Search

Traffic signals at intersections have a significant effect on traffic emissions. They interrupt traffic flow and create additional acceleration and deceleration driving modes. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to perform the optimization process of vehicle delay and exhaust emissions at isolated signalized intersections. Three-leg intersection located in Kafr El-Sheikh City, Egypt was selected in this study. Field delay times were estimated based on vehicle speed and acceleration profiles using GPS device. On-road measurements of vehicle speeds and emissions were collected simultaneously for all movements of all approaches at the selected intersection. The micro-simulation software VISSIM was used to model and analyze the selected intersection. The model was calibrated and validated using the collected data. Signal timing model was developed for the selected intersection and used for optimization of delay time and vehicle emissions. It was found that the changing of signal timing was effective in improving the operational and environmental performance of the traffic signal under study. Also, the results indicated that when the traffic flow rate is higher, the optimal cycle time corresponding to the performance index function increases. Optimization of the delay times and exhaust emissions gives traffic engineers the option of minimizing vehicle emissions in the designing of the signalized intersections or timing a signal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Epidemiologic and clinical features of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may show substantial differences among countries. The primary goal in the management of T1DM is to prevent micro- and macrovascular complications by achieving good glycemic control. The present study aimed to assess metabolic control, presence of concomitant autoimmune diseases, and of acute and long-term complications in patients diagnosed with T1DM during childhood and adolescence. The study also aimed to be a first step in the development of a national registry system for T1DM, in Turkey., Methods: Based on hospital records, this cross-sectional, multicenter study included 1 032 patients with T1DM from 12 different centers in Turkey, in whom the diagnosis was established during childhood. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Metabolic control, diabetes care, complications, and concomitant autoimmune diseases were evaluated., Results: Mean age, diabetes duration, and hemoglobin A1c level were 12.5 ± 4.1 years, 4.7 ± 3.2 years, and 8.5 ± 1.6%, respectively. Acute complications noted in the past year included ketoacidosis in 5.2% of the patients and severe hypoglycemia in 4.9%. Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis was noted in 12%, Graves' disease in 0.1%, and celiac disease in 4.3% of the patients. Chronic complications including neuropathy, retinopathy, and persistent microalbuminuria were present in 2.6%, 1.4%, and 5.4% of the patients, respectively. Diabetic nephropathy was not present in any of the patients. Mean diabetes duration and age of patients with neuropathy, retinopathy and microalbuminuria were significantly different from the patients without these long-term complications (p<0.01). A significant difference was found between pubertal and prepubertal children in terms of persistent microalbuminuria and neuropathy (p=0.02 and p<0.001, respectively). Of the patients, 4.4% (n:38) were obese and 5% had short stature; 17.4% of the patients had dyslipidemia, and 14% of the dyslipidemic patients were obese., Conclusions: Although the majority of the patients in the present study were using insulin analogues, poor glycemic control was common, and chronic complications were encountered.

Unlabelled: Physical activity is a substantial method in the management of children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus but it is not considered as a treatment for diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates exercises on metabolic control and physical performance in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Thirty one sedentary patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, ranging in age from 12 to 17 (experimental group, n=17 and control group, n=14) were submitted to 12 weeks of Pilates training. Participants underwent tests to determine the physical performance and metabolic control before and after 12 weeks of Pilates session. At the end of study, there were significant alterations in physical performance of the study group. Peak power, mean power, vertical jump and flexibility of study group increased. There were no alterations for this parameters in the control group. There was no significant difference for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in both groups., Conclusions: Physical performance increased via Pilates exercises in the patients with type 1 DM. However there were no changes in metabolic control. In the present study, the positive effects of exercise on metabolic control could not be shown in patients with Type 1 DM., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Obesity is a multifactorial disorder influenced by genetic, behavioral, environmental and cultural factors. A twelve month old male patient was admitted to the hospital because of malaise, irritability, disquietness and obesity. His BMI was 19.8 kg/m (2) and BMI SDS was 1.38. Mental development was normal, and motor skills were mildly delayed most probably due to his obesity. His physical examination was totally normal except obesity and red hair. A history of hypoglycemia on the fourth day of life, which resolved after oral glucose administration, was reported. The child had been hyperphagic from the first weeks of life and had aggressive behavior when food was denied. The body weight of the patient increased dramatically during the first year of life. Based on the clinical features and laboratory findings (the overgrowth syndrome, red hair, hypoglycemia and hypocortisolism) the patient was diagnosed as POMC deficiency and the diagnosis was confirmed by genetic studies. Hypoglycemia and apnea episodes ceased as he was put on hydrocortisone but he developed relative mineralocorticoid deficiency during a urinary tract infection. In POMC deficiency, relative mineralocorticoid deficiency should be in mind in episodes of severe stress and therapy should be initiated., ((c) J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart. New York.)

Background: Insulin glargine provides effective glycemic control when administered at bedtime in adults., Objective: This study aims to investigate whether insulin glargine is equally effective if administered in the morning or at bedtime in combination with preprandial anologue insulin., Methods: Twenty-eight patients that have been treated with an intensified insulin regimen for at least one year were randomized to insulin glargine injection at breakfast (06:00-09:00) (12 patients) or bedtime (21:00-24:00) (16 patients), plus meal-time anologue insulin in the two groups. Glucose data from each day were analyzed at four different times: between 9:00 and 21:00 (t1), between 21:00 and 24:00 (t2), between 24:00 and 04:00 (t3),04:00 and 09:00 (t4) by the Minimed continuous glucose monitoring system., Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. The sensor values were lower before breakfast in the bedtime group (180.5 ± 49.0 vs 223.8 ± 47.3 mg/dl, p=0.03). There were 13.7 events.patient (-1).day(-1) in the bedtime group and 6.9 events.patient (-1).day(-1) in the breakfast group in which glucose levels fell below 60 mg/dl (p=0.3). There were 121.6 events.patient (-1).day(-1) in the bedtime group and 162.4 events.patient (-1).day(-1) in the breakfast group in which glucose levels exceeded 180 mg/dl (p=0.05). Nighttime hypoglycemia only reached to a statistical significance between the two groups between 24:00 and 04:00. There were no significant correlations between the duration of nocturnal hypoglycemia, age, duration of diabetes, gender and HbA1c levels., Conclusion: Breakfast group is hyperglycemic during the day and hyperglycemia starts in the morning at 04:00. There is no significant difference in the frequency or duration of hypo/hyper glycemia during the day and night irrespective of the timing of glargine injection except pre-breakfast levels are significantly better in the bedtime group and hypoglycemia occurs between midnight and 04:00 in the bedtime group.

Mongolian spots, which are benign congenital lesions observed in the first years of life, can cause distress for parents due to aberrant localization as well as unexpected number and size. Therefore, efficient differential diagnosis is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of mongolian spots in 1-12-month-old children in a west Anatolian city and to evaluate parental approach to these lesions. The study included 924 children who presented to Ege University Hospital Healthy Child Outpatient Department between January and August 2003. A questionnaire was applied to the families while all children were examined scrupulously for the presence of mongolian spots. The frequency of these lesions in the study population was determined to be 26%; this rate was 20% and 31% in boys and girls, respectively. No lesion was detected in blond-haired children; however, it was detected in 47% of brunettes. Most common localizations were lumbosacral, gluteal, and back, though knee, scalp and feet were also encountered. Upon questioning, most parents stated it was a birth mark; however, 10% accepted to consult a doctor about the issue. In conclusion, identifying mongolian spots and informing parents are essential to strengthen the family-doctor relationship.