Showing papers by "Celal Bayar University published in 2010"

Once-daily bronchodilators for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: indacaterol versus tiotropium.

Abstract: Rationale: Indacaterol is the first once-daily, long-acting inhaled β2-agonist bronchodilator studied in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Objectives: To demonstrate greater efficacy of indacaterol versus placebo on FEV1 at 24 hours post dose (trough) after 12 weeks, to compare efficacy with placebo and tiotropium, and to evaluate safety and tolerability over 26 weeks.Measurements: Patients with moderate-to-severe COPD were randomized to double-blind indacaterol 150 or 300 μg or placebo, or open-label tiotropium 18 μg, all once daily, for 26 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was trough FEV1 at 12 weeks. Additional analyses (not adjusted for multiplicity) included transition dyspnea index (TDI), health status (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ]), and exacerbations. Serum potassium, blood glucose, and QTc interval were measured.Results: A total of 1,683 patients (age, 63.3 yr; post-bronchodilator FEV1, 56% predicted; FEV1/FVC, 0.53) were randomized to the four treatment ...

The International Society for Bipolar Disorders-Battery for Assessment of Neurocognition (ISBD-BANC).

Abstract: Yatham LN, Torres IJ, Malhi GS, Frangou S, Glahn DC, Bearden CE, Burdick KE, Martinez-Aran A, Dittmann S, Goldberg JF, Ozerdem A, Aydemir O, Chengappa KNR. The International Society for Bipolar Disorders–Battery for Assessment of Neurocognition (ISBD-BANC). Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 351–363. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives: Although cognitive impairment is recognized as an important clinical feature of bipolar disorder, there is no standard cognitive battery that has been developed for use in bipolar disorder research. The aims of this paper were to identify the cognitive measures from the literature that show the greatest magnitude of impairment in bipolar disorder, to use this information to determine whether the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), developed for use in schizophrenia, might be suitable for bipolar disorder research, and to propose a preliminary battery of cognitive tests for use in bipolar disorder research. Methods: The project was conducted under the auspices of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders and involved a committee that comprised researchers with international expertise in the cognitive aspects of bipolar disorder. In order to identify cognitive tasks that show the largest magnitude of impairment in bipolar disorder, we reviewed the literature on studies assessing cognitive functioning (including social cognition) in bipolar disorder. We further provided a brief review of the cognitive overlap between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and evaluated the degree to which tasks included in the MCCB (or other identified tasks) might be suitable for use in bipolar disorder. Results: Based on evidence that cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder are similar in pattern but less severe than in schizophrenia, it was judged that most subtests comprising the MCCB appear appropriate for use in bipolar disorder. In addition to MCCB tests, other specific measures of more complex verbal learning (e.g., the California Verbal Learning Test) or executive function (Stroop Test, Trail Making Test–part B, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) also show substantial impairment in bipolar disorder. Conclusions: Our analysis reveals that the MCCB represents a good starting point for assessing cognitive deficits in research studies of bipolar disorder, but that other tasks including more complex verbal learning measures and tests of executive function should also be considered in assessing cognitive compromise in bipolar disorder. Several promising cognitive tasks that require further study in bipolar disorder are also presented.

Depression and anxiety levels in woman under follow-up for breast cancer: relationship to coping with cancer and quality of life

Abstract: Aim The relation of anxiety and depression levels with characteristics of coping with the disease and quality of life were evaluated in women under follow-up for breast cancer. Materials and Methods Patients who had presented to the breast cancer polyclinics for follow-up were evaluated. The Beck Depression and the State-Trait Anxiety inventories were used in the evaluation of depression and anxiety levels. In order to evaluate their power to cope with cancer, the patients were questioned for a social support network. EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires were applied for quality of life evaluations. Results There were 23 (19%) patients with depression; 3 (2.5%) with grade I anxiety, 94 (77%) grade II, and 23 (19%) grade III anxiety, respectively. Depression and anxiety levels were affected by the following parameters: being unaccompanied by spouse for hospital follow-ups (P < 0.0001); request to get help by a psychologist (P = 0.02); presence of a person to share their problems (P < 0.0001); and using an alternative treatment (P = 0.04). In the quality of life evaluations, difficulty in sleeping, emotional status, fatigue, and body appearance were related with both depression and anxiety (P < 0.05 for all), whereas physical function (P = 0.002), role performance (P = 0.005), cognitive condition (P < 0.0001), social position (P < 0.0001), pain (P < 0.0001), general health (P < 0.0001), treatment methods (P = 0.001), future anxiety (P < 0.0001), and arm symptoms (P = 0.001) were negatively affected in patients with depression. Conclusion High depression and anxiety levels in patients under follow-up for breast cancer influence the coping with cancer and quality of life adversely.

Etiology and outcome of acute kidney injury in children

Abstract: The aim of this prospective, multicenter study was to define the etiology and clinical features of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a pediatric patient cohort and to determine prognostic factors. Pediatric-modified RIFLE (pRIFLE) criteria were used to classify AKI. The patient cohort comprised 472 pediatric patients (264 males, 208 females), of whom 32.6% were newborns (median age 3 days, range 1–24 days), and 67.4% were children aged >1 month (median 2.99 years, range 1 month–18 years). The most common medical conditions were prematurity (42.2%) and congenital heart disease (CHD, 11.7%) in newborns, and malignancy (12.9%) and CHD (12.3%) in children aged >1 month. Hypoxic/ischemic injury and sepsis were the leading causes of AKI in both age groups. Dialysis was performed in 30.3% of newborns and 33.6% of children aged >1 month. Mortality was higher in the newborns (42.6 vs. 27.9%; p 1 month.

New perturbation-iteration solutions for Bratu-type equations

Abstract: Perturbation-iteration theory is systematically generated for both linear and nonlinear second-order differential equations and applied to Bratu-type equations. Different perturbation-iteration algorithms depending upon the number of Taylor expansion terms are proposed. Using the iteration formulas derived using different perturbation-iteration algorithms, new solutions of Bratu-type equations are obtained. Solutions constructed using different perturbation-iteration algorithms are contrasted with each other as well as with numerical solutions. It is found that algorithms with more Taylor series expansion terms yield more accurate results.

Development and implementation of guidelines in allergic rhinitis – an ARIA-GA2LEN paper.

Abstract: The links between asthma and rhinitis are well characterized. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines stress the importance of these links and provide guidance for their prevention and treatment. Despite effective treatments being available, too few patients receive appropriate medical care for both diseases. Most patients with rhinitis and asthma consult primary care physicians and therefore these physicians are encouraged to understand and use ARIA guidelines. Patients should also be informed about these guidelines to raise their awareness of optimal care and increase control of the two related diseases. To apply these guidelines, clinicians and patients need to understand how and why the recommendations were made. The goal of the ARIA guidelines is to provide recommendations about the best management options for most patients in most situations. These recommendations should be based on the best available evidence. Making recommendations requires the assessment of the quality of available evidence, deciding on the balance between benefits and downsides, consideration of patients’ values and preferences, and, if applicable, resource implications. Guidelines must be updated as new management options become available or important new evidence emerges. Transparent reporting of guidelines facilitates understanding and acceptance, but implementation strategies need to be improved.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of mycelia of 10 wild mushroom species.

Abstract: Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of mycelia obtained from 10 wild edible mushrooms—Armillaria mellea, Meripilus giganteus, Morchella costata, Morchella elata, Morchella esculenta var. vulgaris, Morchella hortensis, Morchella rotunda, Paxillus involutus, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus ostreatus—were investigated. For determination of antimicrobial activities of these mushrooms, ethanol extracts were examined with 11 test microorganisms by the agar well diffusion method. P. ostreatus and M. giganteus were the most active species against both bacteria and yeast. Antioxidant properties of ethanol extracts were studied by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging method. Among the mushroom extracts, M. elata showed the most potent radical scavenging activity. This research has shown that these 10 wild macrofungi have potential as natural antioxidants and antibiotics.

Vitamin D status among adults in the Aegean region of Turkey

Abstract: Background Vitamin D is a lipid-soluble hormone found in certain foods and synthesized from precursors in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light. Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone metabolism and many cellular and immunological processes and low levels have been associated with several chronic and infectious diseases. Vitamin D status is assessed by measuring the concentration of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Vitamin D deficiency is reported to be common worldwide, but little has been reported about the vitamin D status of adults in Turkey. In this cross-sectional study, we determined the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in adults residing in a city in the Aegean region of Turkey.

Vitamin D status among adults in the Aegean region of Turkey

Abstract: Background Vitamin D is a lipid-soluble hormone found in certain foods and synthesized from precursors in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light. Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone metabolism and many cellular and immunological processes and low levels have been associated with several chronic and infectious diseases. Vitamin D status is assessed by measuring the concentration of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Vitamin D deficiency is reported to be common worldwide, but little has been reported about the vitamin D status of adults in Turkey. In this cross-sectional study, we determined the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in adults residing in a city in the Aegean region of Turkey.

Multi-criteria decision making for water resource management: a case study of the Gediz River Basin, Turkey

Abstract: In this study, a water resource management model that facilitates indicator-based decisions, with respect to environmental, social and economic dimensions in a multiple criteria perspective, is developed for the Gediz River Basin in Turkey. The basic input of the proposed model is the quantity of surface water that is mainly allocated to irrigation purposes. The model has been applied under 3 different hydro-meteorological scenarios that reflect baseline as well as better and worse conditions of water supply and demand, not only to reach a comprehensive assessment of the water budget in the Gediz Basin, but also to evaluate the impacts of proposed management alternatives under different conditions. The Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) software is used as a simulation and evaluation tool to assess the performance of possible management alternatives; performance is measured by 9 indicators representing economic, social and environmental sustainability. The study has delineated the best management alternative on the basis of 3 different multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods, including simple additive weighting (SAW), compromise programming (CP) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Each method is also applied with 7 different sets of criteria weights that represent objective judgements as well as subjective preferences of decision makers. The results of the study indicate that the decision on the best alternative is basically independent of the MCDM method used, but slightly sensitive to the weights assigned to the criteria as well as the data used in the analyses. Keywords: MCDM, water resource management, WEAP, Gediz River Basin

An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system approach for prediction of tip speed ratio in wind turbines

Abstract: This paper introduces an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model to predict the tip speed ratio (TSR) and the power factor of a wind turbine. This model is based on the parameters for LS-1 and NACA4415 profile types with 3 and 4 blades. In model development, profile type, blade number, Schmitz coefficient, end loss, profile type loss, and blade number loss were taken as input variables, while the TSR and power factor were taken as output variables. After a successful learning and training process, the proposed model produced reasonable mean errors. The results indicate that the errors of ANFIS models in predicting TSR and power factor are less than those of the ANN method.

Heavy metal levels in leafy vegetables and some selected fruits

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cd in various fruits (tomato, cherry, grape, strawberry) and vegetables (parsley, onion, lettuce, garlic, nettle, peppermint, rocket, spinach, dill, broad bean, chard, purslane, grapevine leaves) grown in Manisa region. Flame and Graphite Furnace Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to estimate and evaluate the levels of these metals. Detected levels ranged from 0.56 to 329.7, 0.01 to 5.67, 0.26 to 30.68, 0.001 to 0.97 and 0 to 0.06 μg/g for Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, respectively. While the highest mean levels of Cu and Zn were detected in grapevine leaves, the lowest mean levels of Fe and Pb were detected in nettle. Cd was not detected in most of the fruits and vegetables studied. The estimated daily intakes of Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cd through fruits and vegetables were found to be below the maximum tolerable levels recommended by FAO/WHO. The element concentrations of fruits and vegetables analyzed in this study were within safety baseline levels for human consumption.

Carbapenem Versus Fosfomycin Tromethanol in the Treatment of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia Coli-Related Complicated Lower Urinary Tract Infection

Abstract: The aim of this observational prospective study was to compare the effect of fosfomycin tromethanol (FT) and carbapenems (meropenem or imipenem cilastatin) in the treatment of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli-related complicated lower urinary tract infection (CLUTI). Inclusion criteria were: patients who were aged >18 yr with dysuria or problems with frequency or urgency in passing urine; those with >20 leukocytes/mm³ in urine microscopy and culture-proven ESBL-producing carbapenem or FT-sensitive E. coli in the urine (>10⁵ cfu/mm³); no leukocytosis or fever; and who were treated with ft (oral 3 g sachet x 1 every other night, three times) or carbapenems between march 2005 and January 2006 in our outpatient clinic and hospital. A total of 47 CLUTI attacks in 47 patients (27 FT group, 20 carbapenem group) were observed prospectively. Clinical and microbiological success in the carbapenem and ft groups was similar (19/20 vs 21/27 and 16/20 vs 16/27 p>0.05). Drug acquisition costs were significantly lower in the FT group (p<0.001). Although it is not a randomized controlled study, these data show that ft may be a suitable, effective and cheap alternative in the treatment of ESBL-producing E. coli-related CLUTI.

Correlation of serum BDNF levels with hippocampal volumes in first episode, medication-free depressed patients

Abstract: The hippocampus seems to be affected in MDD, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has positive effects on neurogenesis within the hippocampus. Although there are inconsistencies among study results, a smaller hippocampal volume in depressed patients is thought to be related to the pathophysiology of the disease. We looked at the correlation between serum BDNF (sBDNF) levels and hippocampal volumes (HCV) of first-episode MDD patients (18 female, 7 male; mean age = 32.1 ± 9.3) and healthy controls (17 female, 5 male; mean age = 29.7 ± 6.4). Region of interest analysis was conducted on the images acquired via MRI. sBDNF levels and HCV correlated only in the MDD group (right: r = 0.46, P = 0.02; left: r = 0.47, P = 0.02); however, HCV did not differ between MDD patients and healthy controls (right: F = 2.45, df = 1.46, P > 0.05; left: F = 0.05, df = 1.46, P > 0.05). BDNF may be a factor underlying HCV differences between MDD and healthy control subjects, which become apparent as severe and multiple episodes are experienced.

Thermoactive cellulase-free xylanase production from alkaliphilic Bacillus strains using various agro-residues and their potential in biobleaching of kraft pulp

Abstract: The four bacterial strains were isolated on media containing xylan and screened for xylanase activity. The bacterial strains (Ag12, Ag13, Ag20 and Ag32) were characterized based on morphological, biochemical and physiological characters and identified as belonging to the genus Bacillus. The effects of different factors such as pH (7.0 – 10.0), temperature (25.0 – 50.0°C) and inexpensive agro-residues (wheat straw, wheat bran and corncob) on xylanase production of strains were studied under shake flask conditions. Maximal enzyme activities were obtained by cultivation in birch-wood xylan, but high enzyme production was also obtained on wheat straw and corncob when cultivated at pH 8.5. Under optimized fermentation conditions, no cellulolytic activity were detected on the crude extracts. The effects of temperature (40.0 – 80.0°C), pH (6.0 – 10.0) and salt concentration (1.0, 5.0 and 10.0%) on the xylanases activity were determined. The maximum activity was obtained temperature 60.0°C and pH at 9.0. The enzyme was stable at 60.0°C for more than 60 min, suggesting that the xylanases of Bacillus strains are thermoactive and being of interests for biobleaching processes. The effectiveness of crude xylanases from the strains Ag12, Ag20 and Ag32 on kraft pulp were carried out at pH 9.0 at 60.0°C. Biobleaching studies of kraft pulp with xylanases and its subsequent treatment with 1.0% EDTA (30 min at 50.0°C) and peroxide (80 min at 70.0°C), showed that the enzymes reduced the kappa number by 27.4, 61.7 and 75.3% and enhanced the brightness by 1.0, 1.5 and 3.0% from xylanases produced by strains Ag12, Ag20 and Ag32, respectively. These results suggest that the application of this xylanases to the paper and pulp industry may be very promising.

Assessment of in vitro antitumoral and antimicrobial activities of marine algae harvested from the eastern Mediterranean sea

Abstract: Antitumoral activities of five algal extracts obtained from the marine algae Scytosiphon lomentaria, Padina pavonica, Cystoseira mediterranea (Phaeophyceae), Hypnea musciformis and Spyridia filamentosa (Rhodophyta) were assessed against the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF‐7 and the human prostate carcinoma epithelium like cell lines DU 145, LNCaP, PC3 using the cytotoxic assay, in vitro. The crude extract of S. filamentosa showed strong cytotoxic activity against the DU-145 cell line, and it showed less than 10% cell viability after treatment. Antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts of algae (with the exception of H. musciformis) were also tested by disc diffusion assay against three Gram positive and five Gram negative bacterial strains and against the yeast pathogen Candida albicans. Among the extraxts, S. lomentaria extract (prepared with methanol) inhibited highly Gram negative bacterium Salmonella typhimurium growth while C. albicans growth was only inhibited by C. mediterrranea extract.

Exergoeconomic analysis of an underground air tunnel system for greenhouse cooling system

Abstract: This paper investigates some exergoeconomic parameters for an underground air tunnel system based upon some operating conditions. The ratio of exergy loss rate to capital cost ( R ex ) changes between 0.052 and 0.552. The total exergy losses values are obtained to be from 0.26 kW to 2.50 kW for the system. The daily average maximum cooling coefficient of performances (COP) values for the system are also obtained to be 11.96 for experimental period, while the total average COP is found to be 5.89. The overall exergy efficiency value for the system on a product/fuel basis is found to be 56.9%.

Efficacy of leukotriene antagonists as concomitant therapy in allergic rhinitis

Abstract: Objectives/Hypothesis: The symptoms of allergic rhinitis result from an immunoglobulin E-dependent mast cell activation cascade, marked by the release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine Patients with perennial allergic rhinitis also have elevated levels of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) in nasal lavage fluid Histamine and CysLTs produce different responses in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, and this study tested the hypothesis that the effects of combined antihistamine and leukotriene antagonist therapy would be more effective than antihistamine alone Study Design: Multicentered, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group Methods: Three groups totaling 275 patients using: 1) fexofenadine alone, 2) fexofenadine with montelukast, or 3) fexofenadine with placebo, participated in a 21-day trial conducted during the spring pollen season Objective analysis included pre- and poststudy physical examination findings and nasal resistance measurements Subjective data gathered included a daily patient diary and pre- and poststudy patient satisfaction measurements Results: The group using both fexofenadine and montelukast showed significantly better control of nasal congestion both subjectively, using patient diary and visual analog scale evaluations, and objectively, using rhinomanometry and physical examination, compared to groups using antihistamine alone or with placebo Conclusions: Our data provided both objective and subjective evidence that leukotriene receptor antagonist-antihistamine combination therapy is more effective than antihistamine alone in the control of allergic rhinitis symptoms Laryngoscope, 2010

High hydrostatic pressure effects on mold flora, citrinin mycotoxin, hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein phenolics and antioxidant activity of black table olives

Abstract: High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) as a non-thermal technology is an effective tool for microbiologically safe and shelf-stable fruits. Mycotoxin citrinin (CIT) is a toxic secondary metabolite, especially produced from filamentous fungus Penicillium citrinum and is also produced by other species of Penicillium , Aspergillus , and Monascus that are able to develop on olive after harvest, during brine and storage of olives. Nutritional benefits of olive fruit are mainly related to phenolics such as hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein and antioxidative effects. With HHP application of olives, total mold was reduced to 90% at 25 °C whereas it was 100% at 4 °C based on Rose-Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar (RBCA). Total Aerobic-Mesofilic Bacteria load was reduced to 35–76% at 35 ± 2 °C based on the Plate Count Agar (PCA). Citrinin load was reduced to 64–100% at 35 ± 2 °C. 2.5; 10; 25; and 100 ppb of spiked citrinin in sample were degraded as %56; %37; %9; and %1.3, respectively. 2.5 ppb and less citrinin contamination in table olive were degraded more (56%). Total phenolics were increased to 2.1–2.5-fold after HHP (as mgGA/100 g). Hydroxytyrosol in olives increased on average 0.8–2.0-fold whereas oleuropein decreased on average 1–1.2-fold after HHP (as mg/kg dwt). Antioxidant activity values varied from 17.238 to 29.344 mmol Fe 2+ /100 g for control samples whereas 18.579–32.998 mmol Fe 2+ /100 g for HHP-treated samples. HHP could be used in the olive industry as non-thermal preservation.