Novel insight into pressurization of the male and female urethra through application of a multi-channel fibre-optic pressure transducer: Proof of concept and validation

Ryan E. Stafford,John Arkwright,Phil G. Dinning,Wolbert van den Hoorn,Paul W. Hodges 대한비뇨의학회 2020 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.61 No.5

Purpose: To confirm feasibility of recording pressure along the length of the urethra using a multi-sensor fibre-optic pressure catheter; to identify the spatial and temporal features of changes in pressure along the urethra at sites related to specific striated pelvic floor muscles; and to investigate the relationship between urethral pressures and activation of individual pelvic floor muscles estimated from ultrasound imaging. Materials and Methods: Proof-of-concept study including one male (47 years old) and one female (33 years old). A multi-sensor fibre optic pressure catheter (10 mm sensor separation) was inserted into the urethra. Pressure data were recorded simultaneously with trans-perineal ultrasound imaging measures of pelvic floor muscle activity during sub-maximal and maximal voluntary contractions and evoked coughs. Results: Pressure changes along the urethra were recorded in all tasks in both participants. Face validity of interpretation of pressure measures with respect to individual muscles was supported by correlation with ultrasound-measured displacements induced by the relevant muscles. Onset of pressure increase occurred in a distal to proximal sequence in the urethra of the male but not the female during voluntary contraction. Peak urethral pressures varied in location, timing and amplitude between tasks. Evoked cough induced in the greatest urethral pressure increase across all tasks for both participants. Conclusions: The high spatial resolution pressure catheter provide viable and valid recordings of urethral pressure in a male and female. Data provide preliminary evidence of sex differences in spatial and temporal distribution of urethral pressure changes.

Characterization of short-length multi-walled carbon nanotubes and cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231 and HUVEC cell lines

Dinç Bircan,Ünlü Ayhan,Bektaş Muhammet 한국탄소학회 2020 Carbon Letters Vol.30 No.2

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are suitable for delivering large biomolecules with lower cytotoxicity values and low prime cost. Surface modifcations of MWNTs afect interaction with cells and proteins. Oxidation with strong acids decreases cytotoxicity of CNTs and increases protein-loading capacity. Here, after oxidation, TEM images revealed more aligned structure and carboxylated groups at the surface which decreases toxicity. Functionalized MWNTs showed more gradual degradation than the pristine MWNTs and mass loss increased by 2% in the same temperature range. Raman spectroscopy corrected graphitic structure with characteristic D and G bands at 1330 and 1579 cm−1 and increased intensity after oxidation. FTIR spectroscopy peaks at 1443 cm−1, 1560, 1640 cm−1, 2100–2200 cm−1 and 3426 cm−1 are ascribed to C–O–C vibrational stretch, C=C bonds, vibration of C≡C bonds and stretch of hydroxyl groups, respectively. The sonication�driven dispersion of in phosphate-bufered saline, distilled water and cell culture medium were detected by UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, water-dispersed functionalized MWNTs revealed the highest absorbance value. Cytotoxicity of MWNTs was investigated before and after functionalization in breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and human vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells. Relatively low-toxicity results were obtained in functionalized MWNTs and cellular uptake of MWNTs were corrected with fuorescent imaging of cells and cell lysates. Protein-loading capacity of fsMWNTs (functionalized short-length multi-walled carbon nanotubes) was evaluated by using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and with an equal amount of fsMWNTs and BSA; 36% binding yield was obtained. Protein corona after covalent functionalization potentially lowered cytotoxicity up to 6%

Design, Synthesis and Characterization of a pH-Sensitive DS/GM Hydrogel

Zeynep Özenir,Celile Demirbilek,Cemile Özdemir Dinç 한국고분자학회 2015 Macromolecular Research Vol.23 No.11

Dextran sulfate/glycidyl methacrylate (DS/GM) hydrogels were synthesized by intermolecular side-chain reaction of DS hydroxyl groups with monomeric crosslinking agent, GM in aqueous solutions at 75 oC in the basic medium in this study. The optimum conditions of effective crosslinking for DS/GM system were determined with changing amounts of crosslinker and initiator (benzoyl peroxide, BPO). The swelling abilities of the hydrogels were explained with determining of certain structural parameters for the hydrogel such as equilibrium water content, percentages of gellation, and swelling ratio. pH dependent swelling behaviors of hydrogels were investigated and swelling ability at basic medium was higher than that at acidic medium. Surface morphologies of DS and its hydrogels were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and they compared. Structures and thermal stabilities of DS/ GM hydrogels were characterized by infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC); effect of GM on crosslinking was investigated. The viscosities of DS/GM reaction products were recorded continuously as a function of time with rotary viscometer and gellation points of binary system reaction between DS and GM were determined via observed viscosity numbers, changes during reaction.

Atrial Electromechanical Coupling in Patients with Lichen Planus

Mehmet Yaman,Osman Beton,Lale Dinç Asarcıklı,Aytekin Aksakal,Orhan Dogdu,Uğur Arslan 대한심장학회 2016 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.46 No.4

Background and objectives: A chronic inflammatory disease, lichen planus may cause disturbance of atrial electromechanical coupling and increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial electromechanical delay with both electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography in patients with lichen planus (LP). Subjects and Methods: Seventy-two LP patients (43 males [59.7%], mean age: 44.0±16.7 years) were enrolled in this cross-sectional casecontrol study. The control group was selected in a 1:1 ratio from 70 patients in an age and sex matched manner. P wave dispersion was measured by ECG to show atrial electromechanical delay. All of the patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography for measuring inter- and intra-atrial electromechanical delays. Results: The baseline characteristics of the patients and the control group were similar except for the presence of LP. P-wave dispersion measured by ECG was significantly higher in patients with LP (p<0.001). Patients with LP had significantly prolonged intra- and interatrial electromechanical delays when compared to the control group (p<0.001). In addition, all of these variables were significantly correlated with high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Conclusion: Atrial electromechanical coupling, which is significantly correlated with increased hsCRP levels, is impaired in patients with LP.

Distinctive Characteristic Features of Intramedullary Hemangiopericytomas

Cezmi Çağrı Türk,Niyazi Nefi Kara,Dinç Süren,Çağatay Özdöl,Tolga Gediz,Sevim Yıldız3 대한척추외과학회 2015 Asian Spine Journal Vol.9 No.4

Study Design: The retrospective analysis of intramedullary hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) was performed, and the entity was discussed in accordance with the literature findings. Purpose: This study aimed at defining distinctive characteristic features of intramedullary HPC with respect to surgical approach and prognosis. Overview of Literature: Intramedullary HPCs are extremely rare tumors. They originate from capillary pericytes, supposedly follow the vessels over the spinal cord, and infiltrate deep into the spinal cord without a distinct plane. Their treatments and prognosis are not well-defined in the literature. Methods: Our database was retrospectively reviewed for the cases of HPCs. Later on, a literature search was performed to reveal all reported cases of intramedullary HPCs. The following key words were searched in PubMed databases: “hemangiopericytoma and intramedullary,” “hemangiopericytoma and spine (spinal) and intradural,” and “hemangiopericytoma and spinal cord.” The articles were reviewed for patients’ demographics features, imaging characteristics, tumor-specific factors (surgical technique, pathological descriptions, and world health organization grades), and postoperative course and prognosis (adjuvant therapies, recurrences, complications, and mortalities). Results: A total of seven patients (three male and four female) was reached, with their ages ranging from 15 to 80 years (mean, 32.5 years). The tumors were located majorly in thoracic region (5/7, 71.4%), and only two cases were in the cervical region (2/7, 28.6%). All tumors were completely removed, and only two cases received radiotherapy. No recurrence was reported. Conclusions: Complete resection of the intramedullary HPCs seems to be the best management strategy for long-term and recurrence- free survival and in alleviating further need for radiotherapy.

Comparison of the Effects of Electroacupuncture and Melatonin on Nerve Regeneration in Experimentally Nerve-Damaged Rats

Yasemin Özkan,Mehmet Turgut,Yasemin Turan,Mehmet Dinçer Bilgin,Sinem Sari,Mustafa Yilmaz,Yiğit Uyanikgil,Mahmut Alp Kiliç,Derya Tanriöver,Zehra Seznur Kasar 사단법인약침학회 2021 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.14 No.5

Background: Development of methods to accelerate nerve regeneration in peripheral nerve damage is important. Electroacupuncture is a new therapeutic method that combines traditional acupuncture with modern electrotherapy. Melatonin has been shown to reduce nerve damage. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine and compare the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and melatonin on rat sciatic nerve injury. Methods: A total of 56 adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four study groups with 14 animals in each group: intact control (group I), subcutaneous saline (group II), subcutaneous melatonin (group III), and electroacupuncture (group IV). Surgical procedure including unilateral (right) sciatic nerve injury was applied to groups II, III, and IV. Saline and melatonin started immediately after surgery for six weeks, while electroacupuncture was given two weeks after surgery for 3 weeks. Functional and histological assessments were used as outcome measurements. Results: Sciatic nerve damage caused a significant decrease in nerve conduction velocity. Both electroacupuncture treatment and melatonin treatment significantly increased the nerve conduction velocity. Both sciatic functional recovery and histological regeneration were faster in these treatment groups compared to the saline. However, no significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture and melatonin are promising alternative treatment strategies for peripheral nerve damage and can be examined in detail in future studies.

Antibacterial Bilayered Skin Patches Made of HPMA and Quaternary Poly(4-vinyl pyridine)

İ. Alper İşoğlu,Cemre Demirkan,Mine Gül Şeker,Kadriye Tuzlakoğlu,Sevil Dinçer İşoğlu 한국섬유공학회 2018 Fibers and polymers Vol.19 No.11

This study aimed to produce poly(4-vinyl pyridine) and hydroxypropyl methacrylamide (HPMA)-based bilayer wound dressings materials enhancing healing mechanism for the wounds which have self-healing problem and high infection risk. These materials were designed to protect wound from secondary traumas caused microorganism invasion and do not have toxic substance release problem. Synthesis of quaternary poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (poly(Q4-VP)) which is the antibacterial layer of wound dressing material was carried out in two stages. At first stage, poly(4-vinyl pyridine) polymer was synthesized from 4-vinyl pyridine monomer by free radical polymerization. Then, poly(Q4-VP) was synthesized from poly(4-VP) by alkylation reaction with 6-bromocaproic acid. Resulted polymer was structurally characterized by FT-IR. The macroporous spongy structure, as the lower layer of wound dressing material, was prepared by cryogelation of HPMA. Then, the antibacterial polymer was electrospun onto the cryogel structure and bilayered material was obtained. Cryogel structure, fiber morphology and layer integration was examined by SEM. In order to enhance wound healing process, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was loaded to cryogel layer and release was followed by spectrophotometrically. The antimicrobial properties of the materials were examined against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively. According to the results, bilayered, antibacterial and antifungal against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, temporary wound dressings which can stimulate wound healing and have high swelling capacity were obtained successfully.

Conjunction of a Fungus Ball and a Pulmonary Tumourlet in a Bronchiectatic Cavity

Serkan Yazgan,Soner Gürsoy,Figen Türk,Zekiye Aydoğdu Dinç 대한흉부외과학회 2018 Journal of Chest Surgery (J Chest Surg) Vol.51 No.2

Herein, we describe the case of a 67-year-old female patient who presented with cough and haemoptysis. Chest computed tomography revealed destruction of the left lower lobe and multiple fungus balls in a bronchiectatic cavity. A left lower lobectomy was performed via thoracotomy. Histopathological examination of the lung showed a concomitant aspergilloma and multiple tumourlets in the large bronchiectatic cavity. Pulmonary intracavitary aspergilloma and concomitant tumourlets are quite rare. Our report presents this interesting case that manifested with haemoptysis.

Simultaneous biosynthesis of reduced graphene oxide-Ag-Cu2O nanostructures by lichen extract for catalytic reduction of textile dyes

Zafer Çıplak,Bengü Getiren,Ceren Gökalp,Ceren Atila Dinçer,Atila Yıldız,Nuray Yıldız 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.12

Metal/metal oxide nanostructures based reduced graphene oxide (LrGO-Ag, LrGO-Cu2O, LrGO-Ag-Cu2O) nanocomposites were obtained via green method using Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. lichen extract. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed to analyze the prepared nanostructures. The results indicated that the nanocomposites were synthesized effectively and Ag-Cu2O nanoparticles with the mean diameter of 27nm were well dispersed on the LrGO. The conversion of methylene blue (MB) to Leuco Methylene Blue (LMB) and 4-Nitrophenol (4- NP) to 4-Aminophenol (4-AP) was performed by biosynthesized catalysts in the presence of NaBH4. The reaction rate of LrGO-Ag-Cu2O nanocomposite during 4-NP and MB reduction was found as 0.0026 s1 and 0.0497 s1, respectively. The LrGO-Ag-Cu2O nanocomposite showed superior catalytic performance for the reduction of both textile dyes.

Effects of metal surface grinding at the porcelain try-in stage of fixed dental prostheses

Halil İbrahim Kılınç,Bülent Kesim,Hasan Önder Gümüş,Mehmet Dinçel,Selçuk Erkaya 대한치과보철학회 2014 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.6 No.4

PURPOSE. This study was to evaluate the effect of grinding of the inner metal surface during the porcelain try-in stage on metal-porcelain bonding considering the maximum temperature and the vibration of samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety-one square prism-shaped (1 × 1 × 1.5 mm) nickel-chrome cast frameworks 0.3 mm thick were prepared. Porcelain was applied on two opposite outer axial surfaces of the frameworks. The grinding was performed from the opposite axial sides of the inner metal surfaces with a low-speed handpiece with two types of burs (diamond, tungsten-carbide) under three grinding forces (3.5 N, 7 N, 14 N) and at two durations (5 seconds, 10 seconds). The shear bond strength (SBS) test was performed with universal testing machine. Statistical analyzes were performed at 5% significance level. RESULTS. The samples subjected to grinding under 3.5 N showed higher SBS values than those exposed to grinding under 7 N and 14 N (P<.05). SBS values of none of the groups differed from those of the control group (P>.05). The types of bur (P=.965) and the duration (P=.679) did not affect the SBS values. On the other hand, type of bur, force applied, and duration of the grinding affected the maximum temperatures of the samples, whereas the maximum vibration was affected only by the type of bur (P<.05). CONCLUSION. Grinding the inner metal surface did not affect the metalporcelain bond strength. Although the grinding affected the maximum temperature and the vibration values of the samples, these did not influence the bonding strength.