Showing papers by "Celal Bayar University published in 1997"

Increased serum copper and decreased serum zinc levels in children with iron deficiency anemia

Abstract: In order to evaluate serum copper and zinc status in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), 60 children with IDA aged 1–14 yr and 64 healthy children as controls aged 1–14 yr were included the study. Serum copper levels were higher in children with IDA (189 ± 49 (Μg/dL) than those of controls (163 ± 37 Μg/dL) (p = 0.001). Serum zinc levels were lower in the patient group (109 ± 59 Μg/dL) than those of control subjects (135 ± 56 Μg/dL) (p = 0.017). In addition, there were statistically significant negative correlations between hematological parameters and serum copper levels in the patient group, but not in controls. No correlation between hematological parameters and serum zinc levels were found in both patient and control groups, except positive correlation between mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and serum zinc level in patients.

A new experimental in vitro culture medium for cultivation of Leishmania species

Abstract: A new liquid culture medium prepared with chemicals that can be obtained economically and commercially was tested in in vitro cultivation of Leishmania promastigotes to obtain a large number of organisms to use in serological studies. The number of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica promastigotes taken from Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium reached 1 x 10(7)/ml at the end of the 8th day in our new medium, though in NNN medium the number of organisms reached only 5 x 10(6)/ml. After 10 subsequent passages, the culture medium prepared was evaluated as being quite inexpensive, simple, and successful compared with other commercially available liquid culture media.

Research on Chemical Composition of Some Varieties of European Plums (Prunus domestica) Adapted to the Aegean District of Turkey

Abstract: The physical characteristics and chemical composition of 11 plum varieties adapted to the Aegean region of Turkey at Ege Agricultural Research Institute, Izmir, were investigated. Variety Giant had the most fruit weight within all the plum varieties and it was followed by Krikon Damson, Tuleu Timpuriu, and Baneasa 3/5. Mean chemical compositions for all varieties were as follows: moisture, 837.4 g kg-1; soluble solids, 155.5 g kg-1; titratable acidity, 15.1 g kg-1; soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio, 12.6; total sugar, 96.5 g kg-1; total sugar to acidity ratio, 7.59; reducing sugar, 51.9 g kg-1; sucrose, 42.4 g kg-1; ascorbic acid, 157.9 mg kg-1; protein, 7.5 g kg-1; ash, 5.5 g kg-1; sodium 161.53 mg kg-1; potassium, 2228.12 mg kg-1; calcium, 25.47 mg kg-1; iron, 4.70 mg kg-1; pH 3.46. Imperial Epineuse was the most suitable variety for drying. Grand Prize had the highest ascorbic acid content. Keywords: European plums; Prunus domestica; Chemical composition; Physical characteristics

The evaluation of eustachian tube function in patients with chronic otitis media.

Abstract: In this study we evaluated eustachian tube function in patients with chronic otitis media and compared the results with normal subjects. Two different eustachian tube function tests were applied to 60 ears of the chronic otitis media group and 146 ears of the control group. While eustachian tube dysfunction was observed in 71.7% of the chronic suppurative otitis media group, it was only seen in 34.9% of the control group.

Anatomical guidelines for intranasal surgery of the lacrimal drainage system.

Abstract: To facilitate identification of the nasolacrimal duct during intranasal surgery, we have determined the distances between the lacrimal drainage system and certain anatomical structures on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. A total of 15 adult cadaver skulls were bisected mid-sagittally and evaluated morphometrically. In our specimens, the average distance from the natural ostium of the maxillary sinus to the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) was only 5.5 mm. This rather small distance should be taken into consideration, in order to prevent trauma of the NLD during surgical enlargement of the ostium of the maxillary sinus. The distances from NLD to the anterior surface of the bulla ethmoidalis, the free edge of the uncinate process and the attachment point of the middle turbinate on the lateral nasal wall were found to be 10.2 mm, 8.8 mm and 5.4 mm, respectively. Taking these distances into account, easy identification of the NLD during endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy surgery will be possible.

The Effect of Cigarette Smoking during Pregnancy on Cord Blood Lipid, Lipoprotein and Apolipoprotein Levels

Abstract: We examined the relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels in newborns. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (a) were assesed in blood samples from 38 mothers who were smokers and their newborns obtained at delivery and compared to blood sample from 42 nonsmokers and their newborns. As compared with newborns of nonsmoker mothers, newborns of smoker mothers showed a lower mean level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (21 versus 26 mg/dl, p< 0.01), a higher total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.7 versus 3.7, p<0.01), a higher low density lipoprotein cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (3.2 versus 2.3, p< 0.05), a lower mean level of apolipoprotein A-1 (105 versus 129 mg/dl, p< 0.01) and a higher apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A-1 ratio (0.44 versus 0.3, p< 0.01). These paremeters were also different between smoker and nonsmoker mothers. There were no significant differences in TC, TG, LDL-C, Apo B and Lp (a) values between the two newborn groups. These data suggest that maternal smoking during pregnancy markedly affects lipid metabolism in the fetus.

Evaluation of non-invasive clinical samples in chronic chlamydial prostatitis by using in situ hybridization

Abstract: Seventy-eight non-invasive prostate specimens collected from patients with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis were evaluated by in situ hybridization (IH) for evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis. Intracellular Chlamydia bodies were detected in 18 of 78 cases (20.6%). Homogeneous blue-black bodies in the cellular cytoplasm were accepted as in situ positive. Chlamydial antigen detected by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) was positive in 12 cases (13.7%), but only nine of them were positive by IH. Our study confirms previous reports implicating C. trachomatis as an aetiological agent in chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, and underscores the applicability of DNA probes for detection and identification of C. trachomatis in prostatic materials.

The effects of sterile or infected bile and dropped gallstones in abdominal adhesions and abscess formation.

Abstract: Background: The effects of gallstones and sterile or infected bile on postoperative adhesions and abscess formation were investigated in Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: The first three groups were injected intraperitoneally with serum saline, sterile bile, or infected bile, respectively. Laparotomy was adjusted to the next seven groups. Serum saline, sterile bile, and infected bile were injected in the fourth through sixth groups intraperitoneally, respectively. Gallstones were placed intraabdominally to the seventh through ninth groups. The injections of sterile bile in group 7 and of infected bile in group 8 were added to laparotomies. Only laparotomy was carried out in group 10. Results: Abscess formations were seen only in infected-bile-injected groups. Significant adhesion formations were seen in infected-bile groups. Sterile bile and/or gallstones had no significant effect in abscess or adhesion formation. Conclusions: Results suggest that noninfected gallstones and sterile bile, even in combination, do not increase postoperative intraabdominal complications in rats.

Some analytical characters of cottonseed varieties grown in Turkey

Abstract: Sixteen cottonseed varieties grown in Turkey were analysed. The average oil content in varieties ranged from 309.7g Kg -1 to 379.5g Kg -1 whereas the range in values of gossypol content for glanded varieties was 7.4-12.8g Kg -1 . One glandless variety contained gossypol as 0.2g Kg -1 . The samples contained 337.2- 466.5g Kg -1 protein. Fatty acid composition of the oils obtained from cottonseed varieties were also determined. Generally total gossypol content of cottonseed varieties were below the limits established by the some nations for human food or animal feed.

Increased Lipoprotein (a) and Its Relationships with Other Parameters of Lipoprotein Metabolism in Chronic Renal Failure Treated by Hemodialysis

Abstract: Background. Studies have shown that patients with chronic renal failure have a high frequency of cardiocascular atheromatous disease. Methods. We examined serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) and B (apo B), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels as possible risk factors for atherosclerosis in 45 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) treated by hemodialysis (HD) and in 15 CRF patients who were not on HD. A control group of 20 healthy subjects was also studied. Results. The proportion of smokers and body mass indexes were similar between the groups. In both patient groups, higher TG, TC and Lp(a) and lower apo A1 and HDL-C levels in serum were found than in those of controls. Serum apo B and LDL-C were similar in the patients treated by HD and the controls. Serum VLDL-C and LDL-C were similar in the CRF patients who were not on HD and the controls. The highest ratios of apo B/apo A1 and LDL-C/HDL-C were found in HD patients. The highest ratio of TC/HDL-C was found in the other patient group. We found significant correlations between Lp(a) and other parameters of lipoprotein metabolism in CRF patients, both those who were and those who were not on HD. Conclusions. Our results indicate that CRF patients who both were and were not on HD show atherogenic changes in the lipoprotein pattern, and that the increase in Lp(a) during the CRF phase is basically related to the loss of renal function and may also depend on the resultant alterations which are produced in other lipoprotein variables.

Luminescence of levitated Zr-Ba-La-Al-Na fluoride glass

Abstract: Radioluminescence, cathodoluminescence, and thermoluminescence of Zr-Ba-La-Al-Na (ZBLAN) fluoride glass reveal different aspects of the intrinsic imperfections and impurities which control the emission. Except for weak low-temperature thermoluminescence signals which could be attributed to rare-earth impurities, the majority of the emission bands were common to all samples. These are considered to arise from intrinsic electron-hole recombination processes, either during relaxed exciton emission or at intrinsic defect sites in the glass network. Deconvolution of the spectra indicates that six emission bands occur in all the samples. Production of crystallite inclusions or intrinsic defects enhance the signal intensities. The luminescence is shown to be a useful probe of the quality of the ZBLAN glass, both in the preform stage, and after fiber drawing, even when working with the very high grade material produced by gas film levitation growth.

Incidence of Trichomonas vaginalis among women having vaginal discharge, in Manisa, Turkey.

Abstract: The incidence of Trichomonas vaginalis was investigated in 207 women 18-45 years of age who presented to Celal Bayar University Hospital in Manisa Turkey with vaginal discharge. In 27 women (13.1%) T. vaginalis was detected by both direct microscopy of saline wet mount preparations and the microscopic examination of Giemsa stained smears. After cultivation of the vaginal discharge samples in CPLM media T. vaginalis reproduction was seen in 21 samples (10.2%). All women with T. vaginalis as well as their spouses were treated with 2 g of Secnidazole and complete recovery was observed at follow-up 1 week after treatment ended.

The variational anatomy of the external aperture of the human vestibular aqueduct

Abstract: A study was undertaken to demonstrate the variational anatomy of the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct in 90 human temporal bones obtained from 58 cadavers. Topographic landmarks of the posterior surface of the petrous bone are useful for general orientation and include the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct, internal auditory meatus, sigmoid sinus, subarcuate fossa, superior petrosal sinus and cochlear canaliculus. We determined the mean distances from the external aperture of vestibular aqueduct to the above structures to be 10.98, 11.21, 9.42, 10.27 and 13.90 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the length of the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct revealed significant differences between the right and left sides. The distances between the EAVA and certain anatomical structures on the posterior surface of the temporal bone should be taken into consideration during surgery. Knowing the variability of the position of the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct may help surgeons avoid traumatizing, and thus producing inadvertent lesions to the hearing mechanism.

Effects of a lipoxygenase inhibitor on digoxin-induced cardiac arrhythmias in the isolated perfused guinea-pig heart.

Abstract: 1. The effects of a lipoxygenase inhibitor, BW A4C, on digoxin-induced arrhythmias and cardiac dynamics (contractile force, perfusion pressure, heart rate) were investigated in Langendorff-perfused isolated guinea-pig hearts. In the control group, arrhythmias were induced by 25 micrograms/ml digoxin at a perfusion rate of 0.5 ml/min. In the treated groups, BW A4C (1 and 0.3 microM) perfused continuously from 15 min prior to digoxin until cardiac arrest occurred. Digoxin exposure (microgram/g wet weight of heart) for the occurrence of arrhythmias and cardiac arrest were the parameters evaluated to assess cardiotoxicity. 2. Digoxin caused a marked increase in leukotriene B4 release in the coronary effluent, and was collected during tachyarrhythmias. BW A4C markedly inhibited the digoxin-induced elevation of LTB4. 3. BW A4C (1 and 0.3 microM) did not prevent the onset of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia despite a slight delay in the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest at the 0.3 microM concentration. 4. Contractile force increased significantly after digoxin infusion which was concomitant with the time of onset of arrhythmias. In the presence of BW A4C, the contractile force increased, but not significantly. Perfusion pressure increased initially after digoxin infusion in the absence and the presence of BW A4C, but not significantly. 5. These findings show that the lipoxygenase inhibitor lacked any protective action on digoxin-induced arrhythmias despite its effective suppression of digoxin-induced elevation of LTB4 in coronary effluent.

Family planning in Isparta, Turkey.

Abstract: Family planning practices were reported by 491 married women, aged 15-49, who applied to the Family Planning Centre in Isparta, Turkey. Eighty-four percent of the women used contraception, the IUD being used most frequently. Almost half of the women married before age 18 years.

Effects of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy at different stages of pregnancy in the rabbit.

Abstract: Although SWL is now the most common treatment modality for urinary tract stone disease, it is not regarded as a safe method for pregnant patients because of its potential harmful effects on fetus Using a rabbit model, we investigated whether SWL might cause fetal injury when administered at various developmental stages Two groups of pregnant rabbits were given 1000 shockwaves either early or late in the gestational period Time-matched controls did not receive shockwaves After spontaneous labor, all newborn rabbits were counted, weighted, and measured, and specimens were taken from organs and examined histopathologically The numbers, weights, and diameters of the newborns in each group were similar There was no notable histopathologic finding in the heart and brain specimens of any of the newborns, whereas noticeable congestion and multiple focal intraparanchymal microhemorrhages were found in lungs, livers, and kidneys of the animals that had been exposed to shockwaves early in gestation In conclusion, this study shows that SWL is not a safe treatment in early pregnancy

An artificial neural network case study: the control of work-in-process inventory in a manufacturing line

Abstract: In manufacturing systems, the cost of stock, which constitutes a significant portion of the total cost, is one of the important costs that has to be dealt with by the managers. The problem of inventory is encountered in cases where accumulation of physical materials is needed for the purpose of meeting the demand of raw materials, work in process and finished goods in a specific period. Work-in-process, between the stages of manufacturing process comes up because of the high rate of flow of raw materials or finished products and insufficient number of labor-machines at work stations. However, work-in-process can be reduced in a manner that does not hinder the process by determining the optimum number of labor-machine according to the process time. Thus, costs of work-in-process become minimum. In this study, work-in-process at a middle-scale shoe factory is investigated. At the manufacturing center, there are five work departments composed of cutting, sewing, hand-leather working, assembling and quality control-packing. In these departments there are work-in-process because of different processing times and insufficient number of labor-machines. An artificial neural network (ANN) with backpropagation is used for solving this work-in-process problem. In the study, optimum number of labor-machines at work stations were obtained for work-in-process without hindering the production by considering processing times and flow at these work stations.