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The flow fields for swirlers with and without a shroud were measured using a two-component laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV)system. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the effect of shrouds on swirler flow fields, in order to provide useful design information for the manufacture of gas turbine fuel nozzles, and to supply benchmark data for comparison with numerical predictions. As a result of the measurements, the radial distributions of three mean velocity components, turbulence intensity, and shear stresses were obtained at five locations (x/d = 0.1, 1, 2, 4, and 8) along the axis of the swirlers. The LDV system was operated in the 20 deg off-axis forward scatter mode with beam expanders and Bragg cell frequency shifting on both components. The flow was seeded by 1 [mu]m mean diameter atomized particles of glycerol and water (50/50) mixture. Comparison of flow with and without the shroud showed that the jet diameter was much smaller, and the flow deceleration in the downstream direction was faster, due to the influence of the shroud, at the same supply pressure (750 mm [H.sub.2]O). As a result of the significant reduction in the swirl number due to the addition of the shroud, the recirculation zone disappeared. In addition to its influence on recirculation, the shroud caused a radially inward shift of the maximum mean and turbulence parameters at all axial locations. The anisotropy of turbulence increased as compared to the values for the swirler without the shroud., Results of Laser-Doppler velocimetry measurements for a 40 degree vane angle swirler with and without a shroud are presented. Three mean velocity and five turbulent stress distributions are taken at five axial locations. The measurements are done to examine how the shroud affects the swirler flow field in gas turbine fuel nozzles. Results show that the shroud reduced the flow at the exit of the swirler. The constriction of the flow at the exit caused the mass flow to decrease even if the inlet pressure remained the same with or without swirlers.

Acetaminophen is a widely used medicine with antipyretic and analgesic effects. N-acetyl-P-benzoquinoneimine accumulation after a high-dose of acetaminophen leads to hepatotoxicity, depletion of glutathione stores, and suppression of the antioxidant defense mechanism. As a result, N-acetyl-P-benzoquinoneimine cannot be eliminated from the body and hepatotoxicity occurs. In this study, the effects of the separate and combined use of ozone and L-carnitine in high-dose acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. A total of 56 female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 8 groups of seven rats. Acetaminophen was administered orally as a single dose to induce liver damage, and 0.5 mg/kg of 95% oxygen plus 5% ozone gas mixture was administered intraperitoneally. After 1-hour APAP administration, Lcarnitine were given 500 mg/kg by intraperitoneally. Serum and tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters were measured to deduce their combined effect. ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test were used for statistical analysis. Acetaminophen+L-carnitine+ozone administration caused a significant decrease in the levels of serum malondialdehyde, total oxidant level, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and tissue malondialdehyde, total oxidant status levels, while it led to a significant increase in the levels of tissue and serum total antioxidant levels. Nonetheless, a clear evidence of superiority over the sole use of ozone or L-carnitine in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity was not present. It was concluded that ozone, L-carnitine and ozone+L-carnitine treatments in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity protected the organism against the harmful effects of free radicals and activated the antioxidant mechanism by suppressing oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alterations of plateletcrit and mean platelet volume (MPV) and pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) have been linked to various inflammatory disorders. The prognostic impact of plateletcrit and MPV were evaluated. Methods: MPV and plateletcrit levels of both CLL and control group were compared and then in CLL patients, additional diseases, leukocyte count, platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase, Rai stage, progression-free and overall survival, mutations, if any, and chemotherapy, if any, were recorded. Then, the relationship between MPV and plateletcrit values and these parameters were evaluated in CLL patients. Results: Platelet and plateletcrit values were found to be significantly lower in CLL patients than the control group (p

Chromosomal data and karyological relationships provide valuable information about karyotype evolution and speciation. For the genus Bunium, the chromosomal data are limited. In the present study, the chromosomal data of 10 taxa are provided, 6 of which are given for the first time, 2 present new chromosome numbers, and 2 agree with previous reports. Four different chromosome numbers (2n=18, 20, 22 and 40) were detected, and 2n=40 is a new number in the genus Bunium. B. brachyactis is the first polyploid species of the genus with a ploidy level of 4x. The most asymmetric karyotypes are those of B. pinnatifolium and B. sayae. Regarding karyological relationships, B. pinnatifolium forms a monophyletic group by quite different karyological features such as large chromosomes, more submedian chromosomes and the most asymmetric karyotypes. In addition, the other 5 taxa form a strong monophyletic group. B. verruculosum and B. ferulaceum are cytotaxonomically very close species, as are B. sayae and B. elegans var. elegans. The chromosome numbers of 2 Turkish species, B. nudum and B. sivasicum, remain unknown. The presented results provide important contributions to the cytotaxonomy of Bunium.

This study investigated the effect of testosterone antibodies and a combination of vitamin A and E on reproductive performance and lipid peroxidation in Tuj sheep during the oestrus period. Two castrated Tuj rams were used to produce an ovine testosterone antibody. To perform the experiment, 30 clinically healthy adult Tuj sheep were divided into three groups, in each group had 10 sheep. The Control group were given a placebo, Group I was injected with the testosterone antibody alone and Group II was injected with testosterone antibody plus a combination of vitamins A and E in Freund"s incomplete adjuvant. The testosterone antibody and vitamin combination were administered at synchronization and 1 week before synchronization. To synchronize the sheep, 2.5 ml GnRH was injected to sheep in Control, Group I and Group II. Control, Group I and II were subsequently given 600 IU PMSG with 2 ml PGF2α at 5th day of synchronization. Progesterone levels were higher in the two treatment groups than in the control group as pregnancy progressed. Plasma malondialdehyde levels were higher during initial drug application and prior to mating but were lower in the experimental groups than in control during pregnancy and after parturition. Erythrocyte glutathione levels remained significantly higher in experimental groups than in Control during pregnancy. The number of offspring and the lambing rates in Group I and Group II was higher than the Control. There were no stillbirths in Group I. The number of nonpregnant sheep was lowest in Group II. In summary, injections of testosterone antibody and a combination of vitamins A and E led to an increased incidence of multiple pregnancies in sheep and a greater number of lambs were born. These data indicate that the immunoneutralization of testosterone combined with a reduction in free radicals via the antioxidant activities of vitamins led to increased rates of conception and twinning. Also, it is thought that to allow the growth of the herd in a shorter time, testosterone antibody and combination of vitamins A and E can be applied.

Eda Celik Guzel,1 Esra Bakkal,1 Savas Guzel,2 Hasan Emre Eroglu,3 Ayse Acar,2 Volkan Kuçukyalcin,2 Birol Topcu4 1Department of Family Physician, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey; 2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey; 3Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey; 4Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey Objective: Depression is a common condition in obese women that can result in severe impairment of their physical and social functioning. A deficiency of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the mechanism of depression. The aim of this study is to investigate whether BDNF levels differ between obese female patients and healthy controls and whether BDNF levels alter with affective states in depressive obese women.Methods: The study group included 40 obese, 40 preobese, and 40 normal weight women. BDNF levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patient and control groups. For identifying the depression and anxiety status, Beck Depression/Anxiety Inventories were used; and for the evaluation of cognitive functions, the mini-mental state examination was used.Results: BDNF levels were significantly lower in obese patients compared to the control group (P

Objective. Obese people may have nutritional deficiencies, although they are exposed to excessive food intake. We aim to assess relationship of vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels and dietary vitamin intake and insulin resistance in obese people. Design. This case-control study was performed at the obesity outpatient clinics between March 2014 and April 2015. Subjects and Methods. We included 304 nondiabetic obese subjects in patient group and 150 normal weight individuals in control group. Patients were questioned in detail about their food intake. Results. Mean age of obese patients was 37.3«10.1 years, the mean duration of obesity was 7.9«5.4 years, and the percentage of female patients was 65.8%. Mean vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) in 69.7%, vitamin B12 deficiency (<200 pg/mL) in 13.5%, and folic acid deficiency (<4 ng/mL) was found in 14.2% of the patients. BMI negatively correlated with vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels. B12 levels negatively correlated with duration of obesity. Insulin resistance was found in 55.9% of patients and HOMA-IR levels negatively correlated with vitamin D and B12 levels. While dietary vitamin D and folic acid intakes were inadequate in all of patients, only 28.3% of patients had inadequate vitamin B12 intake. There was no relation between vitamin levels and dietary vitamin intakes. Conclusions. The study reveals that vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels were low and poor vitamin D and B12 status were associated with insulin resistance in nondiabetic obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) presents significant risks for both maternal and neonatal health, affecting fetal growth and increasing the likelihood of future diabetes mellitus (DM) development in affected women. The dysregulation of metabolic biomarkers, including catestatin, has been implicated in GDM pathophysiology. However, the clinical significance of catestatin in GDM remains poorly understood, particularly in the context of different therapeutic approaches. Methods: This observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate maternal serum catestatin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients and healthy controls. Data were collected at a single time point during the second trimester of pregnancy (24 to 28 weeks). Participants were categorized based on their glucose tolerance and GDM management strategies (diet regulation or insulin therapy). Results: Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated the diagnostic significance of serum catestatin levels in GDM, suggesting a cut-off value of >9.61 ng/mL for discriminating between women with and without GDM. However, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanistic role of catestatin in GDM and its utility in guiding therapeutic interventions. Conclusions: Our study highlights the potential of catestatin as a biomarker for GDM risk stratification and monitoring, complementing existing diagnostic tools. Integrating metabolic biomarkers like catestatin into clinical management approaches may optimize maternal and neonatal health outcomes in GDM. However, the limitations of our study, including its cross-sectional design and sample size, underscore the need for future multicenter studies to validate our findings comprehensively.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of different preparation designs and scan patterns on the accuracy of intraoral scans for complete-arch maxillary laminate veneers., Materials and Methods: Three maxillary typodonts were used to obtain reference models with three different laminate veneer preparation designs: windows (W), beveled (B), and incisal overlap (IO). Reference scans were obtained with a desktop scanner. A total of 90 complete arch intraoral scans were made with an intraoral scanner (Medit i700) following three different scan patterns: straight motion (SM), zigzag motion (ZM), and combined motion (CM). Ten scans were made in each subgroup and exported as standard tessellation language (STL) files. Assessment of accuracy was conducted with a 3D software analysis program (Geomagic Control X). Each STL file was individually aligned with the reference scan using the best fit algorithm tool, and 3D differences were calculated using the root mean square (RMS) value. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc comparison tests were applied to analyze precision and trueness data (α = 0.05)., Results: Two-way ANOVA and post hoc comparison tests revealed significant differences among different preparation designs and scan patterns (p < 0.05). Regarding trueness, the IO when scanned with SM presented higher mean RMS than the other preparation designs (W and B) scanned with the same scanning pattern (p < 0.05). Regarding precision, the groups of W and IO presented significantly higher mean RMS than the group of B when scanned with ZM (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Accuracy of intraoral scans for complete-arch laminate veneers was affected by different laminate veneer preparation designs and scan patterns., Clinical Significance: Modifying scan pattern according to preparation design helps to improve scan accuracy for complete-arch laminate veneers., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to determine how spiritual interventions affect cancer patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual outcomes and quality of life., Methods: Between 2012 and May 2024, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched considering the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Twenty-six randomized controlled trials were included, and 16 were synthesized in the meta-analysis. Bias risk was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias methodology for randomized studies. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations tool was employed for evidence certainty. Heterogeneity was expressed through I 2 and Q statistics. Hedge's g was calculated for effect sizes. Egger's and Kendall's Tau were used for publication bias., Results: Spiritual interventions yielded beneficial effects on fatigue (Hedges's g = 0.900, p < 0.001) and pain (Hedges's g = 0.670, p < 0.001) but not for overall symptom burden (Hedges's g = 0.208, p = 0.176). Significant effects were found for anxiety (Hedges's g = 0.301, p < 0.001), depression (Hedges's g = 0.175, p = 0.016), and psychological distress (Hedges's g = 0.178, p = 0.024), except for hopelessness (Hedges's g = 0.144, p = 0.091). Spiritual interventions enhanced faith (Hedges's g = 0.232, p = 0.035), the meaning of life (Hedges's g = 0.259, p = 0.002), spiritual well-being (Hedges's g = 0.268, p < 0.001), and quality of life (Hedges's g = 245, p < 0.001). Moderator analysis pointed out that cancer stage, total duration, delivery format, providers' qualification, content, and conceptual base of spiritual interventions significantly affect physical, emotional, and spiritual outcomes and quality of life., Conclusion: This meta-analysis highlighted the benefits of spiritual interventions with varying effect sizes on patients' outcomes, as well as quality of life in cancer, and shed on how to incorporate these approaches into clinical practice., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To explore predictors of spiritual well-being behaviors among heart failure patients based on Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model of health-related quality of life and to clarify the interrelationships among these variables., Design: A descriptive and correlational study design was used., Methods: This study included 202 heart failure patients treated between October 2020 and July 2021. Data were collected using the Symptom Status Questionnaire-Heart Failure, Perception of Health Scale, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Descriptive analysis, correlation, and structural equation modeling were performed., Results: Characteristic factors positively affected spiritual well-being both directly (β = 0.19, p = 0.007) and indirectly (β = 0.19; CI (0.106; 0.311)). The direct relationship between health perception and spiritual well-being was significant (β = 0.83, p < 0.05). Symptom status acted as an essential mediator between model variables and spiritual well-being (β = -0.28; CI (-0.449; -0.133)). Comorbidity and symptom status also influence spiritual well-being through health perceptions. These variables explain 77% of the variance in spiritual well-being., Conclusion: The modified structural equation modeling based on Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model fits well in predicting spiritual well-being in patients with heart failure. Spiritual well-being was reported to be poor, and changes in spiritual well-being were predicted by age, educational level, marital status, comorbidity, symptom status, and health perception. The results can be applied to patients with heart failure and may serve as a guide for assessment and interventions for improving spiritual well-being., Clinical Relevance: This study mainly concludes that symptom status and perceived health status affect spiritual well-being in heart failure patients. Symptom relief and improvement in perceived health status interventions may help enhance spiritual well-being in this population. Future studies are needed to investigate the different predictor's effects on spiritual well-being and examine whether symptom management and health status-enhancing interventions result in improved spiritual well-being in the heart failure population., Reporting Method: This study was reported following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cross-sectional studies., Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution., (© 2024 Sigma Theta Tau International.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess oxidative stress in small for gestational age (SGA) newborns and their mothers by evaluating intra- and extracellular thiol homeostasis and the quantification of major oxidants and antioxidants., Methods: A total of 75 mothers and their 75 newborns (43 SGA) were enrolled in this study. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis, serum myeloperoxidase, catalase, total oxidant, and antioxidant status were analyzed. Additionally, erythrocytic glutathione (GSH) homeostasis was measured., Results: Although native and total thiol levels were decreased, disulfide levels were increased in SGA groups. Additionally, myeloperoxidase activity and total oxidant status levels were significantly elevated whereas total antioxidant status levels and enzymatic antioxidant systems were diminished in SGA groups. Similarly, intra-erythrocytic GSH homeostasis was shifted in favor of oxidants in SGA groups., Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that insufficient antioxidant systems in mothers and a robust source of oxidative stress in SGA might contribute to the pathophysiology of SGA births., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pathology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the outcomes of theory-based nursing interventions for coronary heart disease management., Design and Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed databases were electronically searched from January 2013 to August 2021. The Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement guidelines was followed for this meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials on patients with coronary heart disease, using a theory-based nursing intervention were eligible. Methodological quality was examined by two authors using the Modified Jadad Scale. Based on the heterogeneity test, the results were analyzed using a pool of data with 95% confidence intervals, p-values, and fixed or random-effect models (PROSPERO registration number X)., Findings: A total of 1030 studies were initially retrieved, and 8 randomized controlled trials were eventually included in the meta-analysis after screening. The big majority (81.3%) of participants were males, and the mean age was 54.8 (SD = 8.7) years. This meta-analysis found theory-based nursing interventions had no significant effect on blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and healthy lifestyle. However, these interventions significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, and body mass index and improved the physical and psychological domains of quality of life., Conclusions: The evidence from this meta-analysis reveals that theory-based nursing interventions have a positive effect on fasting blood glucose, body mass index, and quality of life. However, their effects on blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and a healthy lifestyle are inconclusive. The results of this metanalysis are largely based on a few trials and were limited in terms of the number of outcomes. Conducting well-designed randomized controlled trials with adequate power is needed to make a firm conclusion on the influence of theory-based nursing interventions on patient outcomes in the CHD population., Clinical Relevance: Considering the high mortality and morbidity of coronary heart disease, nurses may play a significant role in coronary heart disease management by providing interventions that are based on a certain theoretical framework. This meta-analysis provides insights into the implementation of theory-based nursing interventions in heart attack survivors or those newly diagnosed with coronary heart disease led by nurses and lasting longer than 6 months in coronary heart disease. In addition, future studies should consider enhancing the content of training programs for a healthy lifestyle within the theory-based nursing interventions and compare the effects of these interventions on acute and chronic coronary syndromes., (© 2022 Sigma Theta Tau International.)

Background: The aim of the study, to evaluate the relationship between mode of delivery and preterm morbidities and mortality, who born ≤34 weeks of gestation within 1 year., Materials and Methods: Babies were divided into two groups as who were born by cesarean section (CS) and vaginal delivery (VD) between March 2019 and March 2020. Infants born at ≤28 weeks were also analyzed., Results: The rate of CS delivery was 76% (378) in the whole group and 73% (115) in the babies of ≤28 gestational weeks. The most common maternal factor causing CS was preeclampsia (25%). The antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) application rate was 30% (152) in the whole group and 30% (45) in infants of ≤28 weeks. Rate of babies with an Apgar score of <5 at 5th min, asphyxia, multiple organ failure, development of severe respiratory distress syndrome, severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and mortality were significantly increased in infants born VD (for all p < 0.05). Mortality was significantly higher when gestational age was ≤28 weeks, birth weight was ≤1500 g and ACS was not administered (p < 0.001 for all)., Conclusion: Mortality, severe IVH, neonatal asphyxia and multiple organ failure were found to be higher in those who were born by VD. These findings suggest that these results were due to inadequate prenatal care and follow-up and lack of ACS., (© The Author(s) [2022]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)