Changes in Smoking Patterns in Turkey Before and After the Ban on Loose Cigarettes: An Ecological Perspective From Global Tobacco Surveillance Data.

Introduction: Loose or individual cigarettes sold without packaging pose a unique challenge for tobacco control, which is the leading cause of premature and preventable mortality worldwide. This study aims to assess the changes in smoking patterns following the ban on loose cigarettes in 2008 in Turkey.

Method: Gender-stratified trend analysis of smoking patterns before and after the ban on loose cigarettes was done using the Global Tobacco Surveillance data (adults: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2008, 2012, and 2016; youth: Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2003, 2005, 2009, 2012, and 2017) from Turkey.

Tobacco Imagery in Movies and Web Series Streaming in India and Their Compliance With the Recent Anti-tobacco Rules for Over-the-Top (OTT) Platforms.

Introduction: Internet access, smartphones, and televisions have significantly boosted over-the-top (OTT) movies and web series viewing in India, especially among youths. Despite restrictions, OTT platforms continue to promote tobacco products. India has recently enforced the revised OTT Rules 2023 effective September 1, 2023, to counter tobacco promotion in OTT shows.

A Vehicle-to-Grid System for Controlling Parameters of Microgrid System.

The power system for large-scale adoption of hybrid electric vehicles can benefit from a distributed reserve provided by the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) concept. This study suggests a V2G technology that can effectively control frequency on a microgrid throughout a 24-h cycle. When usage is at its lowest in the spring or fall, a microgrid is intended to be large enough to simulate a community of 2000 households.

Appropriate Method of TIBC Estimation in Reference to Serum Transferrin Levels.

 The currently available various methods of estimation of total iron binding capacity (TIBC) show marked variation in reference range. Although serum transferrin (TF) level is a sensitive indicator of iron status, its measurement requires immunoassay equipment which may not be available in many routine biochemistry laboratories. So, this study was planned to find the most appropriate method to estimate TIBC.

Inter-Institutional Collaboration Between Quaternary and Tertiary Hospitals: Cardiac Surgery Impact.

Background: An inter-institutional collaboration between a quaternary hospital (QH) with a high volume of cardiac surgery and a community-based, tertiary hospital (TH) with a newly established cardiac surgery program was established.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of patients admitted to the TH between September 2015 and June 2017 for cardiac surgery. The decision to transfer a patient to the QH was based on a Society of Thoracic Surgeon-Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) score of ≥ 3%, the potential need for hemodialysis, and other risk factors.

Development of intravaginal rod insert bearing liposomal raloxifene hydrochloride and Leuprolide acetate as a potential carrier for uterine targeting.

Objectives: This project aimed at the formulation of dual drug entrapped liposomes held as freeze-dried intravaginal rod insert (IVR), to be administered by vaginal route for uterine targeting.

Methods: Liposomes were formulated by dehydration-rehydration method using 3 : 1 molar ratio of1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine : Cholesterol. Characterization was done for vesicle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, surface morphology and % loading.

A Successful Case for Deselection of Albino Embryo and Live Birth of Albinism-Free Healthy Baby Followed by PGT-M.

In recent years, Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) has gained a lot of focus in the field of assisted reproduction technology, various studies have been published in support of it and many are opposing its role. It has been criticized due to many ethical as well as scientific reasons, but there is no doubt that PGT-M has been one of the most important breakthroughs in fertilization. A critical aspect of this technology is the possibility that the biopsy itself can adversely affect the quality of embryo and compulsion of embryo freezing.

Vasopressin for Septic Shock in a Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Critically ill patients often need vasopressors to treat hypotension related to septic shock and to maintain adequate systemic perfusion. Although the 2017 guidelines of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommend norepinephrine as first-line therapy, they also state that vasopressin may be considered as an adjunctive agent for patients with refractory shock. Limited evidence is available for directing optimal administration of vasopressin.

Formulation and evaluation of liquisolid compacts of itraconazole to enhance its oral bioavailability.

Formulate and evaluate liquisolid compacts of Itraconazole, a biopharmaceutical classification system class II drug, which has poor bioavailability. PEG 600 was used as a nonvolatile solvent, Alfacel PH 200 as a carrier and Aerosil 200 as a coating material. The Itraconazole solution upon mixing with a carrier and coating material resulted in a dry powder, which was compressed into tablets.

Formulation of Technetium-labeled leuprolide loaded liposomes and its biodistribution study in New Zealand white female rabbits for assessment of its uterine targeting efficiency.

Leuprolide acetate (LPA), a GnRH analogue, is drug of choice for treatment of uterine fibroids and endometriosis. The current marketed formulations of LPA show severe systemic side effects. This project aims to formulate LPA loaded liposomes to be administered by vaginal route for uterine targeting.

Effect of Simplified One-Step Drilling Protocol on Osseointegration.

This study was designed to compare the combined effect of two different drilling techniques (conventional expansion and one-step) and four different implant geometries in a beagle dog model. The nondecalcified bone-implant samples underwent histologic/metric analysis at 2 and 6 weeks. Morphologic analysis showed similarities between different drilling technique groups and implant geometries.

A gamma scintigraphy study to investigate uterine targeting efficiency of raloxifene-loaded liposomes administered intravaginally in New Zealand white female rabbits.

Context: Raloxifene hydrochloride (RLH), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, shows antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on Leiomyoma. Its extensive first pass metabolism leads to oral bioavailability of 2%.

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to formulate RLH-loaded liposomes and study its uterine-targeting efficiency after intravaginal administration.

Formulation and evaluation of Itraconazole nanoemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability.

Itraconazole (ITR), an antifungal agent has poor bioavailability due to low aqueous solubility. The present investigation aimed at development of ITR nanoemulsion to enhance its oral bioavailability. ITR nanoemulsion was prepared using Capmul MCM C8 as oil, Pluronic F68 as co-surfactant and Cremophore EL as surfactant using high speed stirring, followed by probe sonication.

Formulation and evaluation of Itraconazole nanoemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability.

Itraconazole (ITR), an antifungal agent has poor bioavailability due to low aqueous solubility. The present investigation aimed at development of ITR nanoemulsion to enhance its oral bioavailability. ITR nanoemulsion was prepared using Capmul MCM C8 as oil, Pluronic F68 as co-surfactant and Cremophore EL as surfactant using high speed stirring, followed by probe sonication.

Development and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles for enhancement of oral bioavailability of Raloxifene.

The objective of this study was to increase the oral bioavailability of Raloxifene having an absolute bioavailability only 2% due to extensive first pass hepatic metabolism by incorporating it in Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs). The optimized RSLNs prepared by Ultrasonic Emulsification and Low Temperature Solidification method showed the mean particle size, zeta potential and percentage drug entrapment of 101.4±3.

Prevalence of insomnia symptoms in sleep laboratory patients with and without sleep apnea.

We used the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of insomnia symptoms in 100 adult patients referred for laboratory evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sixty-one percent met ISI criteria for a moderate to severe degree of insomnia symptoms. The distribution of insomnia symptoms did not differ by OSA severity.

Effective single-charge end point of cordless light-emitting diode light-curing units.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the battery lives of cordless light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and their effect on orthodontic bracket bond strength.

Methods: One hundred eighty-six metal orthodontic brackets were bonded to extracted molars. Two LED light-curing units (L.