Morphometric Analysis and Incidence of Accessory Foramen Transversarium in a Population in Eastern Turkey

The aim of this study is to reveal the incidence and morphometric features of the accessory foramen transversarium in the population in eastern Turkey. In the study, a total of 125 cervical vertebrae of unknown gender and age, located in the Anatomy Department of Ataturk, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım and Kafkas University Medical Faculties, were used and accessory foramen transversarium was detected in 22 (17.6 %) of these cervical vertebrae. In this study, the area, vertical and horizontal diameters of the accessory foramen transversarium were measured for the first time. It was determined that the accessory foramen transversarium with the largest area was in C3-C6 (6.8 mm2) and the smallest area was in C7 (1.06 mm2). It was determined that the largest vertical diameter was C7 (2.38 mm), the smallest one was C3-C6 (0.91 mm), the largest horizontal diameter (3.66 mm), and the smallest (1.6 mm) were C3-C6. In addition, accessory foramen transversariums were typified. One foramen arcuate was also detected during the examinations. As a result, osteometric measurements of the accessory foramen transversarium were revealed. We think that these data will be an important reference in head and neck surgery, in the clinical approach of a. vertebralis, and in the evaluations of radiologists in the neck region

Kızıl tilkilerde (vulpes vulpes) testis, penis ve prostat’ın arteriyel vaskülarizasyonu, makroanatomik ve histolojik yapısı

The aim of this study was to examine arterial vascularization and the macroanatomic and histological structures of the testis, penis, and prostate gland in the red fox. Five male red foxes were provided by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center of Kafkas University, Turkey. The arteries supplying the prostate, penis, and testes in the animals were exposed by dissection, the mean length, width, and weight of these organs were measured. After the anatomical features of the testis, penis, and prostate were assessed, tissue samples of each blocked in paraffin then handling standard histological procedures. The internal iliac artery was divided into two branches the caudal gluteal artery, which is the thicker branch and leads dorsally, and the internal pudendal artery, which is the thinner branch and leads ventrally. The testicular artery is asymmetrically separated from both sides of the abdominal aorta at the 5th lumbar vertebra, passes through the spermatic canal, and ends in the testes. It is thought that the findings of this study will contribute information to the literature on artificial insemination, castration, prostate, and urolithiasis surgeries on carnivores.Bu çalışmanın amacı kızıl tilkilerde testis, penis ve prostat’ın arteriyel vaskularizasyonu, makroanatomik ve histolojik yapısını incelemektir. Kafkas Üniversitesi Yaban Hayatı Koruma ve Kurtarma Merkezi’nden 5 adet erkek kızıl tilki temin edildi. Testis, penis ve prostat’ı besleyen arterler diseke edildi. Bu organların ortalama uzunluğu, genişliği, ağırlığı ölçüldü. Testis, penis ve prostat’ın anatomik özellikleri değerlendirildikten doku örneklerine standart histolojik prosedür uygulanarak parafinde bloklandı. İnternal iliac arter, daha kalın dorsal’e yönelen caudal gluteal arter ve daha ince ventral’e yönelen internal pudendal arter olarak ikiye ayrılıyordu. A. testicularis’ler L5 hizasında abdominal aorta’nın iki tarafından asimetrik olarak ayrılıyordu. Spermatik kanal boyunca seyredip testislerde sonlanıyordu. Sunulan çalışmanın bulgularının kızıl tilkiler ve carnivorlarda yapılacak olan suni tohumlama, kastrasyon, prostat ve ürolithiasis operasyonlarına katkıda bulunacağına inanmaktayız

Predictive factor for lymph node metastasis in non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive factors of lymph node involvement in non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas (nmCRC). Methods: A total of 453 patients diagnosed with nmCRC were analyzed regarding T stage, lymphovascular invasion status, tumor grade and proposed risk score (RS), determined by the combination of these three factors for lymph node metastasis. Results: The median age was 62 (25-90 years), M/F ratio was 1.4:1 and majority of the patients had tumors localized on the left colon (70.6%). The number of excised lymph nodes was ≥12 in 77% of the cases. The postoperative pathological assessments revealed that 57.2% of patie,nts had N0 disease, 29.1% had N1 disease, and 13.7% had N2 disease. The T stages (p=0.007), grade (p<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.002), RS (p<0.001), and number of excised lymph nodes (p=0.029) were significantly different between N0, N1, and N2 patients. Higher RS was associated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). Conclusion: The risk score may predict lymph node metastasis in patients with nmCRC and if validated may be helpful in the decision-making of adjuvant chemotherapy, especially in the elderly and patients with inadequate lymph node dissection

Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir plus Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir +/- Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population.Material and Methods: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)+/- ribavirin (RBV) ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir (PrOD)+/- RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, factors affecting SVR, safety profile, and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) occurrence were analyzed.Results: SVR12 was achieved in 92.8% of the patients (4,040/4,352) according to intention-to-treat and in 98.3% of the patients (4,040/4,108) according to per-protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were similar between the treatment regimens (97.2%-100%) and genotypes (95.6%-100%). Patients achieving SVR showed a significant decrease in the mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (50.90 +/- 54.60 U/L to 17.00 +/- 14.50 U/L) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (7.51 +/- 4.54 to 7.32 +/- 3.40) (p<0.05). Of the patients, 2 were diagnosed with HCC during the treatment and 14 were diagnosed with HCC 37.0 +/- 16.0 weeks post-treatment. Higher initial MELD score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.38; p=0.023]), higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28; p=0.038), and higher serum ALT levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83; p=0.042) were associated with poor SVR12. The most common adverse events were fatigue (12.6%), pruritis (7.3%), increased serum ALT (4.7%) and bilirubin (3.8%) levels, and anemia (3.1%).Conclusion: LDV/SOF or PrOD +/- RBV were effective and tolerable treatments for patients with CHC and with or without advanced liver disease before and after liver transplantation. Although HCV eradication improves the liver function, there is a risk of developing HCC.Turkish Association for the Study of The Liver (TASL

Dry wear properties of A356-SiC particle reinforced MMCs produced by two melting routes

SiC particle reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) were produced by a common liquid phase technique in two melting routes. In the first route, 5, 10, 15 and 20 vol% SiC reinforced A356-based MMCs were produced. In the second route, an Alcan A356 + 20 vol% SiC composite was diluted to obtain 5, 10, 15 and 20 vol% SiC MMCs. In both cases the average particle size was 12 mu m. The composites that produced by two different routes were aimed to compare the dry wear resistance properties. A dry ball-on disk wear test was carried out for both groups of MMCs and their matrix materials. The tests were performed against a WC ball, 4.6 mm in diameter, at room temperature and in laboratory air conditions with a relative humidity of 40-60%. Sliding speed was chosen as 0.4 m/s and normal loads of 1, 2, 3 and 5 N were employed. The sliding distance was kept at 1000 in. The wear damage on the specimens was evaluated via measurement of wear depth and diameter. A complete wear microstructural characterization was carried out via scanning electron microscopy. The wear behaviors were recorded nearly similar for both groups of composites. Diluted samples showed lower friction coefficient values compared with the friction coefficient values of the vortex-produced composites. This was attributed poor bonding between matrix and particles in the vortex-produced composites associated with high porosities. But, in general, diluted Alcan composites showed slightly lower wear rate relationship with the particle volume percent and applied load when compared with vortex produced materials. (C) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Comparative macro-anatomical ınvestigations and morphometric ınvestigations on neurocranium in guinea fowls (numida meleagridis) and turkeys (meleagridis gallapova)

İlgün, Ramazan (Aksaray, Yazar)Bu araştırmada Phasinidae familyasının Numidinae alt familyasında yer alan beç tavuğu ve hindinin neurocranium kemiklerinin karşılaştırmalı olarak incelenerek önemli farklılıkların ortaya konulması amaçlandı. Cinsiyet gözetmeksizin 5 adet beç tavuğu ve 5 adet hindi kullanıldı. Neurocranium’un; os occipitale, os sphenoidale, ossa parietalia, ossa frontalia ve ossa temporalia’dan oluştuğu gözlendi. Beç tavuğunda fontanella düz olarak, hindide kabarık olarak yer aldığı tespit edildi. Sadece neurocranium kemiklerinin oluşturduğu kafatası ağırlığı hindilerde daha fazla olduğu ve istatiksel açıdan P<0.01 düzeylerinde önemli olduğu gözlendi. Os parietale’nin beç tavuğunda caudal’de, hindilerde dorsal’de olduğu gözlendi. Beç tavuğunda ossa frontalia, dar ve ortasında miğfer şeklinde ibiğin oluşumuna katılan caudodorsal yönde boynuz çıkıntısı yer almaktayken, hindilerde geniş ve çıkıntı bulunmamaktaydı. Sonuç olarak; aynı familyada yer alan beç tavuğu ve hindi neurocranium’u oluşturan kemikler arasında önemli farklılıklar tespit edildi.In this study, neurocranial bones of guinea fowl and turkey in Numidinae subfamilies of Phasinida family was investigated comparatively to reveal significant differences. Five guinea fowls and 5 turkeys were used regardless of their gender. The neurocranium consisted of the occipital, sphenoid, parietal, frontal and temporal bones. The fontanella was located smooth in the guinea fowl, while convex in the turkey. Weight of neurocranium bones only in turkey was heavier than that of guinea fowl and significant (P<0.01). It was observed that the parietal bone of the guinea fowl was located to be flat caudal, turkey was located to be flat dorsal. Frontal bones were narrow and in the middle of it caudo-dorsal horn protrusion located the helmet shape in participating in the formation of comb in the guinea fowl, while broad and there was no protrusion in the turkey. As a result, located in the same family of guinea fowl and turkey, it was determined that there were significant differences between the bones forming the neurocranium

Comparison of the mechanical properties of A356-SiC particle-reinforced metal matrix composites produced by two melting routes

SiC particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) were produced by a common liquid-phase technique in two different melting routes. in the first route, 5, 10, 15 and 20 vol% SiC-reinforced A356-based MMCs were produced. In the second route, an Alcan A356 + 20 vol% SiC composite billet was diluted to obtain 5, 10, 15 and 20 vol% SiC-reinforced MMCs. In both cases the average particle size was 12 mum. The microstructural and mechanical property relationships of these composites were investigated. Vortex-produced MMCs showed a fairly good particle distribution accompanied by approximately 5-8 vol% porosity. Diluted Alcan composites produced excellent particle distribution and finer eutectic silicon crystals. Compressive and tensile properties were compared between vortex-produced and diluted composites. The results showed that diluted MMCs showed better properties compared with composites produced by the vortex method. Both composite groups were subjected to a T6 ageing heat treatment. The rate of increase in the yield, and tensile and compressive strength values were always higher in the as-east materials than in T6 heat-treated composites with increasing SiC particle content. This difference was attributed to accelerated nucleation of precipitation and, therefore, overageing caused by ceramic particles. SEM investigations on the fracture surfaces showed that good particle bonding existed in the diluted composites

Tanycytic ependymoma of the spinal cord: Case report

Tanycytic ependymoma is a rare fibrillary variant of ependymoma with preferentially located along the length of spinal cord. This report documents a 41-year-old woman underwent surgical treatment for a cervical intramedullary tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging showed intramedullary cystic lesion, in the cervical spine. Histologically the tumor was consisted of markedly elongated spindle-shaped cells, which were immunopositive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and EMA. Although only a few in number, detection of ependymal rosettes led the diagnosis as a tanycytic ependymoma. Since a complete resection was performed at surgery, no further treatment was proposed. It is important for both management and prognosis, to distinguish pathologically tanycytic ependymoma from pilocytic astrocytoma and schwannoma

Experimental investigation of effects of platelet-rich plasma on early phases of orthodontic tooth movement

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on orthodontic tooth movement in rats. Methods: We divided 48 Wistar male albino rats into 3 groups: control group, platelet-rich plasma group, and platelet-poor plasma group. The rats in all study groups had orthodontic tooth movement of their maxillary right first molars. Either platelet-rich plasma or platelet-poor plasma was injected into the animals in the platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma groups, respectively; the rats in the control group had no injection. Distances between the maxillary molar and incisor were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14. Active osteoblast numbers in tension sites and osteoclast numbers in compression sites were examined histologically. Immunohistochemical evaluations of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expressions were also performed. Results: The rats in the platelet-rich plasma group showed less tooth movement than those in the control group at day 3. At day 14, maximum tooth movement was observed in all groups. However, there was no statistical significance among the groups at day 14. In terms of osteoclast and osteoblast cells, no significant differences were observed in any group or at any time. Also, there were no significant differences in TRAP, ALP, and TGF-beta expressions in the groups. Conclusion: The application of platelet-rich plasma was not beneficial as an adjunct to orthodontic treatment