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Introduction: This study investigates the relationship between serum TWEAK levels and the degree of vascular involvement in patients with stable angina pectoris, offering insights beyond conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and Methods: This study involved 88 patients (33 women, 55 men) diagnosed with stable angina pectoris. Patients were classified based on angiographic findings. Comprehensive demographic and medical history data were collected, and morning blood samples were analyzed, focusing on TWEAK and IL-6 levels. To assess the severity of coronary artery lesions, a modified version of the Gensini scoring system was employed. Results: Analyses revealed no significant correlation between TWEAK levels and the severity of coronary artery disease. Although some variations in biochemical markers were observed based on gender and diabetic status, these differences did not exhibit a statistically significant relationship with the degree of vascular involvement. Conclusion: The findings indicate that serum TWEAK levels do not have a significant association with the severity of vascular involvement in patients with stable angina pectoris. These results highlight the limited efficacy of TWEAK as a sole biomarker in assessing the severity of coronary artery disease, emphasizing the complexity of its role.

Supply chain management that considers the flow of raw materials, products and information has become a focal issue in modern manufacturing and service systems. Supply chain management requires effective use of assets and information that has far reaching implications beyond satisfaction of customer demand, flow of goods, services or capital. Aggregate planning, a fundamental decision model in supply chain management, refers to the determination of production, inventory, capacity and labor usage levels in the medium term. Traditionally standard mathematical programming formulation is used to devise the aggregate plan so as to minimize the total cost of operations. However, this formulation is purely an economic model that does not include sustainability considerations. In this study, we revise the standard aggregate planning formulation to account for additional environmental and social criteria to incorporate triple bottom line consideration of sustainability. We show how these additional criteria can be appended to traditional cost accounting in order to address sustainability in aggregate planning. We analyze the revised models and interpret the results on a case study from real life that would be insightful for decision makers.

Abstract A vertically aligned Pd nanowire array was successfully fabricated on an Au/Ti substrate using an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template by a direct voltage electrodeposition method at room temperature using diluted neutral electrolyte. The fabrication of Pd nanowires was controlled by analyzing the current–time transient during electrodeposition using potentiostat. The AAO template and the Pd nanowires were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) methods and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). It was observed that the Pd nanowire array was standing freely on an Au-coated Ti substrate after removing the AAO template in a relatively large area of about 5 cm2, approximately 50 nm in diameter and 2.5 μm in length with a high aspect ratio. The nucleation rate and the number of atoms in the critical nucleus were determined from the analysis of current transients. Pd nuclei density was calculated as 3.55 × 108 cm−2. Usage of diluted neutral electrolyte enables slower growing of Pd nanowires owing to increase in the electrodeposition potential and thus obtained Pd nanowires have higher crystallinity with lower dislocations. In fact, this high crystallinity of Pd nanowires provides them positive effect for sensor performances especially.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether epidural administration of a xylazine-lidocaine combination accompanied by xylazine sedation would provide satisfactory analgesia for some surgical procedures on 10 calves admitted to the Department of Veterinary Surgery, University of Kafkas with perineal urolithiasis (n:2), rectovaginal fistula (n:1), atresia ani (n:2), omphalophlebitis (n:2), omphaloarteritis (n:1) and umbilical hernia (n:2). Following intramuscular injection of xylazine at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg for sedation, xylazine-lidocaine combination (0.2 mg/kg lidocaine + 0.02 mg/kg xylazine + 5 ml 0.9% NaCl) was administrated into the lumbosacral (L6-S1), sacrococcygeal (S5-Co1) or intercoccygeal (Co1-Co2) space. Heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were recorded prior to and during analgesia at 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 minutes. Furthermore, depth and duration of analgesia were evaluated during surgical intervention. The study revealed that the combination of epidural xylazine-lidocaine with xylazine sedation was highly satisfactory for surgery of the lower urinary tract and the perineal region, but it was less so for surgery of the umbilical area.

Purpose: To create a reproducible and standardized urethral stricture model in rats, evaluating both histomorphologic findings and gene expression data. In studies involving experimental animals, more standardization is needed for the creation of a urethral stricture model., Methods: Sixteen male rats were randomized into two groups. The Sham group (n:8) underwent only a penoscrotal incision, while the stricture group (n:8) had their urethras exposed through a penoscrotal incision, followed by electrocauterization to the corpus spongiosum. On the 15th day, blood and urethral tissues were harvested for histologic and molecular analyses. Histomorphologic, immunohistochemical, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed., Results: The stricture group exhibited more severe and intense spongiofibrosis, inflammation, epithelial desquamation, and congestion in vascular structures compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The urethral tissue in the stricture group showed an increased ratio of inflammation parameters, including Collagen 1A1, Collagen 3A1, elastin, Transforming growth factor β1, α Smooth muscle actin, Platelet-derived growth factor α, and Platelet-derived growth factor β. Transforming growth factor β1, Platelet-derived growth factor α, and Platelet-derived growth factor β each correlated highly with the other six parameters (r > 0.60, p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Developing electrocoagulation-induced urethral stricture in rats is a simple, reliable, inexpensive, and reproducible. Reporting histologic data with qualitative and semi-quantitative scoring will enhance data standardization, aiding reader understanding and analysis. Transforming growth factor β and Platelet-derived growth factor play key roles in fibrosis during stricture development. Incorporating these cytokines in urethral stricture animal model studies can demonstrate successful stenosis creation., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Objective: To assess feasibility and efficacy of local topical urethral anesthesia at optical internal urethrotomy (OIU) in patients with anterior and posterior urethral strictures at outpatient clinic., Methods: One hundred and twenty eight patients were prospectively randomized to perform OIU with intraurethral prilocaine solution (group 1 = 64 patients) or intraurethral lidocaine gel (group 2 = 64 patients). Visual analog scale was used for procedure related pain evaluation at the beginning, during, and one hour after the procedure. All patients had follow-ups for a minimum of 12 months. Treatment failure was defined as Qmax < 12ml/sec at uroflowmetry and observed urethral stricture on cystoscopy., Results: The overall success rate of the OIU was 75.8%. The intraoperative mean visual analogue score in group 2 (5,1 ± 1,77) was significantly higher than the group 1 (3.7 ± 1.9) (P = 0.0001). The median time to stricture recurrence was 9.2 months (range 1-13 months). Stricture recurrences were noted in 15 patients in Group 1 and 16 patients in Group 2 during the follow-up period., Conclusion: Prilocaine solution as a local anesthetic is a better option than intraurethral lidocaine gel in the OIU procedure and allows successful OIU to be performed in outpatient clinic. It can be preferred as a local anesthetic for OIU, particularly in unfit patients for general/regional anesthesia. Although it provides successful pain relief, it still cannot prevent experiencing moderate or severe pain in a group of patients. More studies about more effective local anesthetics for pain relief during OIU at the outpatient clinic are required., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Background: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is the most frequent cause of acute renal failure in clinical conditions such as trauma and shock as well as renal surgeries. Oxerutin is a member of the flavonoid family and possesses antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether oxerutin has protective effects on RIRI., Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham control group (n=8), RIRI group (n=10), and RIRI + oxerutin group (n=10). RIRI was achieved by clamping the left renal artery for 30 min, followed 1-h reperfusion period. Thereafter, blood samples and left kidney tissue samples were taken for histopathological and biochemical examination. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea, creatinine, and cystatin C levels, which are indicators of kidney function, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which is an indicator of inflammation were analyzed in blood samples. Total antioxidant status and total oxidant status (TOS), which are indicators of oxidative stress were analyzed on renal tissues. The apoptotic index, an indicator of kidney damage, as well as histopathological changes were evaluated on renal tissues., Results: The apoptotic index, TOS, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, BUN, and urea levels were lower in the RIRI + oxerutin group than in the RIRI group (p<0.05). The results demonstrated that the histopathological and biochemical properties of oxerutin protected rats from RIRI., Conclusion: The findings obtained in this study show that prophylactic administration of oxerutin has protective effects on apoptosis and renal failure caused by RIRI. Therefore, oxerutin can be used as an effective prophylactic agent in the treatment of RIRI.

The present study intends to explore the visual and textual content of posts cosmetic surgeons shared on Instagram pages in order to present their cosmetic surgical or non-surgical procedures. To do so, this study employed a qualitative approach using textual and visual content analysis on 200 Instagram posts shared by cosmetic surgeons. The results demonstrated that the content of analyzed posts can be categorized as 12 sub-themes which are clustered around four main themes; "You have got some body imperfections," "Body imperfections are worrisome," "Cosmetic procedure is the solution; we provide it for you" and "It's not a real surgery!."

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and mandibular midline distraction osteogenesis (MMDO) on facial soft tissues using three-dimensional (3D) images., Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients (average age 15.86 ± 2.17 years) were treated with RME and MMDO using tooth-borne distractors. Three-dimensional photographs of each patient were taken with a stereophotogrammetry system at baseline (T0), at the end of the distraction period (T1), and at the end of the consolidation period (T2). All data were analyzed using a dependent-samples t-test at a significance level of 5%., Results: Total and lower face height increased after MMDO (P < .05). Nasal and mouth width increased after RME as compared with baseline (P < .05). The labiomental angle increased at T1 and decreased at T2 (P < .05). After MMDO, the convexity angle increased while the mandibular angle decreased (P < .05). Upper and lower lip angles increased after RME (P < .05). The distance from the lower lip to the E plane increased after MMDO and decreased after RME (P < .05)., Conclusions: The MMDO and RME procedures provide an efficient nonextraction treatment alternative for transverse maxillomandibular deficiency. MMDO may improve the facial soft tissue profile in the transverse and vertical axis of the mandibular region., (© 2021 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc.)

Purpose: The association between the human papillomavirus (HPV) and anogenital carcinomas is well established. However, despite its anatomic adjacency, the relationship between HPV and urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is less clear. Recent meta-analysis and case-control studies demonstrated a significant relationship between the presence of HPV DNA and UCB. The aim of this clinical study was to compare the 2-year follow-up results of HPV-positive and HPV-negative UCB patients to evaluate the prognostic value of HPV DNA positivity in UCB., Methods: The study included patients with stage pTa and pT1 UCB who underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of HPV DNA between January 1 and November 30, 2018. Based on their PCR results, 19 HPV-positive and 38 HPV-negative UCB patients who had regular follow-up in our clinic were evaluated in terms of tumor recurrence and disease progression over a 2-year follow-up period., Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, follow-up time, smoking, or tumor grade (P= .576, P= .368, P= .080, and P= .454). Tumor recurrence was observed at least once in 47.3% (n=9) of the 19 HPV-positive patients and 36.8% (n=14) of the 38 HPV-negative patients (P= .445). There was no difference in disease progression between the groups during follow-up., Conclusion: In our sample of UCB patients, the presence of HPV DNA was associated with a trend toward higher recurrence rate during the 2-year follow-up, though the difference was not statistically significant. No difference in disease progression was observed based on HPV DNA positivity.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Ga-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) scanning is adequate to predict intermediate risk, high risk, or oligometastatic prostate cancer (PCa) as an initial staging modality., Methods: The Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT scan images of 50 PCa patients pathologically proven by transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy were evaluated retrospectively. The association of standard uptake value maximum (SUV max ) value of the area with the highest PSMA expression within the primary tumor with the risk groups and metastatic burden is investigated., Results: The SUV max value was 6.18 in oligometastatic patients where it was measured as 10.93 in patients with higher metastatic burden (p=0.037). The cut-off SUV max value for multiple metastases was 7.96 (p=0.047). According to the regression model, SUV max value has a positive influence [odds ratio (OR)=1.42], which was statistically significant (p=0.038). SUV max values for intermediate and high risk patients were 6.91 and 11.44, respectively (p=0.014). The cut-off SUV max value for the high risk group was 10.55 (p=0.006). In the regression model, SUV max value has a positive influence (OR=1.198), which was statistically significant (p=0.021)., Conclusion: In this paper, we demonstrated the association between SUV max value of primary tumor and Gleason score. Our results also allowed us to suggest that primary tumor SUV max is a sufficiently accurate predictor of D'Amico risk groups in newly diagnosed PCa cases. Additionally, Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT turns out to be a useful tool in determining oligometastatic PCa, which requires a different treatment approach.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess whether the use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) decreased the pain, swelling, and trismus levels of postoperative third molar surgery., Materials and Methods: In a double-blinded, split-mouth randomized study, thirty patients (6 male/24 female, mean age 20.32 years) with bilateral symmetric impacted third molars were enrolled in this study to receive surgery. The PRF mass was randomly placed in one of the extraction sockets, whereas the other socket was left without treatment. The outcome variables were pain, maximum mouth opening (trismus), swelling (edema), and the presence of dry socket which were measured using a 10-point visual analog scale, manual calipers, and 3dMD facial imaging system which was used for the 1st time in the third molar surgery., Results: Statistical analyses revealed that there were no significant differences between the control and study groups regarding postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that PRF was not observed to have a positive effect on postoperative discomfort, so even though, PRF is presumed to have positive effects on healing and recovery processes.

Background: In current study we aimed to examine the effect of a low-level laser therapy on the pain, mouth opening and swelling of patients whose impacted 3rd molar tooth was extracted in addition measurement volumetrically to the edema with 3dMD face system., Methods: It was surveyed 15 patients who had bilateral symmetric lower 3rd molars. Surgical sides of patients were randomly separated into two groups: the study group and the control group. It was applied extra oral low-level laser therapy (LLLT, 0.3 W, 40 s, 4 J/cm(2)) to the study group (n = 15) after the surgical operation and on the 2nd day. Only routine postoperative recommendation (ice application) was made in the control (n = 15) group. The maximum mouth opening, pain level and facial swelling evaluated. 3dMD Face® (3dMD, Atlanta, GA) Photogrammetric System was used to evaluate volumetric changes of the swelling., Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the edema and interincisal opening between the groups and the pain level in the laser group was significantly lower than in the control group on the 7(th) postoperative day., Conclusions: Although there were decreasing trismus, swelling, and pain level, with this LLLT, there was significant difference only in the 7th day pain level in the laser group compared with the control group.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate microleakage under orthodontic ceramic brackets bonded with direct and different indirect bonding techniques and adhesives using micro-computed tomography., Materials and Methods: A total of 30 human maxillary premolars were randomly separated into five groups with six teeth in each group. In group I, teeth were bonded directly with Transbond XT (3M Unitek). In group II, group III, group IV, and group V, teeth were bonded through an indirect technique with Custom I.Q. (Reliance Orthodontic Products), Sondhi Rapid-Set (3M Unitek), RMbond (RMO), and Transbond IDB (3M Unitek), respectively, following the manufacturer's instructions. Micro-CT system model 1172 of Skyscan (Kontich, Belgium) was used to scan all samples. NRecon (Skyscan) version 1.6, CT-Analyser V.1.11 (Skyscan), and TView (SkyScan, Bvba) software programs were used for microleakage evaluation. Microleakage values between the test groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, while the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for within-group comparisons. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05., Results: According to the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test, there were no significant differences among the tested groups, with regard to volume and percentage (microleakage/region of interest × 100) of microleakage values (P < 0.05). The Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that coronal microleakage volume and percentage values significantly differed for RMbond and Transbond IDB groups., Limitations: In the study, only ceramic brackets were used and microleakage into mini gaps did not show up on the micro-CT image because 50% silver nitrate solution could not penetrate into mini gaps which are smaller than silver nitrate particles., Conclusion: Use of direct and indirect bonding techniques with different adhesives did not significantly affect the amount of microleakage., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)