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Background: The aim of the study was to determine sex and age from hyoid bone morphology on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: The study sample comprised 130 CBCT images. Eight different measurements were performed for each hyoid bone. Fusion conditions were assigned to each side of the hyoid bone separately as; unfused, partially fused, and totally fused. Results: The hyoid length, width of the left proximal end and stature variables showed sexual dimorphism in all hyoid fusion types (p < 0.05). In young adult age group, a significant difference was found between sex and fusion types (p = 0.025). The body length (81.35%) and stature measurements (76.25%) contributed most significantly to sex estimation. Conclusions: Patient's CBCT scans which enable reproducible and reliable measurements for bone tissues can be used for forensic procedures. Hyoid bone measurements with CBCT are useful methodology for age and sex estimation in forensic sciences with high predictive accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing literature documents that computer simulations can reveal how characteristics of micro-level individuals give rise to macro-level phenomena of systemic wholes. This paper seeks to establish such an important simulation-based observation as a theoretical result on a sound foundation. Going beyond addressing when holistic phenomena can naturally emerge from micro-level characteristics, this paper investigates how and why many macro-level entities appear to answer market calls through organically gathering micro-level agents into uniformly-oriented operational wholes, even though these agents have inconsistent or even conflicting interests. This paper develops conclusions based on results of systems science and establishes a sufficient condition under which characteristics of micro-level agents can naturally lead to the appearance of macro-level properties of a systemic whole even though the former are heterogeneous and behave in an unintended and uncoordinated manner. This paper suggests to root each theoretical result of economics on elementary facts of personal belief-value systems and expands methods of networks and computer simulations to those of systems science. It explains when macro socioeconomic phenomena emerge out of unintended and uncoordinated actions and interactions of micro economic men, and provides a more general approach for developing reliable conclusions than those observed from computer simulations. It additionally derives conditions for when macro-level economic entities appear to answer market calls and how micro-level individuals with inconsistent or even conflicting interests can be organically congregated into operational business organizations.

Simulation programs are a useful and effective tool for analysis of projects requiring high investment costs, studies to improve the functioning of an existing system, and the analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency. They make it possible to control of system or substructure by less investment cost. Simulation models are often used in port modeling, capacity analysis, queue size and port efficiency. In this study, simulation model of loading terminals of the BOTAŞ Ceyhan pipeline were done. For this reason, AWESIM simulation program was used. This modeling evaluated for 365 days and each ship has approached the port with intervals of 12-24, 12-36, 24-36 and 24-48 hours. Stormy days in a year have been assumed as 30. Each ship demands trailer and pilotage service when approaching and leaving the port. In this simulation model; ship types, capacities, coming frequencies, loading times, maneuvering time and transportation capacity of BOTAŞ Ceyhan Marine Terminal were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the γ-ray spectrometric analysis of the radionuclides, a correction factor is generally required for the spectral interfering γ-rays in determining the net areas of the analytical peaks because some interfering γ-rays often might contribute to the analytical peaks of interest. In present study, a correction methodology for the spectral interfering γ-rays (CSI) is described. In particular, in the analysis of 232Th contained in samples, the interfering γ-rays due to 226Ra, 235U, 238U and their decay products often overlap to the peaks of interest from 232Th decay products, and vise versa. For the validation of the proposed CSI method, several certified reference materials (CRM) containing U and Th were measured by using a 76.5% efficient n-type Ge detector. The required correction factors were quantified for spectral interference, self-absorption and true coincidence summing (TCS) effects for the relevant γ-rays. The measured results indicate that if one ignores the contributions of the interfering γ-rays to the analytical peaks at 583.2keV of 208Tl and 727.3keV of 212Bi, this leads to a significantly systematic influence on the resulted activities of 232Th. The correction factors required for spectral interference and TCS effects are estimated to be ∼13.6% and ∼15.4% for 583.2keV peak. For the 727.3keV peak, the correction factor is estimated to be ∼15% for spectral interference, and ∼5% for the TCS effects at the presently used detection geometry. On the other hand, the measured results also indicate that ignoring the contribution of the interfering γ-rays to the areas of the analytical peaks at 860.6keV of 208Tl, 338.3 and 911.2keV of 228Ac does not lead to any significant systematic influence on the 232Th analysis. Because these factors are remained generally less than ∼5%, i.e., within overall uncertainty limits. The present study also showed that in view of both the spectral interference and TCS effects, the “cleaner” analytical peaks are seen at 338.3keV (11.25%) and 911.2keV (26.13%) of 228Ac when high resolution γ-rays spectrometry was used in the 232Th activity measurements. Therefore, they can be adopted as the “reference” peaks in the 232Th analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Objectivies: In this study, the harmful effects of formaldehyde (FA) on serum testosterone levels and epididymal sperm characteristics were investigated. In addition, possible protective effect of lavender oil was evaluated. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 21 adult male Wistar-Albino rats were used. The rats of group I was used as control group. The rats of group II were exposed FA (10 ppm/1 hour) for 35 days. The rats of group III inhaleted lavender oil (1 ml/1 hour) with FA. Results: While the testosterone levels, the epididymal sperm concentration and the progressive sperm motility were significantly decreased, the abnormal sperm rate was significantly increased in FA treated group when compared to control group. However, in group III, the epididymal sperm concentration and the progressive sperm motility were significantly increased, the abnormal sperm rate was significantly decreased in comparison with the FA treated group. Conclusion: It can be expressed that serious damages occurred via formaldehyde exposure in reproductive system and that the lavender oil had protective effects against these damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry was used in the analysis of 234U and 230Th in samples, there is a much more need to correct for the measured activity results of 234U and 230Th mainly due to self-absorption effects and the interfering lines from 226Ra, 235U, 238U and their decay products that often might be present in the samples. Therefore, in the present study, the methods for the spectral interference corrections for the analytical peaks of 234U and 230Th are suggested to take into account the contributions of the overlapping gamma rays to these peaks. For the method validation, direct gamma-ray spectrometric measurements were carried out using certified reference materials (CRM) by use of a 76.5 % n-type Ge detector. The activities measured for the CRM samples were corrected for spectral interferences, self-absorption and true coincidence-summing (TCS) effects. The obtained results indicate that ignoring of the contribution of the interference gamma rays to the main analytical peak at 53.2 keV of 234U leads to a lager systematic error of 87.3–90.4 % for the measured activities of 234U, and similarly if one ignores the contributions of the interference gamma rays to the main analytical peak at 67.7 keV of 230Th, this leads to a much smaller systematic error of 2.1–2.7 % for the activities of 230Th. Therefore, the required correction factors for spectral interferences to the analytical peaks of 234U and 230Th are not negligible and thus they should also be considered besides necessary self-absorption factors to determine more accurate activities in the samples. On the other hand, it is estimated that although the TCS effects on the main analytical peaks of both 234U and 230Th are negligibly small, those TCS correction factors for their interference gamma rays to these peaks should be taken into account when direct measurements are performed in a close-counting geometry condition. Otherwise, the resulted activities can have serious erroneous results for both 234U and 230Th while using gamma-ray spectrometry, thereby leading to inaccuracies in their derived quantities, for instance, the corresponding age determinations of the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study aimed to evaluate whether maternal presence during induction has additional beneficial effects on a mother's anxiety or changes in the child's behavior when an information booklet was given to all mothers and premedication was given to all patients. One hundred children, aged 2-10 years, scheduled for ambulatory surgery were randomly assigned to a mother-present (Group M) or mother-absent group (Group C) after premedication with intranasal midazolam. All mothers were informed about general anesthesia with a detailed information booklet. Preoperatively (pre) and one week after the operation (post), maternal anxiety was assessed using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Post- hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire (PHBQ) was used to measure changes in children's behavior. Anesthesia was induced using sevoflurane-oxygen-nitrous oxide inhalation. The anesthesiologist graded the level of the children's stress at anesthesia induction with a four-point scale. There were no differences between the two groups regarding demographics, anxiety levels of the mothers and postoperative behavioral changes and stress scores of the children (p>0.05 between the groups *p<0.05 within groups). In summary, maternal presence during induction in addition to premedication for children and information booklets for mothers had no additive effects in terms of reducing the mother's or the child's anxiety or postoperative behavioral changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eiji Kose,1 Taesong An,2 Akihiko Kikkawa,2 Yoshiaki Matsumoto,3 Hiroyuki Hayashi1 1Department of Pharmacotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, 2Yokosuka Kyousai Hospital, Yokosuka, 3Department of Clinical Pharmacokinetics, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, Japan Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease complications. Therefore, medical institutions conduct educational hospitalization for early treatment and education of CKD patients. However, patients who have been discharged after achieving educational targets can end up showing poor symptoms at home. There also have been several cases of rehospitalization or disease aggravation. In this study, we analyzed rehospitalized patients who were discharged from the hospital after CKD educational hospitalization and investigated the purpose of analyzing rehospitalization factors. Materials and methods: This was an observational case-control study conducted at Yokosuka Kyousai Hospital. We performed univariate analysis using patient background features and laboratory data between a rehospitalization group and a no-rehospitalization group. Next, we performed multiple logistic regression analysis using the results of the univariate analysis. Results: From the results of this study, we identified independent risk factors, such as serum albumin level, heart-failure complications, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Moreover, the serum Alb level was identified as the most important risk factor for rehospitalization. Therefore, we considered that it is important to live a life that makes it possible to maintain CKD stage G3b for a long time after discharge, because the cutoff level of eGFR is 31 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Conclusion: We believe that it is important to educate patients, their families, and medical staff on the importance of early detection and treatment, and we consider that this approach is important to inclusively protect the kidney. Keywords: albumin, glomerular filtration rate, cardiovascular disease, stages of chronic kidney disease

Minimizing the effect of climatic conditions and energy consumption in buildings are important issues to be considered in the building design process. Due to the changes in climatic conditions, there is an increase not only in the consumption of heating energy but also cooling energy. Certain passive measures to be taken primarily for the building envelope are necessary in order to reduce energy consumption. Applying a phase-change material on the surface of a building envelope is one of the new approaches for controlling heat transfer through the building envelope during the cooling period. It is known that phase-change materials, which are also considered as modern versions of thermal mass concept, can reduce the of a building’s heating and cooling energy consumption. In this study, a unit with 10m to 10m dimension with one external facade in a 3 storey building was evaluated in two cities, Istanbul and Diyarbakır, in temperate-humid and hot dry climatic regions. In order to reduce heating and cooling loads, a phase-change material was applied on the surface of the building envelope. The thickness of the phase-change material on the applied surface was increased at every step, and different building envelope alternatives were created. Heating and cooling energy consumptions were calculated for different orientations of the external facade. When calculated values are evaluated comparatively, it is seen that as the thickness of the phase-change material increases, the energy loads occurred in the unit decrease gradually. Equally, the performance of the phase-change materials varies depending on the orientation. Therefore, it is possible to determine the optimum thickness and orientation combination of the phase-change material application on a building envelope and reduce heating and cooling energy consumptions.

Objectives: Hysterectomy is called to removal of the uterus by abdominal, vaginal or laparoscopy. Hysterectomy can be done benign or malignant reasons. In this study, the abdominal hysterectomy for benign pathology such as abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine myoma, postmenopausal bleeding, uterine prolapse, benign ovarian cysts, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyps were evaluated.polyps were evaluated. Methods: The data of patients files with hysterectomy since 2010 were screened retrospectively in Gynecology and Obstetrics outpatient clinic. The vaginal hysterectomy due to uterine prolapse were excluded from the study. Demographic data, operative time, postoperative complications, pathology findings were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the 37 patients was 52.4 (41-64) year. In 21 (56.76%) of these patients uterine myoma, in 6 patients (16.22%) dysfunctional uterine bleeding, in 5 patients (13.52%) endometrial hyperplasia, in 2 patients (5.40%) adenomyosis, in 2 patients (5.40%) postmenopausal bleeding, and in one patient (2.70%) the endometrial polyps were present. Abdominal hysterectomy was performed classic phannenstiel incision. The average operation time was 65 minutes (55-90). None of the patients had drains inserted. The mean of hospitalisation time was 3.2 (2-5) days. One patient had postoperative blood transfusion. No complications were reported in other patients. Conclusion: Hysterectomy procedure, when done with appropriate indications and surgical techniques is a process that is less risk of complications, safe and successful procedure. A rapid improvement in symptoms after the hysterectomy, the patient's quality of life resolves and becomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Kidney stone formation is a relatively common condition. In the treatment of the stone, protective measures should be taken primarily, if stone is composed, firstly crushing is done with sound waves from outside the body, when it does not crush the stone, surgery is performed. Previously, open surgery and minimally invasive methods were in use, now stones achieved by entering into the body in a natural way, and the stones are cleaned as a result of technological developments. Stone localization is also important in the treatment of kidney stones. The most difficult ones to treat are stones located to the lower calyx of the kidney. In this study, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), which is being implemented in our clinic, success was evaluated in the treatment of the lower calyx stones. Methods: Ten patients were evaluated retrospectively who underwent RIRS due to kidney stone in lower calyx in last 1 year. Results: There is not any pediatric patient in the study group. The mean age of the patients was 51.6 (28-81) years. There are three male and seven patients female. The average size of stone was calculated 1.45 (1-2) cm. In one patient, there was a stone too in the upper calyx as well as in the lower calyx Stones and had cleaned in the same operation. The avaradge hospitalitation time was calculated as 1.1 days (1-2). One patient had residual stone and then the process was repeated. None of the patients had any complications. Conclusion: Urinary stone disease prevalence is 2-3%. Some of the factors affecting the formation of urinary stone disease are; genetics, gender, age, geography, climate, age, occupation, obesity, fluid intake etc.There is still not any drug prevents the formation of stones in the urinary tract. RIRS is safe to treat kidney stones in the lower calyx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of the treatment of lower calyx stones less than other calices because of the structure of lower pole kidney. The infundibulum, anatomical section between calicies and renal pelvis, is one of the factors that affect the broken stones thrown out of the calyx. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is widely using for treatment kidney stones extensively. In this study, the effect of the diameter of the infundibulum on the success of ESWL was investigated by analysis the data from patients with lower pole calyx stones. The patients divided into two groups; group I: the diameter of infundibulum 45 mm, group II: the diameter of infundibulum >5 mm. In conclusion, when considering the patients have similar stone characteristics, the success of the lithotripsy in patients with infundibular diameter large than 5 mm more than others. This study published in İnönü Üniversitesi SağhkBilimleri Dergisi 2013;1:43-45. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the spectral interferences are investigated for the analytical peaks at 63.3keV of 234Th and 1001.0keV of 234mPa, which are often used in the measurement of 238U activity by the γ-ray spectrometry. The correction methods are suggested to estimate the net peak areas of the γ-rays overlapping the analytical peaks, due to the contribution of 232Th that may not be negligible in materials rich in natural thorium. The activity results for the certified reference materials (CRMs) containing U and Th were measured with a well type Ge detector. The self-absorption and true coincidence-summing (TCS) effects were also taken into account in the measurements. It is found that ignoring the contributions of the interference γ-rays of 232Th and 235U to the mixed peak at 63.3keV of 234Th (238U) leads to the remarkably large systematic influence of 0.8–122% in the measured 238U activity, but in case of ignoring the contribution of 232Th via the interference γ-ray at 1000.7keV of 228Ac to the mixed peak at 1001keV of 234mPa (238U) results in relatively smaller systematic influence of 0.05–3%, depending on thorium contents in the samples. The present results showed that the necessary correction for the spectral interferences besides self-absorption and TCS effects is also very important to obtain more accurate 238U activity results. Additionally, if one ignores the contribution of 232Th to both 238U and 40K activities in materials, the maximum systematic influence on the effective radiation dose is estimated to be ~6% and ~1% via the analytical peaks at 63.3 and 1001keV for measurement of the 238U activity, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study aims to explore the hepatoprotective potential of Lavandula stoechas (LS) against Bisphenol A (BPA)-induced liver toxicity. In this experiment, 32 male rats were utilized and categorized into control, LS, BPA, and BPA + LS groups for the study. Each group received 50 mg/kg of the respective substance. Throughout the 28-day experiment, the control group did not receive any applications. The LS oil was administered intraperitoneally, while BPA was given through oral gavage. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized, and blood was taken from the heart. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TB) values were measured from serum samples. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) measurements were performed in liver tissue. The histological structure was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining methods. The BPA group showed higher AST levels compared to the control group, but the BPA + LS group exhibited a significant decrease in AST levels compared to the BPA group. Additionally, TB levels were lower in the BPA + LS group compared to the BPA group. MDA levels increased in BPA-treated groups compared to others. The LS-treated groups showed higher SOD levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, an evident increase was noted in the BPA + LS group in comparison to the BPA group. The BPA group exhibited a significant rise in OSI value compared to the control. It was concluded that LS has a protective impact against BPA-induced liver toxicity. The LS-treated groups showed higher SOD levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, a significant increase was noted in the BPA + LS group in comparison to the BPA group. The BPA group exhibited a significant rise in OSI value compared to the control. It was concluded that LS has a protective impact against BPA-induced liver toxicity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Meriç Delta, which has a wide variety of ecosystems, is an A Class Wetland and the most significant natural stagnant freshwater ecosystem located in the south-western of Thrace Region of Türkiye. In this research, heavy metals (Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb) were investigated in the surface water and Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) obtained from Meriç Delta lakes (Gala, Pamuklu, Sığırcı, and Dalyan), which are located on an important migration route of water birds. The heavy metals in surface water samples and fish tissues were determined by ICP-MS. Dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation (%), pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and total phosphorus parameters were measured in surface waters. High total phosphorus content was detected in the investigated region. The measured As, Cr, and Ni values in water samples were determined to be higher than Türkiye Regulation Standards criteria. Fish were taken from Gala and Sığırcı Lake. The mean concentrations of measured heavy metals were found to be below permissible values in fish muscle and gill. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and total THQ values (HI) of all heavy metals did not exceed the limit value., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Objective: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by progressive neurologic and extraneurologic findings. The aim of this retrospective, descriptive study was to explore the time of presentation and diagnosis, and to expand the phenotype and genotype of CTX, based on a nationwide and comprehensive series of patients in Turkey., Methods: The demographic, clinical, biochemical and genotypic characteristics of the CTX patients were reviewed. Data on molecular analysis, age of onset and diagnosis, diagnostic delay, neurologic and extraneurologic symptomatology, results of plasma cholestanol levels, brain magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography at the time of diagnosis were reviewed., Results: 100 confirmed CTX patients from 72 families were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 28.16 ± 14.28 years, and diagnostic delay was 18.39 ± 13.71 years. 36 patients were diagnosed in childhood. Frequency of intention tremor (p = 0.069), peripheral neuropathy (p = 0.234) and psychiatric manifestations (p = 0.396) did not differ between two groups, demonstrating the high rate in pediatric patients. Three adult patients showed a milder phenotype without neurologic involvement. Seven patients had normal plasma cholestanol levels despite neurological impairment. Sequencing of the CYP27A1 gene revealed 25 different variants, with a novel c.671&#95;672del variant not previously described in literature., Conclusion: Based on the observations of this Turkish CTX cohort, it is emphasized that the true prevalence of CTX is probably underestimated and that it has a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes even without neurological impairment. In children, abnormal cerebellar findings, peripheral neuropathy and psychiatric findings associated with intellectual disability have been suggested as warning signs to avoid diagnostic delay. In cases of clinical suspicion, molecular analysis is recommended despite normal plasma cholestanol levels, as severe neurologic involvement may occur in CTX patients without elevated cholestanol levels., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Authors state no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: One of the most common causes of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in childhood is mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). While ultrasonography (US) can aid in the diagnosis of CTS in adult patients, there is limited experience of this in the pediatric group. We aimed to investigate the results of wrist ultrasonography, which may be a candidate alternative to electrophysiological examination., Methods: The participants were evaluated for symptoms, physical examination findings, electrophysiological tests and grayscale US. CTS was diagnosed in accordance with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline., Results: Included in the study were 27 MPS patients aged 4.5-32 years and 30 healthy control subjects aged 4.3-26 years. Of the 54 wrists in the MPS group, 30 were diagnosed with CTS. The median cross-sectional area (CSA) at the proximal carpal tunnel, the CSA at the forearm, and the wrist-forearm ratio (WFR) were higher in the wrists of the MPS with CTS group than in those without CTS and the healthy control subjects. The WFR cutoff of ≥1.35, 56.6% (95% CI: 437.4-74.5) sensitivity, and 89.8% (95% CI: 81.0-95.5) specificity were consistent with a diagnosis of CTS (receiver operating characteristics analysis, area under the curve = 0.775, 95% CI: 0.673-0.877)., Conclusion: Although the US provides results with unsatisfactory specificity and sensitivity, it is a candidate for further investigation for the diagnosis of CTS because it is an innovative, noninvasive, and more accessible method. WFR value may produce more meaningful results than wrist or forearm nerve area measurements., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None of the authors declare any potential conflicts of interest related to the publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)