Mechanical, Thermal, Flammability Analyses of Composites Made of Recycled High-Density Polyethylene and Perlite

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a widely used plastic for applications such as packaging for food industry and piping system in nuclear plants because of its beneficial properties, including lightweight, impact resistance, and chemical resistance. The use of HDPE can contribute to environmental problems, such as depletion of natural resources and accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and oceans. There is a growing need to find ways to recycle and reuse HDPE. While the use of recycled HDPE presents certain challenges such as relatively low thermal, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy, the addition of mineral-based additives can enhance these properties. By incorporating perlite, a natural mineral, as an additive in recycled HDPE, its thermal properties, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy can be enhanced. In this work, composites with different ratios of r-HDPE to perlite (neat r-HDPE, 10:1; and 10:2 r-HDPE/Perlite ratio) were produced by using a twin screw extruder (TSE). The composites were pelletized using an extrusion-compression molding (ECM) process. The composites were analyzed by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate their thermal properties, such as melting point and degree of crystallinity. Mechanical tests, including tensile and flexural tests, were carried out to assess the mechanical properties and failure mechanism of the r- HDPE/perlite composites. To assess the flame retardancy of the composite, a flammability test was conducted. It was found that the degree of crystallinity increased, from 50% for neat r-HDPE to 55% and 62% for 10:1 and 10:2 r-HDPE/perlite ratios, respectively. Additionally, the Young\u27s modulus increased from 0.89 to 1.14 GPa for neat r-HDPE and 10:2 r-HDPE/perlite ratio, while the tensile strength showed a slight increase. The flexural modulus of the composite increased by approximately 37.5% with the addition of perlite. Finally, the flame resistance was found to increase by around 17% with the incorporation of perlite, indicating improved flame retardancy. These findings suggest that perlite is a promising additive for enhancing the thermal and mechanical properties, crystallinity, and flame retardancy of r-HDPE

Quality of YouTube Videos on Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma Protocol

Objective: The Focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) protocol is one of the most critical steps in trauma assessment in current emergency department practices.  The contribution of video-based learning to medical education is increasingly recognized. This study aims to evaluate the quality of videos related to e-FAST ultrasonography as well as the factors influencing video quality. Methods: The study encompassed conducting searches on YouTube using the keywords "FAST," "E-FAST," and "Trauma USG," followed by a comprehensive analysis of the retrieved videos.  The quality of these videos was evaluated using JAMA, GQS, and DISCERN scores. Results: The study included 93 videos. The mean mDISCERN score was 3.1 (0.9), the mean JAMA score was 2.1 (0.7), and the mean GQS score was 3.4 (1.0). Sixty-five (69.9%) of the videos were recorded by individuals, and 60 (64.5%) used only the US image in the video. The median video length was 639 seconds (s) (range: 250–1305 s), median number of comments was 0 (range 0–4), median upload date (days) was 1675 (range: 976-2750), number of views was 2250 (range: 467-14187), and number of likes was 28 (range: 8-162). The mean mDISCERN and JAMA scores of institutional videos were 3.2 (0.9) and 2.2 (0.7), respectively, and the mean mDISCERN and JAMA scores of individual videos were 2.7 (0.8) and 1.9 (0.7) (P values = 0.008 and 0.018, respectively). The mean GQS score of institutional videos was 3.5 (0.1), and the mean GQS score of individual videos was 3.3 (0.8) (P=0.325). The median number of comments in individual videos was 4.0 (range: 0.0–12.5), while the median number of comments in institutional videos was 0.0 (range: 0.0–2.0; P= 0.011).   There is a significant difference in the number of likes (P=0.043). No significant difference was found in video length,  date, and number of views between individual and institutional videos (P values = 0.236, 0.974, and 0.255, respectively). Conclusion: Upon reviewing e-FAST/FAST protocol videos on social networks, it becomes apparent that institutional videos exhibit better quality. Institutional videos are not only more target-oriented, but they also provide reliable information and are optimized for timeliness

Exploring the Interplay Between Social Media Addiction, Mindful Eating, Intuitive Eating, Orthorexia Nervosa, and Mental Health in Young Adults

Background: and the popularity of healthy eating movements on these platforms, a potential relationship between orthorexia nervosa (ON), intuitive eating, mindful eating, and social media addiction warrants investigation. Aims: This study aimed to explore the complex relationship between social media addiction, mindful eating, intuitive eating, ON, depression, anxiety, and stress in young adults. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 students, in Istanbul, Türkiye, between December 2023 and May 2024. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, Orthorexia Nervosa Questionnaire (ORTO-11), Intuitive Eating Scale – 2nd edition (IES-2), Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-Short Form (DASS-21), and Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS). Body weight and height information were self-reported. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0. Results: Of the participants, 67.7% were at risk of ON. According to ON classification, IES-2 and SMAS scores of participants with the risk of ON were higher and statistically significantly different compared to the participants with no risk of ON (p < 0.001, and p = 0.047, respectively). The ORTO-11 showed a positive moderate correlation with IES-2 scores (r = 0.401, p < 0.01), however, it showed a negative weak correlation with MEQ (r =-0.362, p < 0.01). Additionally, there was a negative weak correlation with ORTO-11 and SMAS (r =-0.104, p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that all predictors were associated with the risk of ON. These variables predicted 13% of the variance. Conclusion: The results suggest that modern social media may contribute to orthorexic symptoms, mindful and intuitive eating behaviors, and mental health outcomes

Surgical management of axillosubclavian vascular injuries

Objective: Complex surgical exposures to upper extremity injuries required for conventional surgery correlate with a high morbidity and mortality. We present our results with conventional surgery following injuries of the subclavian and axillary vessels. Methods: Between November 2007 and March 2012, 29 cases with subclavian-axillary vascular injury were operated. Diagnostic and treatment methods, associated organ injury, morbidity and mortality rates in these cases were respectively reviewed. Results: The causes of injuries were stab wounds in 11 cases (37.9%), gunshot wounds in 9 cases (31%), iatrogenic injuries in 5 cases (17.2%) and blunt trauma 4 cases (13.7%). Eight patients (27.5%) had isolated arterial injury while 21 patients (72.4%) had coexisting organ injury (vein, bone, soft tissue, nerve). Primary repair and usage of saphenous vein were the most common surgical methods. One patient died due to myocardial infarction. (Mortality 3.4%) Conclusions: Vascular injuries of axillosubclavian are frequently associated with neurogenic, osseous and soft tissue injuries and should have early intervention. Conventional surgery remains the choice of treatment in patients with poor status and urgency

Analiza fracţiunilor lipidice din carnea de porc prin cromatografie în strat subţire de inaltă performanţă

High performance thin layer chromatography is a fast and eficient method for the separation of complex mixtures. The HPTLC analysis of lipid fractions on silica gel plates used for extraction a solvent mixture consisting of hexane, chloroform and ethanol and as reagent color a mix of copper sulphate and phosphoric acid. The resulting chromatogram presented a variable baseline and five corresponding peaks to the following lipid fractions: cholesterol esters- triacylglicerols, free fatty acids, cholesterol, phospholipids, mono- and diacylglicerols. Interpretation of the HPTLC analysis results can provide information about both the (%) composition of the major lipid fractions and about the freshness of the samples analyzed (meat of Landrace pork raised with industrial diet or in tradional farm versus meat of Vietnamese pork raised in tradional farm)

Betatrophin levels are related to the early histological findings in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Betatrophin, a liver hormone, regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. We investigated the betatrophin levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and searched for any relationship with histological severity and metabolic parameters. Fifty males with NAFLD [Nonalcoholic Steatohepati-tis (NASH) (n = 32); non-NASH (n = 18)] and 30 healthy controls were included. Plasma betatrophin was measured by ELISA method. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by HOMA-IR index. Histological features were scored by the semi quantitative classification and combined as the NAFLD activity score (NAS). Betatrophin levels in the non-NASH group were significantly higher than the controls. Betatrophin was positively correlated to the age, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR index and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase levels, and negatively correlated to the steatosis and NAS. In the stepwise linear regression analysis, the triglyceride (β = 0.457, p &lt; 0.001), glucose (β = 0.281, p = 0.02) and NAS (β = −0.260, p = 0.03) were the independent determinants of betatrophin. Betatrophin levels are higher in the early stages of NAFLD and tend to decrease when the disease progresses. This could be an important preliminary mechanistic finding to explain the increased frequency of glucose intolerance during the course of NAFLD

Waist Circumference Cutoff Points to Predict Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Cardiovascular Risk in Turkish Adults

Objective. The waist circumference (WC) cutoff levels defined for the Caucasian people may not be representative for different ethnic groups. We determined sex specific WC cutoff points to predict obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk in Turkish adults. Design and Methods. The demographic characteristics of 1898 adult males and 2308 nonpregnant females from 24 provinces of 7 different regions of Turkey (mean age 47 ± 14 yrs) were evaluated. Results. The WC levels of 90 cm and 100 cm define overweight and obese males while the levels of 80 cm and 90 cm define overweight and obese females. With these cutoff values, 239 additional males (12.6%) are diagnosed as overweight and 148 additional males (7.8%) as obese. Instead, 120 females (5.1%) are free of being labeled as obese. Conclusions. This is the first nationwide study to show the action levels of WC for overweight and obese Turkish adults. The ideal cutoff levels of WC to predict metabolic syndrome are 90 cm and 80 cm for Turkish adult men and women, respectively. These values are easy to implement and suggested to be used by the physicians dealing with cardiometabolic disorders in Turkey

Exercise, Heart and Health

Regular physical activity provides a variety of health benefits, including improvement in cardiopulmonary or metabolic status, reduction of the risk of coronary artery disease or stroke, prevention of cancer, and decrease in total mortality. Exercise-related cardiac events are occasionally reported during highly competitive sports activity or vigorous exercises. However, the risk of sudden death is extremely low during vigorous exercise, and habitual vigorous exercise actually decreases the risk of sudden death during exercise. The cause of sudden death is ischemic in older subjects (≥35 years old), while cardiomyopathies or genetic ion channel diseases are important underlying pathology in younger (<35 years old) victims. The subgroup of patients who are particularly at higher risk of exercise-related sudden death may be identified in different ways, such as pre-participation history taking, physical examination and/or supplementary cardiac evaluation. Limitations exist because current diagnostic tools are not sufficient to predict a coronary artery plaque with potential risk of disruption and/or an acute thrombotic occlusion. Proper and cost-effective methods for identification of younger subjects with cardiac structural problems or genetic ion channel diseases are still controversial

Impact of Obesity on the Metabolic Control of Type 2 Diabetes: Results of the Turkish Nationwide Survey of Glycemic and Other Metabolic Parameters of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (TEMD Obesity Study)

Background: Obesity is the main obstacle for metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Turkey has the highest prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Europe. The effect of obesity on the metabolic control, and the macro- and microvascular complications of patients are not apparent. Objectives: This nationwide survey aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes and to search for the impact of obesity on the metabolic control of these patients. We also investigated the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow-up for at least 1 year in 69 tertiary healthcare units in 37 cities. The demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data including medications were recorded. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, younger than 18 years, had decompensated liver disease, psychiatric disorders interfering with cognition or compliance, had bariatric surgery, or were undergoing renal replacement therapy. Results: Only 10% of patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 4,648) had normal body mass indexes (BMI), while the others were affected by overweight (31%) or obesity (59%). Women had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (53.4 vs. 40%) and severe obesity (16.6 vs. 3.3%). Significant associations were present between high BMI levels and lower education levels, intake of insulin, antihypertensives and statins, poor metabolic control, or the presence of microvascular complications. Age, gender, level of education, smoking, and physical inactivity were the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The TEMD Obesity Study shows that obesity is a major determinant of the poor metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results underline the importance of prevention and management of obesity to improve health care in patients with type 2 diabetes. Also, the results point out the independent sociodemographic and clinical associates of obesity, which should be the prior targets to overcome, in the national fight with obesity