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Wooden materials used in the building sector are exposed to different loading types and different strength depending on the place of use. The use of materials suitable for the type of loading affects important factors such as safety, performance and cost. Another important issue in wooden materials used in the building sector is wood-water relations. Moisture causes significant changes on the physical, mechanical and technological (hardness, wear) properties of wood. In this study, 5-layer LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) was produced from 2 mm beech (Fagus orientalis L.) veneer obtained by peeling process. Produced LVLs were subjected to four different moisture (0%, 12%, 18% and 25%) compressio strength in two different directions, perpendicular and parallel to the fibers. Using the data obtained from the specified moisture values, the pressure resistance values in other moisture amounts were estimated by artificial intelligence. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Decision Trees (DT) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms are used in the predictions. According to the mechanical test results, the highest compression strength value (51.96 N/mm²) was obtained in the loading parallel to the fibers of the samples with 0% moisture (oven dry). The lowest compression strength value (13.57 N/mm²) was determined in the loading vertical direction to the fibers of 25% moisture samples. The highest prediction success was obtained from the Random Forest algorithm with a value of R2 = 0.984. As a result, it has been determined that artificial intelligence techniques can be used successfully as a solution to predict the pressure resistance of LVLs at different humidity.

Abstract Background Combining MRI techniques with machine learning methodology is rapidly gaining attention as a promising method for staging of brain gliomas. This study assesses the diagnostic value of such a framework applied to dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)-MRI in classifying treatment-naïve gliomas from a multi-center patients into WHO grades II-IV and across their isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status. Methods Three hundred thirty-three patients from 6 tertiary centres, diagnosed histologically and molecularly with primary gliomas (IDH-mutant = 151 or IDH-wildtype = 182) were retrospectively identified. Raw DSC-MRI data was post-processed for normalised leakage-corrected relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps. Shape, intensity distribution (histogram) and rotational invariant Haralick texture features over the tumour mask were extracted. Differences in extracted features across glioma grades and mutation status were tested using the Wilcoxon two-sample test. A random-forest algorithm was employed (2-fold cross-validation, 250 repeats) to predict grades or mutation status using the extracted features. Results Shape, distribution and texture features showed significant differences across mutation status. WHO grade II-III differentiation was mostly driven by shape features while texture and intensity feature were more relevant for the III-IV separation. Increased number of features became significant when differentiating grades further apart from one another. Gliomas were correctly stratified by mutation status in 71% and by grade in 53% of the cases (87% of the gliomas grades predicted with distance less than 1). Conclusions Despite large heterogeneity in the multi-center dataset, machine learning assisted DSC-MRI radiomics hold potential to address the inherent variability and presents a promising approach for non-invasive glioma molecular subtyping and grading.

Objectives: This is a cross-sectional study to investigate the attachment styles and their impact on depression, anxiety, and quality of life in people with psoriasis. Methods: All participants completed socio-demographic and illness specific questionnaires along with Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Adult Attachment Style Scale (AASS). 100 individuals with psoriasis and 130 individuals with no dermatological problems participated in the study. Results: HADS scores for depression (38% versus 15.4%, P < .001) and anxiety (28% versus 6.9%, P < .001) were higher in participants with psoriasis compared to the healthy participants in the control group. AASS scores of participants for anxious/ambivalent attachment (13.7±4.0 versus 13.3±3.9, P = .465), secure attachment (15.8±4.4 versus 16.2±3.9, p = .510), and avoidant attachment (11.0±3.6 versus 11.3±3.6, P = .598) did not differ significantly in two groups. There was a significant correlation between DLQI scores and anxious/ambivalent attachment scores of participants with psoriasis (P < .05, r = .222). HADS scores of participants with psoriasis were also found significantly correlated with insecure attachment styles; anxious/ambivalent attachment (depression, P < .001/ anxiety, P < .001), avoidant attachment (depression, p < .001/ anxiety, p < .01). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there is a relationship between the insecure attachment styles and depression, anxiety and reduced quality of life in people with psoriasis and also support the idea that attachment insecurities can impair the physiological stress response by increasing the perceived stress in these patients.

Abstract Background T1‐weighted dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been broadly utilized in the evaluation of brain tumors. We aimed at assessing the diagnostic accuracy of DCE‐MRI in discriminating between low‐grade gliomas (LGGs) and high‐grade gliomas (HGGs), between tumor recurrence and treatment‐related changes, and between primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) and HGGs. Methods We performed this study based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies criteria. We systematically surveyed studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of DCE‐MRI for the aforementioned entities. Meta‐analysis was conducted with the use of a random effects model. Results Twenty‐seven studies were included after screening of 2945 possible entries. We categorized the eligible studies into three groups: those utilizing DCE‐MRI to differentiate between HGGs and LGGs (14 studies, 546 patients), between recurrence and treatment‐related changes (9 studies, 298 patients) and between PCNSLs and HGGs (5 studies, 224 patients). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve for differentiating HGGs from LGGs were 0.93, 0.90, and 0.96, for differentiating tumor relapse from treatment‐related changes were 0.88, 0.86, and 0.89, and for differentiating PCNSLs from HGGs were 0.78, 0.81, and 0.86, respectively. Conclusions Dynamic contrast‐enhanced‐Magnetic resonance imaging is a promising noninvasive imaging method that has moderate or high accuracy in stratifying gliomas. DCE‐MRI shows high diagnostic accuracy in discriminating between HGGs and their low‐grade counterparts, and moderate diagnostic accuracy in discriminating recurrent lesions and treatment‐related changes as well as PCNSLs and HGGs.

Aim:Cardiovascular involvement is common in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS). In this study, we investigated the effects of the markers involved in vascular endothelial injury pathogenesis [transforming growth factor β- (TGF-β)], interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, high sensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), N-terminal pro-Natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic findings of the patients.Materials and Methods:A total of 37 patients (5 MPS I, 4 MPS II, 2 MPS IIIa, 4 MPS IIIb, 14 MPS IVa, 8 MPS VI) and 32 controls with similar age and sex were included in the study.Results:Corneal clouding was seen in 29 (78%) patients. There were 23 (62%) patients with organomegaly, and 28 (75%) patients with hearing loss. When the groups were compared in terms of NT-proBNP, hs-CRP, TGF-β, IL-6, IL-10 and VEGF levels, there was a statistically significant increase in the patient group for NT-proBNP and VEGF (p=0.04, p=0.03, respectively). The carotid intima media thickness was statistically significantly higher in the patient group (p

Research and development work has become a critical issue in all industries, with the intensification of global competition. It is important for the furniture industry to understand the deformation behavior of joints for durable and quality production. Optical methods in mechanical science provide quick and accurate information about solid materials without contact. In this study, the mechanical properties and deformation behaviors on different furniture joint were analyzed under bending and tensile loads using digital image correlation method (DIC). The commonly used butterfly, nailed trapeze and minifixed joining methods have been chosen for analyses in the boxed construction furniture. Medium density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard (YL) and laminar coated particleboard (LY) were used to form the furniture joints. As a result of the study, it was determined that the joint and material types affected the amount of strain and displacement. According to the results of the experiment, the highest tensile and tensile strength of the material type is given by the Fibreboard. The butterfly joint in the joint type has the best result. It has been found that the DIC method can be used as a useful tool for the optimization of joints in the furniture design.

Aim:The purpose of our study is to submit the demographic, phenotypic and age at diagnosis characteristics of children with GM2 gangliosidosis.Materials and Methods: Patients with GM2 gangliosidosis who were referred to Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Nutrition and Metabolism between January 2004 and December 2016, were included in this study. Diagnosis was confirmed by determining the level of serum β-hexosaminidase activity and genetic mutation analysis. The demographic and clinical features are reported for 8 patients with Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) and 6 with Sandhoff disease.Results:The mean age at diagnosis was 18.2 months (range 4-48 months) and 14.5 months (range 8-36 months) for patients with TSD or Sandhoff disease respectively. The initial and main complaint in 100% of the patients were neurological disorders, such as developmental delay, developmental regression or both; seizures and macrocephaly. None of the patients exhibited evidence of organomegaly. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging results were normal in 36% of the cases, 55% of the cases had bilateral thalami involvement presenting as T2 hyperintensity especially at the posterior thalami and 9% of cases had myelination delay.Conclusion:GM2 gangliosidosis disease should be considered for children with developmental regression and/or delay. To prevent a delay in diagnosis, β-hexosaminidase activity in serum and genetic mutation analysis should be undertaken in suspected cases. Curative gene therapy may be available in the future.

Aim:Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by an insufficient activity of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) resulting in the accumulation of sphingomyelin. Type A is an infantile neurovisceral fatal form characterized by hepatosplenomegaly and rapidly progressive neurological deterioration, while the Type B non-neuronopathic disease presents visceral form and sufferers usually survive into adulthood.Materials and Methods:Here we present clinical and molecular findings for 19 patients with NPD A/B. Results:Nineteen patients with ASM deficiency were enrolled in our study. Nine of them were female and ten patients were male. The median age of the patients was 7.5 years (minimum-maximum: 1-57 years), the median age at diagnosis was 3 years (minimum-maximum: 6 months-56 years). The median length of the follow up period was 4.07±3.8 years (range: 1 month-14 years). Eighteen patients had hepatosplenomegaly, one patient had splenomegaly. Pulmonary involvement was detected in 10 patients. Six patients died during follow up.Conclusion:Patients with Niemann Pick A/B have a high mortality and morbidity rate. There is a need for a safe and effective therapy for patients with NPD A/B to reduce splenomegaly, to improve liver and respiratory function and to reduce the rate of mortality and morbidity.

Improvements in the syntheses of the carboxamide-substituted tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands TpCONHPh,Me [tris(3-anilinocarbonyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)borate] and TpCONH t-Bu,Me [tris(3- tert-butylaminocarbonyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)borate] are reported. Their TlI salts, namely [tris(3-anilinocarbonyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl-κ N2)borato]thallium(I), [Tl(C33H31BN9O3)], (II), and [tris(3- tert-butylaminocarbonyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl-κ N2)borato]thallium(I), [Tl(C27H43BN9O3)], (III), as well as the CuI carbonyl complexes (TpCONHPh,Me)Cu(CO), namely carbonyl[tris(3-anilinocarbonyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl-κ N2)borato]copper(I) tetrahydrofuran trisolvate, [Cu(C33H31BN9O3)(CO)]·3C4H8O, (IV), and (TpCONH t-Bu,Me)Cu(CO), namely carbonyl[tris(3- tert-butylaminocarbonyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl-κ N2)borato]copper(I) tetrahydrofuran hemisolvate, [Cu(C27H43BN9O3)(CO)]·0.5C4H8O, (V), have been prepared. Their spectroscopic properties and structures are compared with those of related compounds. The molecules of (II)-(V) show hydrogen bonding to either solvent molecules or neighboring complex molecules via amide groups. The title compounds feature the ability to engage other ligands in hydrogen bonding and they show strong electron-withdrawing character. Compound (V) displays voids of ca 800 Å3 in the crystal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study identified patients who would benefit from an earlier additional medical intervention and/or continuing close surveillance even if commonly used parameters indicated sufficient medical treatment to determine markers of treatment failure. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with a preliminary diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy treated with the single-dose methotrexate protocol. Group 1: cases cured with a single dose of methotrexate; Group 2: cases who required more than one dose of methotrexate or surgery following the first dose. Demographics, clinical/sonographic findings, observation period, and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels were compared among the two groups. Thresholds were defined and a regression analysis was performed to define independent predictors of failure. Results: Data from 120 patients were analyzed: Group 1 (n = 92); Group 2 (n = 28). β-hCG levels measured at all time points, and day (0–4) and day (4–7) changes, presence of adnexial masses, and infertility were significantly different among the two groups. Only the day (0–4) and day (4–7) changes in β-hCG levels were independent predictors of failure. Conclusion: Day (0–4) thresholds or newly defined day (4–7) thresholds were not more sensitive than the conventional day (4–7) criteria. Day (0–4) β-hCG levels increased by more than 9.7% in half the patients who required additional methotrexate doses or surgery despite fulfillment of the conventional day (4–7) criteria. In contrast, no cases of treatment failure were observed if the day (0–4) decrease was >26.6%.

Fabry disease is a rare, X-linked, lysosomal glycosphingolipid storage disorder. A deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase results in intracellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in multiple cell types, such as those of the nerves, kidneys, cardiac, and cutaneous tissues, leading to a multisystem disease. Male patients are more severely affected; however, heterozygous female patients may also be afflicted, though often the symptoms develop later. Cardiac involvement can include left ventricular hypertrophy, conduction abnormalities, arrhythmias, valvular abnormalities, and heart failure. A variant of the disease affects only cardiac tissue and mostly manifests as unexplained ventricular hypertrophy. Presently described are 2 cases of Fabry disease and the signs and symptoms of cardiac involvement, as well as the importance of early diagnosis to start enzyme replacement therapy before the development of irreversible tissue damage.

Abstract Background We aimed to test the hypothesis that the correlation of the changes in the blood Androstenedione (A4) levels to the number of selected follicles during ovulation induction with low-dose recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (rhFSH) is as strong as the correlation to changes in the blood Estradiol (E2) levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Prospective Case-control study conducted from October 2014 to January 2016. 61 non-PCOS control (Group I) and 46 PCOS (Group II) patients treated with the chronic low-dose step up protocosl with rhFSH. A4, E2, progesterone blood levels and follicular growth were monitored.. Univariate and hierarchical multivariable analysis were performed for age, BMI, HOMA-IR, A4 and E2 (with the number of selected follicles as the dependent variable in both groups). ROC analysis was performed to define threshold values for the significant determinants of the number of selected follicles to predict cyle cancellations due to excessive ovarian response. Results The control group (Group I) was comprised of 61 cycles from a group of primary infertile non-PCOS patients, and the study group (Group II) of 46 cycles of PCOS patients. The analysis revealed that the strongest independent predictor of the total number of selected follicles in Group I was the E2(AUC) (B = 0.0006[0.0003-0.001]; P