MyoPS A Benchmark of Myocardial Pathology Segmentation Combining Three-Sequence Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Images

Assessment of myocardial viability is essential in diagnosis and treatment management of patients suffering from myocardial infarction, and classification of pathology on myocardium is the key to this assessment. This work defines a new task of medical image analysis, i.e., to perform myocardial pathology segmentation (MyoPS) combining three-sequence cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images, which was first proposed in the MyoPS challenge, in conjunction with MICCAI 2020. The challenge provided 45 paired and pre-aligned CMR images, allowing algorithms to combine the complementary information from the three CMR sequences for pathology segmentation. In this article, we provide details of the challenge, survey the works from fifteen participants and interpret their methods according to five aspects, i.e., preprocessing, data augmentation, learning strategy, model architecture and post-processing. In addition, we analyze the results with respect to different factors, in order to examine the key obstacles and explore potential of solutions, as well as to provide a benchmark for future research. We conclude that while promising results have been reported, the research is still in the early stage, and more in-depth exploration is needed before a successful application to the clinics. Note that MyoPS data and evaluation tool continue to be publicly available upon registration via its homepage (www.sdspeople.fudan.edu.cn/zhuangxiahai/0/myops20/)

Investigation of genetic structure of various cat breeds by using D-Loop polimorphism in Turkey.

Amaç: Bu çalışmada Van kedileri ile diğer bazı kedi ırklarındaki mitokondrial DNA (mtDNA) polimorfizmi ortaya koyulmuş, Van kedilerinde elde edilen mtDNA analiz sonuçları ile göz renkleri arasında filogenetik bir ilişkinin varlığı değerlendirilmiştir.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışılan 65 adet kan örneğinde bölgenin polimorfik olması, literatür bilginin yetersizliği ve farklı yöntemler kullanılması neticesinde örnek sonuçlarından sağlıklı bilgi alınamadığı için çalışmada 39 adet kedinin (25 Van kedisi, 3 İran kedisi, 3 Tekir kedisi, 7 Siyam kedisi ve 1 Ankara kedisi) analiz sonuçları sunuldu. Bazı yayınlardan aldığımız ve kendi dizayn ettiğimiz 15 primer denenmiş, 6 iyi çalışan primer ile çalışma tamamlanmıştır. Polimeraz Zincir Reaksiyonu ürünleri (PZR) CEQ-8000 Beckman Coulter Genetik Analiz Sistemi kullanılarak kapiller elektroforez ile ayrıştırılmış sekans dizilimleri belirlenmiştir.Bulgular: Van Kedilerinin her biri kendi grubu içerisinde tek gözlülük/çift gözlülük durumlarına göre gruplar arasında istatistiki fark (P0.022) tespit edildi. Elde edilen bu dizi analiz verilerine bakılarak Van kedilerinde %80.00 oranıyla tek gözlülük söylenebilir. MtDNA dizi analizinden seçilen 99 bç lik dar bir bölge değerlendirildi ve az sayıda örneğe rağmen elde edilen istatistiki fark değerlendirildi.Yılmaz Sahin E, Altunok V, Kurar E. Investigation of genetic structure of various cat breeds by using D-Loop polimorphism in Turkey. Aim: In this study, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism between the Van cats and the other cat breeds is revealed. It is evaluated whether there is any relationship between the result of the mtDNA analyses obtained from Van cats and eye colours.Materials and Methods: Although it is studied with 65 blood samples and different methods, polymorphic of the place and inadequate information of literature lead to unreliable sample results. For this reason, 39 analyses of cats (25 Van cats, 3 Iran cats 3 Tekir cats, 7 siyam cats and 1 Ankara cat) are presented. 15 primers which is designed by ourselves and gained by some publication are experimented. The study is completed with 6 good working primers. The products of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) CEQ-8000 are determined by using the System of Genetic Analysis of Beckman Coulter and sequence of sequences resoluted with capillary electrophoresis are determined.Results: Each of every Van cats were evaluated in their groups according to one eye or double eye and statistical differentiation was found (P>0.022) between groups. By looking at the data of analysis, one eye at the rate of 80.00% can be said in Van cats. In this study, the selection of 99 bç, a narrow location obtained from mtDNA sequence analysis is evaluated and in spite of a small number of samples the acquired statistical difference is significant.Conclusion: We found significant differences in this study. This should be study with more samples and a large mtDNA D-Loop region

Enamel wear against monolithic zirconia restorations: A meta-analysis and systematic review of in vitro studies

Objective An assessment was performed to identify and evaluate dental enamel wear caused by monolithic zirconia restoration. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Evidence, and the Cochrane Library up to May 2020. Material and methods Studies were selected for systematic review according to the inclusion (articles conducted on the wear of enamel samples opposing monolithic zirconia) and exclusion (case reports, non-English articles, and monolithic zirconia samples facing other materials rather than human enamel) criteria. Of those, articles on polished and glazed monolithic zirconia subjected to a 50 N vertical load with a range of 240,000-250,000 cycles, equivalent to 1 year of in vivo mastication, were included in the meta-analysis. Results In total, 3968 articles were pooled. Twenty-five articles met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Three studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the enamel wear against monolithic zirconia was within the statistically accepted level. Moreover, the polished monolithic zirconia surface caused less enamel wear than the glazed surface. Conclusion This review indicates that monolithic zirconia restorations cause acceptable antagonist enamel wear. Moreover, the meta-analysis results agreed that the final restoration's surface texture plays an essential role in the wear process. Clinical significance Monolithic zirconia restorations have been widely used in dental practice because they eliminate the chipping problems resulting from using veneered restorations. With recent technology development, monolithic zirconia has obtained more esthetic features and a more natural look. However, due to the high strength and surface roughness of monolithic zirconia, wear on the antagonist's teeth was detected. The results showed that this wear amount was statistically acceptable and lower than other ceramics such as feldspathic porcelain and enamel. Furthermore, surface treatment methods must be applied to minimize tooth wear, as polished or glazed surfaces interfere with enamel loss

Zonguldak İlinde Üniversite Hastanesine Başvuran Gebelerde HBsAg, Anti-HBs ve Anti-HCV Seropozitiflik Oranları

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi, kadın Hastalıkları ve Doğum kliniğine başvuran gebelerde HBV ve HCV seroprevalans oranlarının araştırılması ve elde edilen oranların ülkemizin farklı yerlerindeki oranlarla karşılaştırılarak ülkemiz verilerine katkı sağlanması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bülent Ecevit Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi kadın Hastalıkları Doğum kliniğine Ocak 2012-Ocak 2014 tarihleri arasında başvuran 1800 gebenin HBsAg, anti-HBs ve anti-HCV seropozitiflik oranları retrosektif olarak incelenmiştir. Verileri yeterli olan 1084 gebe çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Hastaların serumları kemilümünesans immünassay yöntemi ile üretici firmanın (Cobas e 411 Analyzer, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) önerilerine göre çalışılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA) paket programı kullanılarak istatiksel değerlendirilmesi yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmaya alınan 1084 gebenin yaş ortalaması 29,12±5,48 (min: 17, max: 46), ortalama gebelik haftası 10,7±4,64 idi. HBsAg pozitifliği %4 (n=43), anti-HBs %7,3 (n=79), anti-HCV %0,6 (n=7) oranında bulunmuştur. HBsAg pozitifliği 20 yaş altında %3,1, 21-30 yaş arası %3,7, 31-40 yaş arası %4,4, 40 yaş üstü ise %5,9 olarak saptandı. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak çalışmamızda HBsAg ve anti-HCV seroprevalansı ülkemizde yapılan diğer çalışmalarla benzer oranda bulunurken, anti- HBs pozitifliği ise bazı çalışmalar ile benzer sonuçlarda olsada, birçok çalışmaya göre düşük oranda saptanmıştır.Objective: To explore the HBV and HCV seroprevalence rates among pregnant women attending the Obstetric Outpatient Unit at the Medical Faculty of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University and to provide contributory data to the already existing data from the other geographical regions of Turkey. Materials and Methods: HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV seropositivity rates were retrospectively investigated among a total of 1084 pregnant women attending the Obstetric Outpatient Unit at the Medical Faculty of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University between January 2012 and January 2014 Serum assays were performed using a chemiluminescence immunoassay method according the manufacturer’s instructions (Cobas e 411 Analyzer, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Statistical analyses of the study data were performed using SPSS 18.0 software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA). Results: The mean age of the 1084 pregnant participants was 29.12±5.48 years (min: 17, max: 46 y) and the average gestational age was 10.7±4.64 weeks. HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV detection rates were 4% (n=43), 7.3% (n=79), and 0.6% (n=7), respectively. With regard to age groups, HBsAg was positive in 3.1%, 3.7%, 4.4%, and 5.9% of the women who were below 20 years of age, between 21 and 30 years of age, between 31 and 40 years of age, and over 40 years of age, respectively. Conclusion: While similar rates of seroprevalence for HBsAg and anti-HCV were found as compared to the previous reports from Turkey, anti-HBs positivity rates were lower than that in most of the previous reports

HBsAg, Anti-HBs and Anti-HCV Seropositivity Rates among Pregnant Women Attending a University Hospital in Zonguldak

Objective: To explore the HBV and HCV seroprevalence rates among pregnant women attending the Obstetric Outpatient Unit at the Medical Faculty of Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University and to provide contributory data to the already existing data from the other geographical regions of Turkey. Materials and Methods: HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV seropositivity rates were retrospectively investigated among a total of 1084 pregnant women attending the Obstetric Outpatient Unit at the Medical Faculty of Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University between January 2012 and January 2014 Serum assays were performed using a chemiluminescence immunoassay method according the manufacturer's instructions (Cobas e 411 Analyzer, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Statistical analyses of the study data were performed using SPSS 18.0 software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA). Results: The mean age of the 1084 pregnant participants was 29.12 +/- 5.48 years (min: 17, max: 46 y) and the average gestational age was 10.7 +/- 4.64 weeks. HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV detection rates were 4% (n= 43), 7.3% (n= 79), and 0.6% (n= 7), respectively. With regard to age groups, HBsAg was positive in 3.1%, 3.7%, 4.4%, and 5.9% of the women who were below 20 years of age, between 21 and 30 years of age, between 31 and 40 years of age, and over 40 years of age, respectively. Conclusion: While similar rates of seroprevalence for HBsAg and anti-HCV were found as compared to the previous reports from Turkey, anti-HBs positivity rates were lower than that in most of the previous reports

Plasmodium falciparum Malaria of Foreign-Origin in Kocaeli Province: Assessment of 16 Cases

WOS: 000389267200008Objective: This paper intends to underline that malaria should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis of patients with history of visiting endemic regions and of malaria prophylaxis for those intending to travel to these regions. Methods: 16 cases of P. falciparum malaria that were followed in the clinic between 2009 and 2015 were included in our study. Diagnosis was based on plasmodia seen under light microscope in thick and thin smears prepared from peripheral blood samples obtained from febrile patients and stained with Giemsa method. Results: Out of 16 patients, one was female and 15 were males. 14 of these patients, whose average age was 32 years, did not receive prophylaxis. Complaints of all patients were fever with chills, rigor, weakness, and anorexia; other accompanying complaints were headache, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cough and sore throat. Body temperatures over 38 degrees C were detected in all patients. 11 patients were treated with artemether-lumefantrin and 5 patients treated with combination of quinine and doxycycline. Ertapenem was added in the treatment of a patient due to Serratia marcescens isolation in his blood culture obtained during his febrile period. Acute hepatitis A as a co-infection was detected in a patient and he was followed with symptomatic treatment. Somnolence, bleeding, bilateral pleural effusion and pulmonary infiltrates were observed in two patients diagnosed as severe malaria. Conclusions: Malaria chemoprophylaxis for the people intending to travel endemic regions is crucial

The Effect of Different ApoE Genotypes and Other Risk Factors on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Formation

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disorder characterized by partial or complete narrowing of the pharyngeal airway during sleep. In this study it was aimed to investigate the relation between OSAS and different variants of the ApoE gene, and to identify other risk factors that may affect the development of the disease. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with OSAS and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled into the study. After collecting the necessary information associated with OSAS from the individuals, DNA was isolated from blood. ε2, ε3 and ε4 variants of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: When the groups were compared with each other, age, body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, neck circumference, waist circumference, apnea hypopnea index, Epworth sleepiness scale, smoking, and daytime sleepiness were found statistically significant. The ε2 variant was found statistically high in the control group. Also, waist circumference, triglyceride and LDL levels were found statistically low in individuals with the ε2 genotype. In addition, triglyceride levels were found statistically high in individuals with the ε4 genotype. Conclusion: The presence of the ε2 variant in healthy individuals may have a protective effect against OSAS. In addition, the relation between different variants of ApoE with LDL and triglyceride levels demonstrates the overlap of genotype and phenotype dat

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy may predict 30-day mortality in patients with COVID-19

Purpose: There is scarce data on the impact of the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy on the prognosis of coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to investigate whether its presence is associated with increased risk for 30-day mortality in a large group of patients with COVID-19