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Imaging modalities play a crucial role in the management of suspected COVID-19 patients. Before reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results are positive, 60-93% of patients have positive chest computed tomographic (CT) findings consistent with COVID-19. We report a case of positive lung ultrasound findings consistent with COVID-19 in a woman with an initially negative RT-PCR result. The lung ultrasound-imaging findings were present between the negative and subsequent positive RT-PCR tests and correlated with CT findings. The point-of-care lung-ultrasound examination was easy to perform and, as such, could play an important role in the triage of women with suspected COVID-19. The neonatal swabs, cord blood and placental swab RT-PCR tests were negative for SARS-CoV-2, a finding consistent with the published literature suggesting no vertical transmission of this virus in pregnant women. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of this study are to evaluate the tropical fruit (banana, kiwi, pineapple) preferences of consumers in Turkey and their willingness to pay and to assess the factors that affect this willingness to pay. In this context, tropical fruit products were presented in packages of 50 grams to 386 individuals who had never tasted these products before, and after the products had been tasted, surveys were administered. The findings revealed that dried banana has sensory issues related to hardness and taste and that dried kiwi has sensory issues related to taste and odour. The results show that improving the taste characteristics and increasing the emphasis on health while promoting the products could have a positive impact on increasing the demand for these products in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2005 to 2008, high volatility in the markets affected grain prices significantly. This high volatility in grain prices made many researchers curious, and many discussions aroused from this topic. This study analyzes wheat price behavior during this period of high volatility. We estimate a return index for wheat using spot and futures wheat prices with the help of a present value model. To analyze the cointegration between the wheat prices and return index, a new cointegration test with multiple structural breaks, developed by Daiki Maki (2012), is used. The long-run cointegration coefficients are estimated using the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares methodology. The empirical results show that there is cointegration between the spot and futures wheat prices, which tends to change at breakpoints. In other words, there is an equilibrium relation between spot prices and futures prices; however, it becomes unstable during the crisis in 2008. The results may help in understanding the dynamics of wheat prices, especially during high-volatility periods.

The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-economic and intellectual factors affecting the imported meat preferences of consumers and to reveal the personal prioritized preferences of buyers consuming domestic meat and imported meat. The study was carried out in Izmir, the third city of Turkey, where face-to-face interviews were conducted in 300householdswhose occupants shop at hypermarkets where domestic and imported meat is sold. 28.7% of those participating in the study prefer imported meat. As a result of logistic regression, the approach related to the share of cattle meat in the total meat spend, the age factor and the belief that the price of imported cattle meat is low positively affect the probability of consuming imported meat. The consumption of chicken and lamb and marital status has negative effects. The religious belief factor and the perception of taste in those consuming imported meat take priority in the personal preferences of domestic meat consumers. Long-term policies that will ensure stability in the market as a whole are needed in the livestock sector in Turkey. Improvement of meat quality, classification and the rising awareness of consumers regarding quality and farming according to nutritional requirements and the development of certification also have significant importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are few data with respect to prothrombotic risk factors in neonates. Aim: To determine the associated risk factors, clinical features and outcome in newborn infants diagnosed with thrombo-embolism. Methods: Case records of 25 infants (17 full-term and eight preterm) diagnosed with thrombo-embolism between January 2005 and April 2008 in a neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed. Results: Of the 25 infants, 18 cases of venous (72%) and seven of arterial (28%) thrombo-embolism were recorded; in 18 it was associated with central catherisation. The sites of thrombosis were portal vein (15), right renal vein (one), right femoral vein (one), multiple veins (one), right femoral artery (3), right iliac artery (2), bilateral iliac and renal arteries (one) and left renal artery (one). Hereditary thrombotic mutations were detected in three patients and anticardiolipin antibody was detected in one, none of whom had been catheterised. The remaining three non-catheterised patients had perinatal risk factors. Venous catheter placement was undertaken in 12 patients (48%), eleven of whom had: umbilical venous catheterisation for exchange transfusion (9), partial exchange transfusion (one) and venous access (one), and one had femoral venous catheterisation for an angiographic study. Arterial catheterisation was undertaken in seven patients (28%) (one infant had both umbilical venous and arterial catheters) for angiographic studies (5) and blood sampling (2). Of the 18 catheterised patients (72%), thrombophilic studies were undertaken in 13 and none had abnormal results. Additional perinatal risk factors were present in 18 patients (72%) and included prematurity (8), congenital heart disease (8), septicaemia (5), dehydration (3), respiratory distress syndrome (3), polycythemia (2), meconium aspiration syndrome (one), pneumonia (one), maternal diabetes (one), necrotising enterocolitis (one) and perinatal asphyxia (one). Although most of the patients recovered after anticoagulant or fibrinolytic therapy, the five (20%) deaths were associated mainly with underlying diseases. Conclusion: The most important risk factor for thrombo-embolic events in neonates is placement of central catheters and some perinatal prothrombotic conditions. Nevertheless, hereditary or acquired thrombophilic risk factors may also be a cause of thrombo-embolism [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This article sets out to be a review regarding agents that affect contraction and relaxation of the ureter in order to establish a basis for current and future treatments for upper urinary tract obstruction. Material and Methods: A complete review of the English literature using MEDLINE was performed between 1960 and 2007 on ureter physiology and pharmacology with special emphasis on signal transduction mechanisms involved in the contractile regulation of the human ureter. Results: Activation of muscarinic and adrenergic receptors increases the amplitude of ureteral contractions. The sympathetic nerves modulate the contractions by α-adrenoceptors and relaxation by β-adrenoceptors. The purinergic system is important in sensory/motor functions and ATP is an important non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) agent causing contraction. Nitric oxide (NO) is a major inhibitory NANC neurotransmitter causing relaxation. Serotonin causes contraction. Prostaglandin-F2α contracts whereas prostaglandin-E1/E2 relaxes the ureter. Phosphodiesterases (PDE) and the Rho-kinase pathway have recently been identified in the human ureter. PDE-IV inhibitors, K+ channel openers, calcium antagonists, α1-adrenoceptor antagonists and NO donors seem to be promising drugs in relieving obstruction and facilitating stone passage. Conclusions: Further understanding of the ureteral function and pharmacology may lead to the discovery of promising new drugs that could be useful in relieving ureteral colic, facilitating spontaneous stone passage, preparing the ureter for ureteroscopy as well as acting adjunctive to extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]