Modelling and Optimisation of UHF band EW Based WTA Problem within the Scope of Threat Assessment

The classical weapon target allocation (WTA) problem has been evaluated within the scope of electronic warfare (EW) threat assessment with an electromagnetic effect-based jammer- tactical radio engagement approach. As different from the literature, optimum allocation of non-directional jammers operating at different operating UHF frequencies under constraints to RF emitters is aimed in this study. The values of the targets are modelled using an original threat assessment algorithm developed that takes into account operating frequencies, jamming distance, and weather conditions. The computed jammer-target effect matrix has been solved under different scenarios according to the efficiency and cost constraints. It is seen at the end of the simulations that the allocation results for EW applications largely depend on the effect ratio used. The better results are taken in the case of under 0.5 effect ratio. Finally, jammer-radio allocation problem specified at the suggested model is solved successfully and effectively

Short- and long-term results of harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy versus stapler hemorrhoidopexy in treatment of hemorrhoidal disease

SummaryPurposeIn this prospective randomized study, our aim is to compare the short- and long-term results of harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy (HSH) and stapler hemorrhoidopexy (SH) methods in the surgical treatment of Grade III and Grade IV hemorrhoidal disease.MethodsNinety-nine consecutive patients diagnosed with Grade III or Grade IV internal hemorrhoidal disease were included in the study. Patients were randomized to HSH (n = 48) or SH (n = 51) treatments. Data on patient demographic and clinical characteristics, operative details, postoperative pain score on a visual analog scale, additional analgesic requirement, postoperative short- and long-term complications, and recurrence of hemorrhoidal disease were also recorded. Patients were regularly followed for a total period of 24 (6–36) months.ResultsThe patient demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the two groups. The operative time was significantly shorter in the HSH group compared with the SH group. Overall pain scores were not significantly different between the groups, although severe pain was significantly more common in the HSH group. Recurrence was significantly lower in the HSH group compared with the SH group.ConclusionHSH and SH are both safe and effective methods for surgical treatment of Grade III and Grade IV hemorrhoidal disease. In our study, the HSH method was determined to be safer, easier, and faster to perform, and associated with fewer long-term recurrences than the SH method

Mitral valve repair in a patient with Ter Haar Syndrome

Ter Haar Syndrome is one of the most deteriorating disorders defined in the medical era. Up to date only ten patients were reported. We present a living patient with Ter Haar Syndrome who has undergone successful mitral valve repair

Has the clinical definition of thromboangiitis obliterans changed indeed?

Between 1975 and 1992 2468 patients (94.5% male, 5.5% female) have been treated for thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). Mean age was 43 ± 10 years (range 23-80 years) at the time of diagnosis. Whereas only 8% of patients were older than 40 years of age in 1975, this figure has increased to 44% in 1992; 25% of male and 64% of female cases were older than 40 years of age. At the time of admission, 78.2% had rest pain, 58% had intermittent claudication, 17.6% had superficial thrombophlebitis, 10.5% had Raynaud's phenomenon, and 68.9% had ischemic ulcers. The study period has been divided into early (1975-1983) and late periods (1984-1992). In the late period, we have noted an increase in the upper extremity involvement rate (47.5%) and an increase in large artery involvement rate of the leg (40.1%). In both periods, the majority (58%) of the patients with large artery involvement were older than 40 years of age. Sympathectomy, amputation, revascularization, and medical therapy were proven to be mostly ineffective. Of the patients who stopped smoking, 5.7% had subsequent amputations whereas 46% of patients that continued to smoke had single/multiple amputations. We have demonstrated that TAO is no longer a sole pathology of the small/medium-sized arteries affecting young male smokers' lower extremities

Short- and long-term results of harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy versus stapler hemorrhoidopexy in treatment of hemorrhoidal disease

In this prospective randomized study, our aim is to compare the short- and long-term results of harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy (HSH) and stapler hemorrhoidopexy (SH) methods in the surgical treatment of Grade III and Grade IV hemorrhoidal disease. Ninety-nine consecutive patients diagnosed with Grade III or Grade IV internal hemorrhoidal disease were included in the study. Patients were randomized to HSH (n = 48) or SH (n = 51) treatments. Data on patient demographic and clinical characteristics, operative details, postoperative pain score on a visual analog scale, additional analgesic requirement, postoperative short- and long-term complications, and recurrence of hemorrhoidal disease were also recorded. Patients were regularly followed for a total period of 24 (6–36) months. The patient demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the two groups. The operative time was significantly shorter in the HSH group compared with the SH group. Overall pain scores were not significantly different between the groups, although severe pain was significantly more common in the HSH group. Recurrence was significantly lower in the HSH group compared with the SH group. HSH and SH are both safe and effective methods for surgical treatment of Grade III and Grade IV hemorrhoidal disease. In our study, the HSH method was determined to be safer, easier, and faster to perform, and associated with fewer long-term recurrences than the SH method

Influence of Methylprednisolone on Levels of Neuron-Specific Enolase in Cardiac Surgery: A Corticosteroid Derivative to Decrease Possible Neuronal Damage

P>Background: Cerebral injury is a well-known complication after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), especially in adult patients. Specific biochemical markers like neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100 beta protein were developed previously for early detecting neuronal damage after CPB. Corticosteroids are shown to reduce multisystemic deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass due to their anti-inflammatory characteristics. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the decrease of serum neuron-specific enolase levels in patients who received corticosteroids before CPB. Methods: Thirty patients scheduled for elective coronary bypass surgery were included in the study. Patients were divided randomly into two groups as the control group (n = 15) who underwent a standard coronary bypass surgery without any additional medication and the study group (n = 15) who received 1 gm of methylprednisolone before CPB. Blood samples for analysis of serum NSE, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-10 were drawn before CPB, 4 and 24 hours after the end of extracorporeal circulation. Results: Serum cytokine and NSE levels were significantly increased after CPB above their normal range in both groups. In the study group, IL-6 and NSE levels were significantly reduced while IL-10 levels were much higher after CPB. High NSE levels significantly correlated with IL-6 levels in the control group. Conclusion: The lower levels of NSE in patients who received methylprednisolone may suggest that corticosteroids might be useful in decreasing possible neuronal damage during heart surgery. However, we were not able to demonstrate an adverse neurological outcome

Over 14 years of experience with cardiac myxomas

Atrial myxomas are the most commonly encountered tumours of the heart and can present at different ages with different clinical symptoms. They are one of the curable tumours of the heart. Appropriate surgical treatment and surgery must be performed with great precautions in order to prevent fatal systemic embolizations. In this retrospective study we will present our experience of 14 years, between 1990 and 2004, in 27 patients who had been operated for cardiac myxomas. Diagnosis of the myxomas were made by echocardiography in all cases. Surgical approach to the tumour was biatrial in nine, left atrial in 11, and transseptal in seven patients. Associated procedures included coronary artery bypass grafting in one, mitral valve repair with tricuspid annuloplasty in two patients, mitral valve replacement in one and bilateral femoral embolectomy in one patient. One hospital mortality occurred as a result of multiorgan failure in a patient with peripheral embolization. None of the patients required recurrent operation, however, mitral valve insufficiency was surgically corrected in one patient