT received CRT consisting of external beam radiotherapy (50.4-54 Gy in fractions of 1.8 Gy/day) and gemcitabine (350 mg/m2, weekly for 6 weeks). Patients without disease progression received 2 additional cycles of CT consisting of 5FU plus gemcitabine with the same doses and schedule as given in the induction CT. Results After the end of the study, 2 (8%) and 5 (21%) patients showed complete and partial responses, respectively. Five patients (21%) had disease stabilization. The grade 3 and 4 toxicities associated with CT were neutropenia (21%) and thrombocytopenia (4%). The grade 3 and 4 toxicities occurring in patients who received CRT were neutropenia (24%), thrombocytopenia (24%), diarrhea (18%), and nausea (12%). The median progression-free survival for all patients was 6 months (95% CI, 3.6-8.4), and the median overall survival was 11 months (95% CI, 8.16-13.84). Conclusions The CRT approach of this study is moderately active and has an acceptable toxicity profile. However, the incor-poration of combination CT into CRT at the present schedule could not produce any additional benefit over CRT alone. Newer agents with more systemic activity are clearly warranted.

In the present study the effect of increasing the concentrations of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) (0.1-200 ppm) on the free polyamines (PAs) level and laccase activity was studied in the white rot fungi Trametes (Coriolus) versicolor and Funalia trogii at 6 and 15 days. Spermidine (Spd) was the most abundant PA in the two white rot fungi, while Spermine (Spm), and Putrescine (Put) were found only in trace amounts or were not determined. The highest Spd levels (1952.05 μg/DW and 2391.54 μg/DW) were observed in 1 ppm Cd at 15 days of incubation in T. versicolor and F. trogii respectively. The laccase activity of both species, especially in the 15-day cultures, showed a significant increase compared to the control. The highest increase was evident at 100 ppm Cd where the laccase activity was over 19 fold higher than that of the control sample in the 15 day culture of T. versicolor. The dry biomass in the 0.1 and 1 ppm Cd concentrations showed a significant increase in T. versicolor in the six and 15 day incubation periods. In all cases, the dry biomass in both the six and 15 day cultures of F. trogii showed a significant increase compared to the control cultures. The findings gathered through this study show that Cd can amplify free Spd levels and increase laccase activity in T. versicolor and F. trogii. This increase under Cd stress suggests their possible role in combating

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a type of soft-tissue sarcoma, often linked to poor survival. Although overexpression of enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) has been associated with poor prognosis in different tumors, a few studies investigated this link in SS. Here, we analyzed the relationship between EZH2 expression and prognostic factors in SS. We included 29 patients with SS. Immunostaining of EZH2 was performed with (D2C9) XPTM Rabbit mAb antibody, and the results were classified as low EZH2 expression (negative or weak expression) and high EZH2 expression category (moderate or strong expression). Analysis of survival in relation to prognostic factors was performed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Our sample included 19/29 female and 10/29 male patients, with age range 16-63 years. The tumor diameter ranged from 2 to 15 cm. Necrosis was observed in 15/29 cases. Sixteen cases had >10 mitoses per 50 high-power fields (HPFs). Out of 29 cases, 14 showed low and 15 had high EZH2 expression. Statistically significant results were obtained for the association between the presence of metastasis and necrosis (p = 0.042), high EZH2 expression and distant metastasis (p = 0.018), high EZH2 expression and necrosis (p = 0.016), and high EZH2 expression and the tumor size >5 cm versus tumor size ≤5 cm (p = 0.014). Patients with all of the following: the tumor size ≤5 cm, low EZH2 expression, and without necrosis and distant metastasis had significantly longer survival time. Our results are consistent with previous studies, suggesting that EZH2 overexpression is an indicator of poor prognosis in SS.

Plants have been used for many years as a source of traditional medicine to treat various diseases and conditions. R. cristatus DC (Polygonaceae) is widely spread in Turkey and used as both herbal medicine and food. This study examined the antioxidant activities of ethanolic extract of R. cristatus DC using different tests. The antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of R. cristatus leaves was analyzed for total phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid and β-carotene contents, reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The results were compared with natural and synthetic antioxidants. The results suggest that consumption of R. cristatus DC can be beneficial effects due to its antioxidant properties

There is a need to develop innovative and alternative technologies that can remove dyes from wastewater. In this study, low-cost and locally available two renewable biosorbents (cotton stalk and apricot seed) were investigated to remove of Astrazone Black from aqueous solution. The effects of various experimental parameters such as dye concentration, adsorbent amount, adsorbent particle size and initial pH were tested, and optimal experimental conditions were examined. The results showed that as the amount of adsorbent was increased, the percentage of dye removal increased accordingly. The ratios of dye sorbed increased as the adsorbent particle size decreased. In addition, antibacterial effect of untreated and treated (decolourized) dye on a soil bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was determined. The removal of this dye with agricultural wastes reduced the toxic effect on P. aeruginosa. This reduction in toxic effect is important both in respect of environmental biotechnology and waste detoxification.

This study tested the hypothesis that sensitivity to the Ca(2+) -induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ(m)) and the sensitivity of the loss of ΔΨ to mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) inhibitors are different for neurons and astrocytes. Primary cultures of rat cortical neurons and astrocytes were exposed to the Ca(2+) ionophore 4-Br-A23187, and ΔΨ(m) was monitored with the fluorescent probe tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM). Ca(2+) ionophore caused a decline in ΔΨ(m) in both cell types that was partially inhibited by cyclosporin A (CsA) in astrocytes but not in neurons. Another PTP inhibitor, 2-aminoethoxy-diphenylborate, was ineffective at protecting against mitochondrial depolarization, but depolarization was inhibited by FK506, an immunosuppressant drug similar to CsA that does not inhibit the PTP. CsA and FK506 both significantly reduced the ionophore-induced rise in [Ca(2+) ](i) in both neurons and astrocytes. We conclude that the protective effects of CsA and FK506 against Ca(2+) ionophore-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization in intact astrocytes is not due to PTP inhibition but possibly is a consequence of inhibiting the rise in [Ca(2+) ](i).

Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) has a worse prognosis than do classical adenocarcinoma. Increased tumor budding (TB) and lower number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) negatively affect prognosis in classical adenocarcinoma. In this study, we investigated whether TB and TIL values influenced prognosis in patients with MAC. Forty-five patients diagnosed with MAC between 2011 and 2015 were included in the study. TB and TIL values of the patients were re-evaluated. In assessing TIL, lymphocytes that infiltrated the stroma and tumor were evaluated separately. The effects of these findings on the prognostic parameters and the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 26.07 months (min: 1 max: 82, SD:24.86), OS 28.04 months (min: 1 max: 82 SD:24.81). The results between TB and OS (p = 0.066) and DFS (p = 0.205) were not significant. The relationship between sTIL and OS (p = 0.367) and DFS (p = 0.949) was not significant. The relationship between iTIL and OS (p = 0.502) and DFS (p = 0.870) was not significant. The only significant difference between clinicopathological parameters and TB, sTIL, and iTIL was between grade and TB (p = 0.016). In terms of clinicopathologic parameters, stage with OS (p = 0.008) and DFS (0.016), lymph node metastasis with OS (p = 0.010) and DFS (0.008), LVI (lymph vascular invasion) with OS (p = 0.034) and DFS (p = 0.015), PNI (perineural invasion) and DFS (p = 0.007) was significant. In this study, the effect of TB and TIL on the prognosis of MAC was investigated. We found that these data did not correlate with the prognosis of the tumor and the prognostic parameters (LVI, PNI, lymph node metastasis, stage) in the staging system remained as the gold standard for predicting prognosis. [Med-Science 2019; 8(4.000): 896-900]

Earlier, more accurate assessment of secondary brain injury is essential in management of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We assessed the accuracy and utility of high-resolution automated intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) recording and their analysis in patients with severe TBI.ICP and CPP data for 30 severe TBI patients were collected automatically at 6-second intervals. The degree and duration of ICP and CPP above and below treatment thresholds were calculated as "pressure times time dose" (PTD; mm Hg . h) using automated recordings (PTDa) or manual recordings (PTDm) for early stage (trauma resuscitation unit [TRU]) and total monitoring time (TRU and intensive care unit).Bland-Altman plots showed lack of agreement between PTDa and PTDm. For ICP20 mm Hg and CPP60 mm Hg, PTDa, but not PTDm, was significantly higher in patients with unfavorable outcome (Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale scoreor=4) than in patients with favorable outcome (Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale score4). Total PTDa for ICP20 mm Hg and CPP60 mm Hg had high predictive power for functional outcome (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve: 0.92 +/- 0.05 and 0.82 +/- 0.08, respectively) and inhospital mortality (0.76 +/- 0.15 and 0.79 +/- 0.14, respectively) and were strongly correlated with length of intensive care unit stay (p = 0.009 and 0.007), length of hospital stay (p = 0.009 and 0.005), and discharge Glasgow Coma Scale scores (p = 0.008 and p = 0.038). PTDa of CPP100 mm Hg during TRU monitoring and during the first 24 hours showed highest predictive power for mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve: 0.72 +/- 0.18 and 0.85 +/- 0.13, respectively). PTDa was better than PTDm and the duration of episodes alone in predicting outcome.PTD calculation of high resolution ICP and CPP recording is a reliable and feasible way of monitoring severe TBI patients.

Certain anesthetics exhibit neurotoxicity in the brains of immature but not mature animals. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain, is excitatory on immature neurons via its action at the GABAA receptor, due to a reversed transmembrane chloride gradient. GABAA receptor activation in immature neurons is sufficient to open L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. As propofol is a GABAA agonist, we hypothesized that it and more specific GABAA modulators would increase intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i), resulting in the death of neonatal rat hippocampal neurons. Neuronal [Ca2+]i was monitored using Fura2-AM fluorescence imaging. Cell death was assessed by double staining with propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258 at 1 hour (acute) and 48 hours (delayed) after 5 hours exposure of neurons to propofol or the GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol, in the presence and absence of the GABA receptor antagonist, bicuculline, or the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, nifedipine. Fluorescent measurements of caspase-3,-7 activities were performed at 1 hour after exposure. Both muscimol and propofol induced a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i in days in vitro (DIV) 4, but not in DIV 8 neurons, that was inhibited by nifedipine and bicuculline. Caspase-3,-7 activities and cell death increased significantly in DIV 4 but not DIV 8 hippocampal neuronal cultures 1 hour after 5 hours exposure to propofol, but not muscimol, and were inhibited by the presence of bicuculline or nifedipine. We conclude that an increase in [Ca2+]i, due to activation of GABAA receptors and opening of L-type calcium channels, is necessary for propofol-induced death of immature rat hippocampal neurons but that additional mechanisms not elicited by GABAA activation alone also contribute to cell death.

Carcinoma arising from ectopic breast tissue, either supernumerary breast or aberrant breast tissue, is extremely rare. Carcinoma occurs more frequently in the ectopic breast tissue of the axilla than in extra-axillary ectopic breast tissue. Here we report a case of an invasive lobular carcinoma arising from extra-axillary ectopic breast tissue and presenting as a subcutaneous nodule.

Altered mitochondrial energy metabolism contributes to the pathophysiology of acute brain injury caused by ischemia, trauma, and neurotoxins and by chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. Although much evidence supports that the electron transport chain dysfunction in these metabolic abnormalities has both genetic and intracellular environmental causes, alternative mechanisms are being explored. These include direct, reversible inhibition of cytochrome oxidase by nitric oxide, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, oxidative inhibition of mitochondrial matrix dehydrogenases and adenine nucleotide transport, the availability of NAD for dehydrogenase reactions, respiratory uncoupling by activities such as that of the permeability transition pore, and altered mitochondrial structure and intracellular trafficking. This review focuses on the catabolism of neuronal NAD and the release of neuronal mitochondrial NAD as important contributors to metabolic dysfunction. In addition, the relationship between apoptotic signaling cascades and disruption of mitochondrial energy metabolism is considered in light of the fine balance between apoptotic and necrotic neural cell death.

NAD(P)H autofluorescence was used to verify establishment of metabolic anoxia using primary cultures of cortical neurons and astrocytes. Cells on cover slips were placed in a chamber and O(2) was displaced by continuous infusion of argon. Perfusion with medium at PO(2) < 0.4 mm Hg caused an increase in NAD(P)H fluorescence, albeit to levels lower than that obtained with cyanide. Addition of the nitric oxide-generating agent DETA-NO to the hypoxic medium further increased fluorescence to the level with cyanide. Fluorescence under anoxia remained high in the presence of glucose, but declined in neurons and not in astrocytes when glucose was substituted with 2-deoxyglucose. Reoxygenation of neurons resulted in a decline in fluorescence and a loss in fluorescent gradient between fully reduced and fully oxidized (plus respiratory uncoupler). We conclude that (1) DETA-NO is useful for generating metabolic anoxia in the presence of argon (2) Exogenous glucose is necessary to maintain NAD(P)H in a reduced state during metabolic anoxia in neurons but not astrocytes (3) Neurons undergo a partially irreversible decline in NAD(P)H fluorescence during metabolic anoxia and reoxygenation that could contribute to prolonged metabolic failure.

Although it is well known that numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations are common in leukemic cells, tetraploidy and near-tetraploidy is a rare entity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) [1-4]. We describe a rare case of AML-M0 with near-tetraploidy and superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) due to a large mediastinal granulocytic sarcoma (GS). A 25-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with a progressive non-productive cough, dyspnea, pain on the left upper extremity and weight loss. One month ago, he was treated with a diagnosis of venous thrombosis because of the pain and swelling on his left upper extremity. At the time of admittance, physical examination revealed dyspnea, facial edema, swelling of the neck and upper extremities and dilated jugular and superficial veins of the chest. Peripheral lymph node or organomegaly was absent. His hematological findings were: hemoglobin, 14.1 g dl−1; hematocrit, 41.6%; MCV, 87.5 fl; WBC, 15.3 × 109 l−1 with 15% polymorphonuclear cells; 22% bands; 37% lymphocytes; 26% resembling blastic cells; and platelets 284 × 109 l−1. The chest X-ray showed enlarged mediastinum and thorax computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a multi-lobar mass with a diameter of 9 × 5 cm in the anterior mediastinum which also compressed the superior vena cava (Figure 1A). Abdominopelvic CT scan was normal. Mediastinoscopy was performed for definite diagnosis. The biopsy specimens from mediastinal mass revealed diffuse malignant infiltration in lipomatous tissue, which consisted of round, large sized cells. Nuclei were large, vesicular and contained two or three nucleolus. Cytoplasm was moderate in amount and clear. The specimens showed negativity for all of the antibodies and staining except for myeloperoxidase (MPO), CD34 and TdT (Figure 1B). Bone marrow aspirate revealed the presence of large blasts with a relatively low nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, moderate chromatin pattern, two-to-three prominent nucleoli, no cytoplasmic granules and few cytoplasmic vacuolization. Most of the cells had heterogeneous shaped nuclei. No Auer rod was seen (Figure 1C). Cytochemistry revealed negativity for MPO, Sudan black B, periodic acid Schiff, combined esterase and acid phosphatase. Flow cytometric studies of the bone marrow cells revealed positivity for CD13, CD33, CD34, CD45, CD7 and HLA-DR. Cytogenetic analysis showed near tetraploidy (Figure 1D). Results of cytogenetic analysis of 20 metaphases of the bone marrow cells were as follows; 102, XXYY, +13, +14, +14, +15, +16, +18, +19, +21, +21, +22 [6] / 104, XXYY, +X, +Y, +3, +4, −7, −8, +10, +11, +13, +13, −14, +15, +15, +19, +21, +21, +22, +22 [9] / 98, XXYY, +3, +4, −6, +8, −11, +13, +14, −16, +19, +20, +21, +21 [5]. Neither apparent structural rearrangement nor normal clone was identified. Upon establishing the diagnosis (AML-M0/near tetraploidy+/mediastinal GS+) [5], he was given an induction chemotherapy consisting of daunorubicin (45 mg m−2 per day, days 1–3) and cytarabine (100 mg m−2 per day continuous infusion, days 1–7) and bone marrow remission was achieved. Then, he received the first consolidation chemotherapy consisting of idarubicin (10 mg m−2 per day, days 1–3) and cytarabine (1000 mg m−2 per day, days 1–6), followed by second consolidation chemotherapy consisting of cytarabine (6 gr m−2 per day, days 1–3) and 1800 cGy radiotherapy on mediastinum. The symptoms of SVCS improved gradually after the 5th day of induction chemotherapy. Likewise, the mediastinal mass decreased in size by 30% after induction chemotherapy, 70% after consolidation chemotherapies and disappeared completely after the completion of radiotherapy (Figures 1E and F). Presently, he is in the 10th month of his complete remission without any recurrence in the disease or GS.

To characterize silica polymorphs (silicas) in some kaolins, orthophosphoric acid digestion (240 °C, 15 min), and thermal treatment (1050 °C, 24 h) were applied to eight samples. The original, digested, and heated samples were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Crystalline silica quartz (SiO2) was identified from the standard XRD patterns of the original kaolins; all contained quartz. On the other hand, hydrated partially crystalline silicas (SiO2·nH2O), such as well-ordered opal-C and opal-CT, were not readily distinguished from high-temperature crystalline silica, α-cristobalite, using standard XRD patterns of the original kaolins because, sharp and intense characteristic XRD peaks (h k l = 1 0 1) centered near 0.4 nm for opal-C, opal-CT, and α-cristobalite coincided. In order to distinguish these silicas the XRD patterns of the digested and heated samples were evaluated. It was observed that the 1 0 1 peaks disappear and sharpen in the course of digestion and heating, respectively. Because, the crystallinity of α-cristobalite does not change by these treatments, it was concluded that the kaolins contain opal-C and opal-CT or their mixtures in amorphous opal-A (SiO2·nH2O), but not α-cristobalite, which is probably human carcinogen. Because, the crystallinity increases in order opal-CT and opal-C, the narrowing in width at half-maximum peak height (FWHM) 1 0 1 must be more for opal-CT than opal-C by heating. Therefore, to distinguish opal-CT and opal-C from each other, the FWHM values before and after the heating process, were examined. Based on the results, it was estimated that six kaolins contain opal-CT in opal-A matrix, one kaolin contains only opal-A in a trace amount, and one kaolin contains non-opals.

Biosorption is an innovative and alternative technology to remove heavy metal pollutants from aqueous solution using live, inactive and dead biomasses such as algae, bacteria and fungi. In this study, live and dried biomass of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Funalia trogii was applied as heavy metal adsorbent material. Biosorption of copper(II) cations in aqueous solution by live and dried biomass of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Funalia trogii was investigated to study the effects of initial heavy metal concentration, pH, temperature, contact time, agitation rate and amount of fungus. Copper(II) was taken up quickly by fungal biomass (live or dried) during the first 15 min and the most important factor which affected the copper adsorption by live and dried biomass was the pH value. An initial pH of around 5.0 allowed for an optimum adsorption performance. Live biomass of two white rot fungi showed a high copper adsorption capacity compared with dried biomass. Copper(II) uptake was found to be independent of temperature in the range of 20-45 °C. The initial metal ion concentration (10-300 mg/L) significantly influenced the biosorption capacity of these fungi. The results indicate that a biosorption as high as 40-60 % by live and dried biomass can be obtained under optimum conditions.

Toxicity (antibacterial effect) of untreated and treated (decolorized) dyes on a soil bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined. Low cost and easily available two agricultural residues (cotton stalk and apricot seed) as biosorbents were used to remove Astrazone Black and Astrazone Yellow from aqueous solution. The removal of these dyes with agricultural wastes reduced the toxic effect on P. aeruginosa. This reduction in toxic effect is important both in respect of environmental biotechnology and waste detoxification. This study showed that these agricultural byproducts can be used for decolorization and detoxification of dyes.

The present study was designed to determine the radioprotective effect of two phytochemicals, namely, quinic acid and chlorogenic acid, against X-ray irradiation-induced genomic instability in non-tumorigenic human blood lymphocytes. The protective ability of two phenolic acids against radiation-induced DNA damage was assessed using the alkaline comet assay in human blood lymphocytes isolated from two healthy human donors. A Siemens Mevatron MD2 (Siemens AG, USA, 1994) linear accelerator was used for irradiation. The results of the alkaline comet assay revealed that quinic acid and chlorogenic acid decreased the DNA damage induced by X-ray irradiation and provided a significant radioprotective effect. Quinic acid decreased the presence of irradiation-induced DNA damage by 5.99-53.57% and chlorogenic acid by 4.49-48.15%, as determined by the alkaline comet assay. The results show that quinic acid and chlorogenic acid may act as radioprotective compounds. Future studies should focus on determining the mechanism by which these phenolic acids provide radioprotection.

Molasses wastewater (vinasse; the by-product of distillation of fermented sugar) was decolorized and its chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced in static cultivation using the fungi Coriolus versicolor, Funalia trogii, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus pulmonarius ('Pleurotus sajorcaju'). The effect of cotton stalk on decolorizing and COD removing capability of four fungi was determined. In the entire concentration range tested (10-30%), wastewater was effectively decolorized by C. versicolor and F. trogii. Cotton stalk addition stimulated the decolorization activity of all fungi. The utilization of cotton stalk represents several advantages due to its function as an attachment place and as a source of nutrients; its use also reduces process costs.

Valproic acid (2-propyl-pentanoic acid, VPA) is the most widely prescribed antiepileptic drug due to its ability to treat a broad spectrum of seizure types. VPA exhibits various side effects such as organ toxicity, teratogenicity, and visual disturbances. S-Methylmethioninesulfonium is a derivative of the amino acid methionine and it is widely referred to as vitamin U (Vit U). This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Vit U on lens damage parameters of rats exposed to VPA. Female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Group I comprised control animals. Group II included control rats supplemented with Vit U (50 mg/kg/day) for 15 days. Group III was given only VPA (500 mg/kg/day) for 15 days. Group IV was given VPA + Vit U (in same dose and time). Vit U was given to rats by gavage and VPA was given intraperitoneally. On the 16th day of experiment, all the animals which were fasted overnight were killed. Lens was taken from animals, homogenized in 0.9% saline to make up to 10% (w/v) homogenate. The homogenates were used for protein, glutathione, lipid peroxidation levels, and antioxidant enzymes activities. Lens lipid peroxidation levels and aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were increased in VPA group. On the other hand, glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione- S-transferase, and paraoxonase activities were decreased in VPA groups. Treatment with Vit U reversed these effects. This study showed that Vit U exerted antioxidant properties and may prevent lens damage caused by VPA.

5-Chloro-4-methyl-2-hydroxybenzophenone S-propyl-4-phenyl-thiosemicarbazone (H2L) and its cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes, in the general formula [MoO2(L)R-OH)] (R: methyl, 1; ethyl, 2; n-propyl, 3; n-butyl, 4; n-pentyl, 5), were synthesized and characterized by micro analysis, electronic, infrared and 1H and 13C NMR spectra. The crystal structures of complexes, 1 and 3, have been solved by direct methods (SIR92) and refined to the residual indexes R1 = 0.098 and R1 = 0.052 respectively. Complexes 1 and 3 are crystallized in the triclinic space group P−1 with Z = 2. The crystal study of complex 1 showed the first example of intermolecular hydrogen bond for this type of molybdenum–thiosemicarbazone complexes. The hydrogen bond is between the hydroxyl proton of attached alcohol and an oxo oxygen (in MoO22+ unit) of another complex molecule, and its bond distance (1.767(1) A) is shorter than from the σ-coordination bonds in complex 1. Antioxidant activities of the compounds were determined by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Ligand showed 23.61% DPPH radical scavenging activity at 250 mg/L concentration. Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) was also evaluated and trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values were found for ligand, 1 and 3 as 0.51, 0.33 and 0.30 respectively.

In this study, we investigated the genotoxic effect of taxol, radiation, or taxol plus radiation on highly proliferative normal tissue-bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. Swiss-albino mice, 3-4 months old, were used in this study. Taxol was administered bolus intravenously through the tail vein. Radiation was given by using a linear accelerator. There were four treatment categories, which had a total of 34 groups. Each group consisted of five animals. The first was the control category that had one group (n = 5). The second treatment category was taxol alone, which had three groups as per taxol dose alone (n = 15). The third treatment category was radiation alone, which had three groups as per the radiation dose (n = 15). The fourth treatment category was taxol plus radiation, which had 27 groups as per combined radiation dose plus taxol dose concentration and as per pre-treatment timing sequence of taxol before radiation (n = 135). Mice were sacrificed 24 h after taxol or radiation or combined administration using ether anesthesia. The cells were then dropped on two labeled slides, flamed, air dried, and stained in 7% Giemsa; 20-30 well-spread mitotic metaphases were analyzed for each animal; the cells with chromosome breaks, acentric fragments, and rearrangements were evaluated on x1,000 magnification with light microscope (Zeiss axioplan). The mitotic index was determined by counting the number of mitotic cells among 1,000 cells per animal. Differences between groups were evaluated with Student's t-test statistically. Taxol caused a dose-dependent increase in chromosomal aberrations (P = 0.027). Similarly, radiation caused a dose-dependent increase in chromosomal aberrations (P = 0.003) and decreased mitotic index (P = 0.002). In combination, there were a small enhancements at the 40 mg/kg taxol dose level and at 0.25 and 0.5 Gy radiation doses in the 48 h group. However, an increase in chromosomal aberrations was observed after 48 hours of taxol exposure when compared 12 or 24 h of taxol exposure (P = 0.001 and P = 0.019). These findings suggest that taxol at the high doses with low dose radiation caused radiosensitizing effect in bone marrow cells. Forty-eight-hour pretreatment of taxol exposure followed by radiation caused significant induction of chromosomal aberrations and a reduction of mitotic index when compared to other taxol timing sequence.

White-rot fungi, Coriolus versicolor and Funalia trogii, produced laccase on media with diluted olive-oil mill wastewater and vinasse. Addition of spent cotton stalks enhanced the laccase activity with a maximum after 12 d of cultivation.

Background. Numerous studies have recently been conducted to investigate genetic mechanisms in cancer causes and pathogenesis. Some of these studies have shown that there were certain specific chromosomal defects in normal cells of cancer patients and in their first-degree relatives. It was suggested that these individuals were susceptible to cancer development when compared with people without these defects. Materials and Methods. Chromosomal anomalies, such as gaps, breaks, and acentric fragments, and fragile site expression rates were determined in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures in 14 head and neck cancer patients, 17 first-degree relatives of these patients, and 20 healthy individuals as a control group in this study. RPMI 1640 medium, composed of aphidicolin, 5-bromodeoxyuridine, and caffeine were used for the induction of fragile sites. Results. In cytogenetic and statistical evaluation, it was observed that both chromosomal aberration rates and fragile site expression frequencies in head and neck cancer patients and in their first-degree relatives were significantly greater than the control group (p

Aims and Background The status of the axillary lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis has been accepted as one of the most important prognostic factors for the overall and disease-free survival of patients with breast cancer. The aim of our study was to determine which factors influence axillary node involvement in invasive breast cancer. Methods The data presented here were obtained from 344 patients who were treated for invasive breast cancer at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Uludag University Medical College, Bursa, Turkey. Possible prognostic factors were categorized as patient related and tumor related. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for univariate analysis and logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results In univariate analysis, a familial cancer history (P = 0.0042), age Conclusions In conclusion, absence of familial cancer history, presence of lymphatic vessel invasion, higher T stage, and age below 40 years independently increased the risk of axillary node involvement. Presence of perineural invasion and lymphatic vessel invasion, age below 40, and an extensive intraductal component of more than 25% independently affected the risk of having ≥4 nodes involved. Patients characterized by these factors may be classified into a higher risk group for nodal involvement, but more data are needed to define factors that can help in the decision-making regarding the omission of axillary treatment.

Purpose: We aim to determine infections occuring in patients with non-small cell lung cancer during radiotherapy (RT). Methods and materials: A total of 181 patients had been treated with thoracic radiotherapy between October 1995 and December 1999. Radiotherapy was given using 1.8-3 Gray (Gy) fraction daily, five fractions a week for a total dose of 59.4 Gy (30-70.2 Gy). A complete history was collected retrospectively for each patient. All microbiological examinations were performed according to the routine procedures of the hospital laboratory. Numeric and categoric variables were employed such as sex, age, performance status, histology, stage, chemotherapy, usage of corticosteroids, neutropenia, surgery, hospitalization, associated diseases, smoking during treatment, package per year of cigarette smoking, dose of radiotherapy, and response rates. Results: Infections developed in 84 patients (46%, 84/181) during thoracic radiotherapy. A 101 episodes of infections developed in these patients. Most patients suffered from sputum production (65%), cough (59%), auscultation findings (31%) and fever (31%). Gram-negative bacteria were the most frequently isolated pathogens in the cultures of specimens (70%, 16/23 samples). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR = 4.81; 95% CI, 1.57-9.12; p = 0.003) and neutropenia (OR = 4.25; 95% CI, 1.44-6.89; p = 0.009) were found as risk factors for influencing infection based on logistic regression analyses. Package per year of cigarette smoking was found statistically significantly higher in patients with infections than patients without infections (p = 0.001). A slight increase in infections, which was of borderline statistical significance (p = 0.07), was observed in patients age over 70. Ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin were the most frequently used agents in treatment. Median survival was 9 months in the patients with infection and 13 months in the 97 patients without infection. Overall survival seemed to be statistically significantly better in patients without infection than patients with infection (p = 0.042) calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Based on Cox regression analyses; overall survival was not correlated to presence of infection but associated with poor performance status ( 5940 cGy (OR = 2.06; 95% CI, 0.72-7.18; p = 0.007) and the absence of response to treatment (OR = 2.45; 95% CI, 0.89-14.23; p < 0.001) were also found to be risk factors for survival. Conclusions: Infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in lung cancer patients. The control of infection in these patients may improve the survival. Predisposing factors and treatment management approaches in non-small cell lung cancer should be defined carefully.

The aim of this study was to perform the dosimetric controls of lung cancer patients' IMRT treatment plans that generated by CTPS with using two different equipments and also to make comparison in terms of their reliability and practicability. Dosimetric investigation of 15 IMRT treatment plans which created by CTPS was performed by 2D-Array and EPID and then compared with gamma analysis. The overall median values obtained from comparision of 2D-Array and TPS for all plans were γmax= 1.207 (0.890 – 2.177) γort= 0.406 (0.326 – 0.508) and γ%≤ 1= 98.06 (95.05 – 100). And the overall median values obtained from comparision of EPID and TPS for all plans were γmax = 1.709 (1.265 – 4.324), γavg= 0.379 (0.257 – 0.531) and γ%≤ 1= 97.81 (95.02 – 99.82) for EPID. Although the overall results of IMRT plans verification using EPID and 2D-Array were within the tolerance levels, the results for γmax were higher in EPID. The differ-ences of spatial resolution was emphasized between two systems and thought that the result of differences caused by this spatial resolution differences. The measurement for low dose region, which is important for the lung cancer, EPID with its finer resolution is more suitable to detect the dosimetric errors caused by CTPS., Çalışmamızın amacı yoğunluk ayarlı radyoterapi (YART) tekniği ile tedavi edilen akciğer kanserli hastaların bilgisayarlı tedavi planma sistemi (BTPS) ile oluşturulan tedavi planlarının iki farklı dozimetrik ekipman kullanılarak doz kontrollerinin yapılması, bu ekipmanların güvenilirlik ve uygulanabilirlik açısından karşılaştırılmasıdır. BTPS ile oluşturulan 15 YART tedavi planlanın dozimetrik doğrulaması iki boyutlu düzlem dedektör (2D – Array) ve elektronik portal görüntüleme cihazı (EPID) ile yapılmıştır. Ölçümlerin BTPS verileri ile karşılaş-tırılmasında gamma analiz yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Ölçülen YART alanlarının dozimetrik doğrulamasında elde edilen gamma parametrelerinin medyan değerleri ve dağılım aralığı 2D Array için γmax= 1.207 (0.890 – 2.177) γort= 0.406 (0.326 – 0.508) ve γ%≤ 1= 98.06 (95.05 – 100), EPID için γmax= 1.709 (1.265 – 4.324), γort= 0.379 (0.257 – 0.531) ve γ%≤ 1= 97.81 (95.02 – 99.82) olarak bulunmuştur. Her iki sistem için de elde edilen sonuçların tedavi kabul koşullarını sağlamasına karşın EPID ile elde edilen γmax parametrelerinin 2D – Array'den daha yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. γmax parametresi açısından oluşan farkın iki dedektör arasındaki uzaysal çözünürlük farklılığından kaynaklandığı düşünülmektedir. EPID sisteminin yüksek uzaysal çözünürlüğü ile akciğer kanserleri için önemli olan düşük doz bölgelerinin ölçülmesinde daha uygun bir sistem olduğuna, BTPS'den kaynaklanan hataların belirlenmesinde daha güvenilir olacağı sonucuna varılmıştır.

Vertebra metastases can be seen during the prognosis of cancer patients. Treatment ways of the metastasis are radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Three-dimensional conformal therapy (3D-CRT) is widely used in the treatment of vertebra metastases. Also, Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) are used too. The aim of this study is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the different radiotherapy techniques. In the aspect of this goal, it is studied with a randophantom in Uludag University Medicine Faculty, Radiation Oncology Department. By using a computerized tomography image of the phantom, one 3DCRT plan, two VMAT and three IMRT plans for servical vertebra and three different 3DCRT plans, two VMAT and two IMRT plans for lomber vertebra are calculated. To calculate 3DCRT plans, CMS XiO Treatment System is used and to calculate VMAT and IMRT plans Monaco Treatment Planning System is used in the department. The study concludes with the dosimetric comparison of the treatment plans in the spect of critical organ doses, homogeneity and conformity index. As a result of this study, all critical organ doses are suitable for QUANTEC Dose Limit Report and critical organ doses depend on the techniques which used in radiotherapy. According to homogeneity and conformity indices, VMAT and IMRT plans are better than one in 3DCRT plans in servical and lomber vertebra radiotherapy plans.

The role of fungi in the treatment of wastewater has been extensively researched. Many genera of fungi have been employed for the dye decolourization either in living or dead form. In this study, the removal of an acidic dye, Indigo Carmine (IC), from an aqueous solution by biosorption on dead fungus, Pleurotus ostreatus, was investigated. The effects of contact time, initial dye concentration, amount of dead biomass, agitation rate and initial pH on dye removal have been determined. Experimental results show that an increase in the amount of dead biomass positively affected the dye removal. The highest removal was obtained at 150–200 rpm. Slightly lower removing activities were found at lower agitation rates. The dye adsorption effi ciency was not affected by pH except minor variation in the pH of 2–8. Color removal was observed to occur rapidly within 60 minutes. The removal of dye by dead biomass of P. ostreatus was clearly dependent on the initial dye concentration of the solution. Dye removal was reduced from 93% to 64% as concentration was increased from 50 to 500 mg/L Indigo Carmine. This study showed that it was possible to remove textile dyes by dead biomass of P. ostreatus.

The purpose of this study is comparing target and critical organ doses which are obtained by SSD method at the left breast radiotherapy with data obtained by 3D computer-based TPS and the control of dosimetric process by in-vivo dosimetric method. Tomography cutaways were taken CT simulator by 0.5 cm intervals, were contured on randophantom. Calibrated TLDs were placed the points defined in advance. Average of measurements values was calculated by 5 times irradiation for each method, target and critical organs doses were investigated. TPS and measured values were taken into acceptable limits under %5. Whereas average of dose calculated TPS three points in target by three-four field were respectively 206,67-209,03 cGy, the avarage of measured doses with TLD were respectively 208,55-210 cGy. Whereas the difference of measured and calculated doses heart and left lung with both methods were below %5, difference at right breast skin was calculated %14. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of recurrence and providing homogeneous dose distrubition in target and minimum level of steady tissues irradiation. The results of our study have shown in-vivo doses measurements made with TLD aren't ideal but helpful for defining the failures which may show up during treatment planning process., Çalışmamızın amacı sol meme radyoterapisinde, kaynak-cilt mesafeli (SSD- SOURCE SKIN DISTANCE) yöntemiyle elde edilen, hedef volüm ve kritik organ dozlarının üç boyutlu bilgisayarlı tedavi planlama sisteminden (BTPS) elde edilen verilerle karşılaştırarak in-vivo dozimetriyle doz hesaplama algoritmasında kullanılan dozimetrik sürecin kontrolüdür. Bilgisayarlı Tomografi Simülatör ile 0,5 cm aralıklarla tomografi kesitleri alınarak, randofantom üzerinde hedef volümler ve kritik organlar konturlandı. Kalibre edilen Termolüminesans Dozimetri (TLD) çipleri randofantom üzerine belirlenen noktalara yerleştirildi. Her teknik için 5'er kez ışınlama yapılarak ölçüm değerlerinin ortalaması elde edildi. Hedef hacim ve kritik organ dozları incelendi. BTPS ve ölçülen değerler arasında ±%5'in altındaki değerler kabul edilebilir sınırlar içine alındı. Üç ve dört alan SSD tekniğiyle hedef volüm içindeki üç noktada BTPS ile hesaplanan doz değerlerinin ortalaması sırasıyla 206.67 cGy ve 209.03 cGy, bu noktalarda TLD çipleri ile ölçülen dozların ortalaması sırasıyla 208.55 cGy ve 210.78 cGy'dir. Her iki teknikte de kalp ve akciğer noktalarında ölçülen ve hesaplanan dozlar arasındaki fark %5'in altındayken sağ meme cildinde %14'e varan farklar bulundu. Meme radyoterapisinin amacı; yinelenme olasılığını azaltmak ve hedef hacimde homojen doz dağılımını sağlayarak sağlam dokuları minimum düzeyde ışınlamaktır. Çalışmamızda elde edilen sonuçlar tedavi planlama sürecinde oluşabilecek hataların belirlenmesinde TLD ile yapılan doz ölçümlerinin, ideal olmasa da, yararlı olabileceğini göstermektedir.

Background: Data on intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) guide therapy in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), but current linear analytic methods are insufficiently sensitive and specific for prognosis in dynamic situations over time. Methods: We have developed algorithms incorporating continuous, automated, digital ICP and CPP monitoring data into a pressure times time "dose" function. In this study, we calculated cumulative doses using thresholds of ICP >20 mm Hg and CPP

In electron beam treatment, various calculation algorithms have been described for the change of dose disturbation and profiles caused by surface disorders and different source-skin-distance. The main issue of those algorithms is the necessity of dose profile changing measurement for each machine. The aim of this study was to experimentally assess the output values which were obtained by calculating the algorithms. The output scores for 6, 9, 12 and 15 MeV electron beams were obtained in different source-skin-distance as well as in different field sizes. Results were compared with the values which were obtained by using effective SSD method. When the output values were compared, the percentage difference in small field sizes was found to be more. Due to the reduction of field size and energy, the effective SSD is reduced. In higher energies, the measured dose is higher because of the high amount of scattering electrons. In particular for small field sizes and low energies, the effective SSD method gains more importance. Hence, in small fields and low energies, depending upon variable SSD, measurements should be done and gap correcting factors should be detected for each linear accelerator and air correcting factor should be used in Monitor Unit (MU) calculation., Elektron demetlerinde yüzey düzensizliği ve farklı kaynak yüzey mesafelerinde (SSD Source to Skin Distance) doz dağılımındaki ve profilindeki değişimi öngören değişik hesaplama algoritmaları tanımlanmıştır. Bu algoritmaların temel önerisi her cihazın doz profil değişiminin ölçülmesi gerektiğidir. Bu çalışmada hesaplama algoritmaları ile elde edilen output değerlerini deneysel olarak ölçerek kontrol etmeyi amaçladık. Çalışmamızda 6,9,12 ve 15 MeV elekron huzmelerinde farklı SSD'lerde farklı alan boyutlarında output değerleri ölçüldü. Bu değerler ile Efektif SSD yöntemine göre hesaplanan kuramsal değerlerle karşılaştırıldı. Output değerleri incelendiğinde küçük alanlarda yüzde farkın fazla olduğu görülmektedir. Enerji ve alan boyutu küçüldükçe etkin SSD değeri küçülmektedir. Yüksek enerjilerde saçılan elektronların fazla olması sebebiyle oluşan doz daha yüksek ölçülür. Sonuç olarak özellikle küçük alan ve düşük enerjilerde etkin SSD bulma yöntemi daha fazla önem kazanmaktadır. Bu nedenle küçük alan ve düşük enerjilerde değişen SSD'ye bağlı olarak her cihaz için ölçümler alınıp düzeltme faktörleri saptanmalı ve Monitör Unit (MU) hesaplamasında düzeltme faktörünün kullanımı gerekmektedir.

Calculation of integer heart rate variability (HRVi) permits monitoring over extended periods. We asked whether continuous monitoring of HRVi or integer pulse pressure (PP) variability (PPVi) could predict intracranial hypertension, defined as ICP20 mm Hg, cerebral hypoperfusion, defined as CPP60 mm Hg, mortality or functional outcome after severe traumatic brain injury. Dense integer data collected during continuous intensive care unit monitoring for periods of 1 to 11 days on 25 patients admitted to our Level I trauma center with Glasgow Coma Scale9 provided 1,715,000 data points over a mean 106±62 hours. PP, HRVi, and PPVi increased in response to increasing ICP when CPP60 mm Hg (P0.001), but HRVi and PPVi decreased when CPP60 mm Hg and P50 mm Hg, even with ICP20 mm Hg (P0.001). ICP up to 40 mm Hg still evoked an increase in HRVi and PPVi (P0.001), but both were suppressed with CPP50 mm Hg and ICP40 mm Hg (actual or impending brain death). Mean HRVi and PPVi predicted in-hospital mortality (sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 91% to 100%). Combining HRVi and PPVi as an "autonomic index" (AI) best predicted long-term functional outcome [Area Under the Curve: 0.84±0.08 for AI0.5]. Our data show that HRVi and PPVi can be monitored and calculated automatically and can provide useful prognostic information in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, particularly when combined into a single index.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with capecitabine in cases with locally advanced rectal cancer. 26 cases with stage II-III rectal adenocarcinoma, treated with postoperative CRT with capecitabine at Uludag University Faculty of Medicine Radiotherapy Center, between March 2004-January 2007, were evaluated retrospectively. The radiotherapy was delivered with a boost dose of 50.4-54 Gray (Gy) totally and capecitabine was given median 1650 mg/m²/day (range, 1300- 1650). The median 2- year overall survival (OS) was 80%, and during the median follow-up time of 19 months (range, 1-30) there was no locoregional recurrence. Grade 3 leucopenia and diarrhea were observed in one (4%) and two (8%) cases, respectively. Although the insufficiency of follow-up time and the number of cases, we concluded that the concomitant postoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine may be an effective and tolerabl treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer., Çalışmanın Amacı lokal ileri evre rektum kanserli olgularda postoperatif radyoterapi (RT) ile eş zamanlı kapesitabin uygulanmasının etkinliğini ve tolere edilebilirliğini değerlendirmektir. Mart 2004-Ocak 2007 tarihleri arasında Uludağ Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Radyoterapi Merkezi'nde postoperatif radyoterapi ile eş zamanlı kapesitabin uygulanan evre II-III rektum adenokarsinomlu 26 olgu retrospektif değerlendirildi. Olgulara RT boost dozu ile birlikte toplam 50.4- 54 Gray (Gy), kapesitabin ortanca 1650 mg/m²/gün (minimum-maksimum : 1300- 1650) dozda uygulandı. Ortanca iki yıllık genel sağkalım (GSK) oranı %80 olup, ortanca 19 aylık (minimum-maksimum: 1-30) izlem süresinde hiçbir olguda lokal yineleme görülmedi. Grade 3 lökopeni ve diyare sırasıyla bir (%4) ve iki (%8) olguda gözlendi. İzlem süresi ve olgu sayısının yetersizliğine rağmen lokal ileri evre rektum kanserinde radyoterapi ile eş zamanlı kapesitabin uygulanımı etkin ve tolere edilebilir olması nedeniyle alternatif tedavi olarak önerilebilir.

5-Fluorouracil-based chemoradiotherapy is the most widely used treatment modality in the adjuvant treatment of rectal cancer. Capecitabine represents a valuable alternative to 5-Fluorouracil in this situation.Patients with stage II and stage III rectal adenocarcinoma, who were included in this analysis, received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy consisting of external-beam radiotherapy (50.4-54Gy) either with 5-Fluorouracil at a median dose of 300 mg/m2/day by protracted venous infusion for 5 days a week, or capecitabine at a median dose of 1650 mg/m2/day for 5 days a week after surgery. The data concerning the toxicity and the efficacy of the treatments were compared in patients treated with 5-Fluorouracil- and capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy.Forty-three patients received 5-Fluorouracil, and 24 patients received capecitabine during adjuvant radiotherapy. Although there were no differences between the groups in terms of toxicity rates, distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates; a trend for improved loco-regional recurrence-free survival rate was observed in the capecitabine arm (p = 0.063).Capecitabine is at least as effective as 5-Fluorouracil in the postoperative treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma. Considering the trend for improved loco-regional recurrence-free survival rate in the capecitabine arm, it seems that the drug exerts better synergy with radiotherapy in this situation.

Dead fungal biomass prepared from Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Funalia trogii was tested for their efficiency in removal of textile dyes. The effects of contact time, initial dye concentration, amount of dead biomass and agitation rate on dye removal have been determined. Removal of all dyes required a very short time (60 min). Experimental results show that, P. chrysosporium was more effective than F. trogii. An increase in the amount of dead biomass positively affected of the dye removal. The removal efficiency of different amount of biomass was in order 1 g > 0.5 g > 0.2 g > 0.1 g. The highest removal was obtained at 150 – 200 rpm. Slightly lower removing activities were found at lower agitation rates. This study showed that it was possible to remove textile dyes by dead biomass of P. chrysosporium. Dyes are used in large quantities in many industries including textile, leather, cosmetics, paper, printing, plastic, pharmaceuticals, food, etc. to color their products (GARG et al. 2004). Over 10.000 dyes with an annual production over 7 × 10 5 metric tons worldwide are commercially available and 5–10% of the dyestuffs are lost in industrial effluents (WONG and YU 1999). These effluents from dye manufacturing and consuming industries are highly colored coupled with high chemical and biological demands (COD and BOD) and suspended solids. Discharge of such effluents imparts color to receiving streams and affects its aesthetic value. Color interferes with penetration of sunlight into waters, retards photosynthesis, inhibits the growth of aquatic biota and interferes with gas solubility in water

To determine the percentage of responders and the resectability rate for patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the rectum treated by infusional 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy and pelvic radiation.Twenty-four patients with a diagnosis of locally advanced unresectable rectal cancer received preoperative 5-fluorouracil by intravenous infusion at the dose of 250-300mg/m2/day concurrent with pelvic radiation (median 50.4 Gy/28 fractions). Surgery was performed with a mean delay of 15 days after completion of irradiation and included 11 abdominoperineal resections and five anal sphincter-preserving procedures.The median follow-up was 22 months. Complete histological response occurred in 6%, and tumor down-staging in 58% of cases. There was a significant difference in the rate of local control based on the distance of the tumor from the anal verge (5.4cm; p=0.046). Our results have suggested the importance of the total dose on the local control (p=0.061). Higher local failure rate has been observed with prolonged treatment time (p=0.018). With metastasis-free survival as the endpoint, only stage (p=0.027) was a statistically significant prognostic factor.The favorable influence of higher doses of preoperative radiotherapy on pathologic stage has been observed. Even after preoperative radiotherapy, postoperative staging remained a prognostic factor.