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Bala is located in Central Anatolia and is a sub-basin of the Tuzgölü basin, which consists of many basins formed in response to the closure of the Neotethys ocean. The evaporites in Bala sub-basin formed under the influence of regional uplifting during the Middle Eocene period with gradual shallowing in response to the structural compressional regime. The Bala sub-basin comprises four units from bottom to top: the Lower Unit (BU1) consisting of mudstone, claystone with limestone layers; the Evaporites (BU2) containing dominant gypsum with anhydrite; mixed siliciclastic-carbonate-evaporitic deposits (BU3); and the Upper Unit (BU4) containing conglomerate-sandstone-claystone and siltstones. The evaporitic unit, which are the main subject of study consists of primary selenitic gypsum, anhydrite, locally celestite crystals and secondary gypsum formed due to the anhydritization of primary gypsum and then hydration of these anhydrites. The results obtained from mineralogical-petrographic, geochemical and isotopic (δ18O and δ34S) investigations indicate that these evaporites were deposited in shallow marine to sabkha environments dominated by arid conditions. The presence of primary selenite crystals, the anhydrite with nodular, chicken-wire, and mosaic structures support precipitation occurred in a partially saline shallow water. The excessive thickness of the evaporitic accumulation, chaotic masses including gypsum breccia, salt diapirs and dome structures are attributed to tectonic processes acting during the formation of the Central Anatolian basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bee stinger is the defense organ of honeybees. The venom sac of a worker bee is connected to its stinger, which is used as a defense mechanism, and it has a potent and complex combination of substances that is unique in the animal kingdom. Many immune-related illnesses have been successfully treated with bee venom and recent evidence on the efficacy of applications targeting malignancies has attracted considerable attention.

Equilibrium, thermodynamic, and kinetic studies were carried out for the adsorption of cadmium(II) ions from aqueous solution using high surface area (2,613 m2/g) microporous activated carbon prepared fromEuphorbia rigidaby chemical activation. Optimum adsorption conditions were determined as a function of pH, adsorbent dosage, initial metal ion concentration, contact time, and temperature of solution. Adsorption data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption process obeys the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° showed feasible, chemical, spontaneous, and endothermic adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Although various inflammatory markers have been studied in patients with slow coronary flow (SCF), serum neopterin levels have not been studied previously. We investigated the serum neopterin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and the relationship between neopterin and hs-CRP levels and TIMI flow in patients with SCF. METHODS: The study group consisted of 51 patients with SCF. An age and gender matched control group was composed of 40 subjects. Coronary flow rates of all patients and control subjects were documented by Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count. We measured serum neopterin and hs-CRP levels at the same time in patients with SCF and control subjects in this cross-sectional observational study. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and unpaired t tests, Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The TIMI frame counts for all coronary arteries and the mean TIMI frame count were significantly higher in the SCF group than controls. Serum neopterin levels were significantly higher among patients with SCF when compared with control group (2.13±1.03 vs. 1.60±0.50 ng/ml; p=0.004). Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher among patients with SCF when compared with control group (2.06±1.32 vs. 0.74±0.40 mg/L respectively; p<0.001). There was a significant association of serum neopterin levels ([beta]=0.60, 95% CI: 4.93-9.06, p<0.001) and serum hs-CRP levels ([beta]=0.29, 95%CI: 0.84-4.33, p=0.004) with mean TIMI frame count independent of potential confounders such as age, gender, body mass index, smoking, glucose and cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: We have shown that serum neopterin and hs-CRP levels were significantly elevated in patients with SCF when compared with control subjects. Serum neopterin and hs-CRP levels were correlated with mean TIMI frame count in patients with SCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the QT intervals at different rest heart rates in healthy middle-aged Turkish men and to compare the known four QT adjusting methods for heart rate.Methods and Results: The QT intervals were measured in electrocardiograms of 210 healthy men (mean age = 35-60 years). A curve relating QT intervals and heart rates from 45 to 135 beats/min was constructed for study population. Based on the formula of Bazett, Fridericia, and Framingham, adjusted QT intervals in these range of heart rates were separately estimated. An adjusting nomogram for different heart rates was created using a reference value, which was the measured QT interval at heart rate of 60 beats/min (QT(No) = QT + correcting number). These four QT correction methods were compared with each other. The reference value of QT interval at heart rate of 60 beats/min was 382 ms. The relationship between QT and RR interval was linear (r = 0.66, P < 0.001). Nomogram method corrected QT interval most accurately for all the heart rates compared with other three adjusting methods. At heart rates of 60-100 beats/min, the equation of linear regression was QT = 237 + 0.158 x RR (P < 0.001). Bazett's formula gave the poorest results at all the heart rates. The formulas of Fridericia and Framingham were superior to Bazett's formula; however, they overestimated QT interval at heart rate of 60-110 beats/min (P < 0.01). At lower rates (<60 beats/min), all methods except nomogram method, underestimated QT interval (P = 0.03).Conclusion: Among four QT correction formulas, the nomogram method provides the most accurately adjusted values of QT interval for all the heart rates in healthy men. Bazett's formula fails to adjust the QT interval for all the heart rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this prospective study is to determine the preoperative plasma D-dimer and serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) levels of patients scheduled for curative surgical resection for colorectal cancer and to evaluate the significance of these levels on the prognosis and postoperative survival rate. One hundred sixty-five patients with colorectal cancer, who were scheduled to have elective resection between January 2008 and January 2011, were included in the study. A significant increase was observed in the D-dimer levels, particularly in poorly differentiated tumors. The distance covered by the tumor inside the walls of the colon and rectum (T-stage) was significant for both D-dimer and CEA levels. As the T-stage increased, there was also a significant increase in the D-dimer and CEA levels. A high significance and correlation level was detected between the TNM staging and both D-dimer and CEA. A significant relationship was found between the advanced tumor stage and short postoperative survival rate of patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, the analysis of preoperative D-dimer and CEA levels can be useful in predicting the stage and differentiation of the tumor and the postoperative survival rate.

The article presents abstracts on medical topics including a study to assess the mean platelet volume (MPV), periprocedural bleeding in chronically anticoagulated patients and efficacy of eliminating hyperpigmentation with the use of intense pulse light generator (IPL).

An abstract of the article "Second trimester fetal and maternal epicardial fat thickness in gestational diabetic pregnancies," by A. Yavuz and colleagues is presented.