Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography/computed tomography in pulmonary nodules : a prospective study

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are the mainstay imaging methods in the evaluation and follow-up of pulmonary nodules. But they both have high radiation risk for patients. Diffusionweighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI), on the other hand, is a radiation free imaging method that gives information about the biological structure of tissues at the molecular level by measuring random movement of water in biological tissues. In this prospective study we aimed to compare the computed tomography characteristics of the nodules in terms of malignancy and to compare the accuracy of DW-MRI and PET/CT results in those patients. Material and methods: Seventy-six patients suspicious for lung cancer on thorax CT imaging were prospectively further evaluated by thorax diffusion-weighted imaging and PET/CT. Pulmonary lesion characteristics, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and maximum standardised uptake values (SUVmax) were compared with histopathological results. Results: There was statistically significant moderate negative correlation between PET-SUVmax and ADC values of lung lesions. ADC values below the cut-off was 97.1%, specificity was 97.6%, positive predictive value was 97.1%, and the negative predictive value was 97.6%. Conclusions: DAG-MRI and PET/CT have similar success in the differentiation of benign and malignant lung lesions

Magnetic resonance imaging of the quadriceps fat pad oedema pattern in relation to patellofemoral joint pathologies

Purpose: Quadriceps fat pad is located posterior to the quadriceps tendon. Increased signal intensity of this fat pad is seen on routine knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, but the exact mechanism and related pathologies are not clear. In this study we aimed to evaluate the relationship between MRI signal intensity and morphological features of quadriceps fat pad, as well as various pathologies of the patellofemoral joint. Material and methods: Sixty-one knees with quadriceps fat pad oedema out of 457 knee MRI examinations were included. Quadriceps fat pad signal intensity, dimensions, posterior indentation, and various parameters related to patellofemoral joint such as trochlear facet asymmetry, trochlear depth and sulcus angle, and the Insall-Salvati ratio were evaluated. Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between quadriceps fat pad oedema intensity and its dimensions, but it was significant when compared to posterior indentation. There was no correlation between fat pad oedema and each of the pathologies. However, there was a significant correlation between the presence of fat pad oedema and the presence of at least one of the pathologies related to patellofemoral joint. Conclusions: Quadriceps fat pad oedema detected in MRI examinations should warn the radiologist against the presence of various pathologies related to the patellofemoral joint

Kronik yaygın ağrılı kadınlarda ağrı ve yorgunluğu etkileyen faktörler

Amaç: Bu çalışma Kronik Yaygın Ağrı’lı (KYA) kadınlarda ağrı şiddeti ve genel yorgunlukla ilişkili faktörleri incelemek amacıyla yapıldı. Gereç ve yöntem: KYA’lı 104 hasta dahil edildi. Yaş ortalaması 40.28±10.82 yıldı. Hem ağrı şiddeti hem de genel yorgunluk görsel analog skalası kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Hastane Anksiyete ve Depresyon Ölçeği anksiyete ve depresyon bulgularını tanımlamak için kullanıldı. Üç farklı anket (boş zaman aktivitesi, iş ve evde fiziksel aktivite) fiziksel aktivite düzeylerini tanımlamak için kullanıldı. Sonuçlar: Anksiyete skoru ağrı eşiğini etkileyen en yaygın faktördü (p=0.003). Diğer taraftan, orta düzeydeki evdeki fiziksel aktivite (p=0.027), işteki fiziksel aktivite (p=0.008) ve anksiyete skoru (p=0.027) genel yorgunluğu etkileyen anlamlı faktörlerdi. Tartışma: Sonuçlarımız anksiyetenin KYA’lı kadınlarda ağrı ve genel yorgunluğu etkileyen en önemli faktör olduğunu göstermiştir. Bu sonuçlar ağrı, yorgunluk ve anksiyete özelliklerinin ayrıca değerlendirilmesinin gerekli olduğu düşüncesini desteklemektedir.Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate factors related to pain intensity and global fatigue in females with Chronic Widespread Pain (CWP). Material and methods: One hundred four patients with CWP were included. The mean age was 40.28±10.82 years. Both Pain intensity and global fatigue were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to describe anxiety and depression symptoms. Three different questionnaires (leisure time activity, and physical activity at home, at work) were used to determine physical activity levels. Dorsal regression was used to analyze the data. Results: The anxiety score was the most common factor affecting pain intensity (p=0.003). On the other hand, a moderate level of physical activity at home (p=0.027), physical activity level at work (p=0.008), and the anxiety score (p=0.027) were significant factors affecting global fatigue. Conclusion: Our results show that anxiety is the most important factor affecting both pain and global fatigue in women with CWP. These results also support the idea that the characteristics of pain, fatigue and anxiety should be evaluated separately

Dynamic Weighing Method with Time-variant IIR Low-pass Filter

Sanayide üretimden sevkiyat aşamasına kadar birçok alanda kullanılan otomatik ağırlık kontrol sistemi, üç adet konveyör bant, en az iki adet fotosel, yük hücresi, işlemci, kullanıcı için kontrol ekranı ve reddedici/yönlendirici kollarından oluşmaktadır. Ağırlık ölçerken, yük hücresi tarafından alınan ölçüm sinyalinin filtrelenmesi aşamasında literatürde kaskat yapıda zamanla değişen alçak geçiren filtrenin önemli bir yeri olduğu gözlemlenmiş ancak sonuca ulaşma konusunda oldukça fazla filtre adedinin mevcut olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Sonuçlara ulaşma aşamasının hızlandırılması amacıyla bu çalışmada zamanla değişen alçak geçiren filtre ile farklı bir yaklaşım denenmiştir. Sonuca daha hızlı ulaşabilmek için kaskat bağlı alçak geçiren filtre adedi önem arz etmektedir. Filtre adım adım uygulanarak oluşan salınımlardan ürünün ağırlığına minimum filtre adedi ile ulaşmak hedeflenmiştir. Matlab'ta yapılan deneyler sonucunda çok yüksek hızlarda bu işlemle yönetmelikte belirtilen hata limitleri içerisinde sonuçların elde edilemediği görülmüş olup hata limitleri içerisinde elde edilen maksimum hız belirtilmiştir. Sonuç olarak filtre adedi azaltılıp, sönümleme hızlandırılarak oluşan salınımlardan ağırlık verisine yönetmelikte verilen hata sınırları içerisinde ulaşılmıştır.The automatic weight control system, in other words checkweigher is used in many areas from production to shipment in the industry, consists of three conveyor belts, at least two photocells, load cell, processor, control screen for the user and rejector/router arms. It has been observed in the literature that the time-varying low-pass filter in the cascade structure plays an important role in the filtering of the measurement signal received by the load cell while reaching the product mass, but it has been observed that quite a lot of filters are used to reach the result. In this study, a different approach was tried with a time-variant low-pass filter in order to accelerate of reaching the results. The number of cascade form low-pass filter used in filtering is important to get the accurate weight. By applying the filter step by step, it is aimed to reach the mass of the products from the oscillations with minimum number of filters. As a result of the experiments carried out in MATLAB, it was observed that the results could not be obtained within the error limits specified in the regulation with this process at very high speeds. The maximum speed obtained within the error limits was specified. As a result, by reducing the number of filters and increasing the damping, the mass of product from the oscillations were reached faster within the error limits given in the regulation

Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes are Independent Risk Factors for Computed Tomography-Estimated Nonalcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease

OBJECTIVES: Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) is characterized by excessive fat deposition in the pancreas in the absence of alcohol consumption. In this study, we aimed to detect a possible relationship between adipose tissue accumulation, prediabetes and diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional and retrospective study included 110 patients. Three groups were classified as controls, patients with prediabetes and patients with type 2 diabetes. The abdominal computed tomography (CT) attenuation measurement results of the pancreas were evaluated independently by two experienced radiologists. CT measurements and biochemical parameters were compared between study groups. The relationship between continuous variables was assessed by using one-way ANOVA. To determine the changes in the dependent variable for the effects on study groups, the independent variable was adjusted using ANCOVA. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The presence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes was correlated with a decrease in the mean Hounsfield Unit (HU) value of the pancreas (p=0.002). Age was determined to be an independent risk factor and was correlated with NAFPD (p=0.0001). When compared to the controls (p=0.041), 71% of patients with prediabetes and 67% of patients with type 2 diabetes were observed to have an increased incidence of NAFPD. Decreased serum amylase was found to be correlated with the mean HU value of the pancreas (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: NAFPD was independently correlated with both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes adjusted for age (p=0.0001) in this study. Additionally, age was determined to be an independent risk factor and was correlated with NAFPD

Arthrotomy and Washing Procedure for Neonatal Bacterial Arthritis in a Series of Cases

Septic arthritis is a rare health issue during neonatal period. It should be remembered that the treatment of this disease can lead to serious problems in the long term when it is late. In this series of cases, we presented arthrotomy and washing procedures in three neonatal patients with septic arthritis. We evaluated the pros and cons of the procedure and we compared it to non-surgical treatment methods. We have concluded that the washing procedure can be more effective than non-surgical methods

The impact of chronic low back pain on physical performance, fear avoidance beliefs, and depressive symptoms: A comparative study on Turkish elderly population

Objectives: The purposes of this study were: (1) to show the impact of chronic low back pain (CLBP) on physical performance, fear avoidance behavior and depressive symptoms in older adults; (2) to describe the relationships between outcome measurements obtained in this study. Methodology: Ninety-one participants with or without chronic low back pain were included in this study. Only four tests in the Back Performance Scale were used to assess the physical performance of the participants. A Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire related to physical activity and the Geriatric Depression Scale were also used to examine each subject. Results: The level of performance shown by elderly adults with low back pain was worse than elders without low back pain in the sock test and the pick-up test (p < 0.05). Little correlation between the finger-to-floor test and fear avoidance behaviour related to physical activity was found (p < 0.05). There was little/poor correlation between all performance tests and depressive symptoms (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicate that CLBP decreases physical performance, but increases fear avoidance behavior and depressive symptoms in elderly adults. At the same time, it was determined that performance level of elderly adults with back pain was related especially with depressive symptoms

The relationship between social support and spousal support perceived by women in the postpartum period and readiness for discharge

Abstract Aim: The study was conducted to determine the relationship between puerperal hospital readiness for discharge and social and spousal support. Materials and Methods:The descriptive and relationship-seeking study was conducted with 388 women hospitalized in the maternity ward of a public hospital. Personal Information Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Spouse Support Scale Perceived by Women in Early Postpartum Period (SSSPWEPP) and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale–New Mother Form (RHD-NMF) were used to collect the data. Results:The average score of postpartum women from RHD-NMF was 171.41±28.55 with 89.9% of them to be ready for discharge. There was a weak positive correlation between total scores from RHD-NMF and MSPSS and its sub-dimensions (family, friends) (r=.164, r=.177, r=.156, respectively; p&lt;0.01); whilst there was a weak positive correlation between total scores from RHD-NMF and SSSPWEPP and its sub-dimensions (emotional, physical, social) (r=.249, r=.199, r=.194, r=.232, respectively;p&lt;0.01). Conclusion and Suggestions:The study found that most of the postpartum women were ready for discharge. There was a positive correlation between preparedness for discharge and social and family support and support from friends in the puerperium period; also, more physical, emotional and social support from the spouse translated into more readiness for discharge from the hospital. In addition, it was found that the most important variablee affecting readiness for discharge from the hospital was the support of friends and physical support of the spouse

Clinical results of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy

Objective: To review our results of carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: We evaluated the medical records of patients undergoing carotid artery revascularization procedure, between 2001 and 2013 in Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Carotid artery stenting or CEA procedures were performed in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (=70%) or symptomatic stenosis (=50%). Demographic data, procedural details, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Primary outcome measures were in 30-day stroke/transient ischemic attacks (TIA)/amaurosis fugax or death. Secondary outcome measures were nerve injury, bleeding complications, length of stay in hospital, stroke, restenosis (ICA patency), and all-cause death during long-term follow-up. Results: One hundred ninety-four CEA and 115 CAS procedures were performed for symptomatic and/or asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. There is no significant differences 30-day mortality and neurologic morbidity between CAS (13%) and CEA procedures (7.7%). Length of stay in hospital were significantly longer in CEA group (p=0.001). In the post-procedural follow up, only in symptomatic patients, restenosis rate was higher in the CEA group (p=.045). The other endpoints did not differ significantly. Conclusions: Endovascular stent treatment of carotid artery atherosclerotic disease is an alternative for vascular surgery, especially for patients that are high risk for standard CEA. The increasing experience, development of cerebral protection systems and new treatment protocols increases CAS feasibility

Comparison of the Accuracy of Manual and Digital Cephalometric Prediction Methods in Orthognathic Surgical Planning: A Pilot Study

Objective:To compare and evaluate the reliability of manual and digital cephalometric prediction methods in orthognathic surgical planningMethods:Ten adults (5 females and 5 males) with skeletal class III malocclusion were included. The mean patient age was 21.97 years. Pre- to postoperative changes were evaluated using paired t-test. Manual surgical predictions made by tracing on acetate paper and digital predictions made using computer software were compared with actual postoperative values using intraclass correlation coefficient and root mean square.Results:Statistically significant changes were observed in SNA, SNB, ANB, U1i-FH, and Nperp-A following bimaxillary orthognathic surgery (p<0.001). Postoperative changes in Co-A and Nperp-Pg were statistically significant (p<0.05). Comparison of manual and digital surgical predictions with actual postoperative values revealed that overbite and overjet showed the lowest agreements. Manual predictions were less accurate for points that were difficult to distinguish (Co and U6). Skeletal predictions were more accurate than dental predictions.Conclusion:Parameters with low reproducibility (Co and U6) decrease the reliability of predictions. Dental predictions were inaccurate in both methods due to the effects of intermaxillary elastics, but both methods yielded similar predictions for skeletal parameters. The impact of applying strong elastics for postoperative intermaxillary fixation should be considered when making surgical predictions