THE EFFECT OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING PROGRAM ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN BASKETBALL PLAYERS

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a plyometric training program on the physical performance of basketball players. 24 male basketball players between the ages of 18-36, who regularly practice basketball, participated in the study voluntarily. Participants were divided into two different groups as the experimental group (n=12, age: 26.50±4.58) and the control group (n=12, age: 22.32±0.90). A plyometric training program was applied to the experimental group 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Both participating groups continued their regular basketball training during the season. In addition to basketball training in the experimental group; Plyometric exercises known as Lateral jump, Box jump, Squat jump, Nordic hamstring curl, Overhead slam, Plyometric push-ups, and Medicine ball bench press were applied. Flexibility, balance, vertical jump, shuttle run test, speed, and T-test were measured before and after the training. SPSS 22.0 package program was used for the statistical analysis of the data. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used for the normality test. Paired Samples T-test was used for comparisons within groups. The significance level was determined as p<0.05. Significance was found in the flexibility, balance, vertical jump, shuttle run, speed, and T-test values of the experimental group (p<0.05). The values of the control group were not significant (p>0.05). As a result, it can be said that the 6-week plyometric training program applied to basketball players has a positive effect on physical performance.  Article visualizations

Retinal Fundus Anjiyografi Görüntülerinde Drusen Alanlarının Otomatik Tespiti ve Hesaplanması

Computer aided detection (CAD) systems are widely used in the analysis of biomedical images. In this paper, we present a novel CAD system to detect age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) on retinal fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) images, and we provide an areal size calculation of pathogenic drusen regions. The purpose of this study is to enable identification and areal size calculation of ARMD-affected regions with the developed CAD system; hence, we aim to discover the condition of the disease as well as facilitate long-term patient follow-up treatment. With the aid of this system, assessing the marked regions will take less time for ophthalmologists and observing the progress of the treatment will be a simpler process. The CAD system consists of four stages, a) preprocessing, b) segmentation, c) region of interest detection and d)feature extraction and drusen area detection. Detection through CAD and calculation of drusen regions were performed with a dataset composed of 75 images. The results obtained from the developed CAD system were examined by a specialist ophthalmologist, and the performance criteria of the CAD system are reported as conclusions. As a result, with 66 correct detections and 9 incorrect detections, the developed CAD system achieved an accuracy rate of 88%.Bilgisayar destekli tespit (BDT) sistemleri biyomedikal görüntülerin analizinde geniş bir kullanım alanına sahiptir. Bu çalışmada retinal fundus anjiyografi görüntüleri üzerinde yaşa bağlı makula dejenerasyonu (YBMD) hastalığının tespiti için bir BDT sistemi gerçekleştirilmiş ve patojenik drusen alanlarının büyüklüğünün hesaplanması sağlanmıştır. Çalışmanın amacı YBMD hastalığının görüldüğü alanların tespitinin ve büyüklüğünü hesaplamanın yanında hastalığa karşı uygulanan tedavinin sonucunun takibini de sağlamaktır. Geliştirilen sistemin yardımıyla optalmoloji uzmanları işaretlenen alanları kısa sürede tespit edebilecek ve hastalığın tedaviye verdiği cevabı basit bir şekilde gözlemleyebileceklerdir. Geliştirilen BDT sistemi 4 aşamadan oluşmaktadır, a) önişleme aşaması, b) bölütleme aşaması, c) ilgi alanı tespiti ve d) öznitelik çıkarma ve tespit aşaması. Geliştirilen BDT sistemi 75 görüntüden oluşan bir verisetiyle test edilmiştir. BST sisteminin elde ettiği sonuçlar bir optalmoloji uzmanıyla karşılaştırılarak sonuç bölümünde sunulmuştur. Geliştirilen BDT sistemi 66 doğru, 9 hatalı tespit yaparak %88 doğruluk oranı sağlamıştır

Evaluation of the Detoxification Potential of Micrococcus Strains and Plants for Bioremediate Organochlorine Herbicides

The objective of our study is to contribute towards the development of the phytoremediation method which is a method that attempts to clean the soil polluted with organochlorine herbicides with the combined application of specially chosen plants, such as alfalfa, maize and soybean with Micrococcus strains. The enzymes and genes involved in the process of bioremediation of various pesticides have also been discussed. Initial degradation of herbicides carried out by bacterial strains include formatin of dehalogenated products with easy plant uptake and undergo oxidative degradation through plant detoxification enzymes, such as cyctochrome P450, peroxidase, phenoloxidase and glutathion S-transferase. Subsequently, this method can finalise the mineralization and degradation of toxicants into nontoxic compounds. Our study presents the results of our model experiments of selected strains of genera Micrococcus and plant phytoremediators. According to the results of the phytoremediation studies, Micrococcus sp. DR44 and Micrococcus sp. HEXBA04 showed best removal performance with Oxadiazon herbicide as 84%25 and Micrococcus sp. Pv8 and Micrococcus sp. BP3_1A showed 71%25 removal performance on Quizalofop-p-ethyl with alfalfa with maize, while removal efficiency of Liuron was 77%25 in alfalfa with Micrococcus sp. NCTC2665. Our study shows that effectively using this newly developed technological approach results in a reduction of pollution in soil samples that have been artificially contaminated. Future perspectives of pesticides bioremediation has also been briefly articulated to make a realistic comment with an element of optimism for researchers working in this field

Mamografi Görüntülerinden Kitle Tespiti Amacıyla Öznitelik Çıkarımı

Bu çalışmada mamografi görüntüleri üzerinde meme kanseri şüphesi taşıyan kitle adaylarının tespitini kolaylaştırma amacıyla görüntü işleme tekniklerinin kullanıldığı bir sistem geliştirilmiştir. Geliştirilen sistem üç aşamadan oluşmaktadır. İlk aşama olan önişleme aşamasında mammogram görüntüsünün istenmeyen yapılardan arındırılması ve sonraki aşamalar için görüntünün iyileştirilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. İkinci aşamada morfolojik işlemler ile kitle adayı olabilecek ilgi alanları belirlenir. Son aşama olan öznitelik çıkartma aşamasında ise ilgi alanlarına ait şekilsel ve istatistiksel bazı öznitelikler hesaplanmakta ve ölçülmektedir

The 6th of february earthquake and the Turkish society of pediatric nephrology-organizational aspects of pediatric kidney care

The 6 February 2023 earthquake that struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria had unique drawbacks, such as the occurrence of two strong, destructive earthquakes nine hours apart in multiple and densely populated geographical areas, exposure to unforgiving winter conditions, and increased anxiety and fear due to multiple aftershocks [1, 2]. As of 26 March 2023, >50 000 people have been killed and many more have been injured in Turkey [3]. One recent editorial and a letter emphasized the vital importance of increased awareness of disaster preparedness and rapid action on organizational issues [4, 5]. Nongovernmental organizations including academic medical societies should take responsibility during disasters [6] and work together with other stakeholders. Since an earthquake should be considered a “kidney disaster” because of crush injuries and resultant acute kidney injury [7], the Turkish Society of Pediatric Nephrology (TSPN) took primary responsibility during the immediate and early phases of earthquake

Spontaneous Herniation of Temporomandibular Joint through the External Auditory Canal

Spontaneous herniation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) through the external auditory canal (EAC) is a relatively rare condition. It was first described by Hawke in 1987. In this article, 2 cases with spontaneous herniation of TMJ were reported together with clinical and radiological features, as well as the updated literature.The first case was a 56-year-old female patient, and she applied to our clinic because of itching at the EAC. On physical examination, herniation of the TMJ to the left EAC was detected. On computerized tomography, there was a bony defect at the anterior portion of the left EAC. The second case was a 52-year-old female, and she attended our clinic with sore throat. On routine physical examination, herniation of the TMJ through the left EAC was detected. Both patients were asymptomatic; none of them underwent surgery and follow-up visits were recommended.In the presence of herniation of the TMJ, a bony defect between the posterior wall of the glenoid cavity and anterior part of the EAC should be taken into consideration. Treatment of TMJ herniation through the EAC is controversial, and presence and the degree of the symptoms are the factors which were taken into consideration for management

Which Patients Can Benefit from Pillar Palatal Implant Procedure?

Objective:The aim of this prospective study is to determine which patients may benefit from pillar procedure as a treatment for snoring.Methods:A total of 37 patients (25 males and 12 females) with a history of snoring were implanted with 3 pillar palatal implants. Flexible fiberoptic examination was used to evaluate the upper airway, especially the retropalatal and retrolingual areas. Visual analog scale (VAS) and polysomnography were performed on before and 3rd months after the pillar procedure. The implantation was performed under local anesthesia.Results:The mean VAS score was reduced from 9.3±0.6 to 6.2±1.1 at the 3rd month. VAS scores of snoring intensity were reduced >50% in 24 of the patients (64.8%). The mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 11.7±2.3 before the implantation and was reduced to 8.4±1.6 at the 3rd month. VAS and AHI had a close relation with gender, body weight, and oropharynx class. There were no major complications, such as infection, extrusion, and major bleeding.Conclusion:Pillar procedure has a high success rate if it is done with appropriate patient selection, but overall effectiveness remains limited. Initial AHI and VAS values, oropharynx and tonsil position scores, and gender are important determinants of pillar procedure

The role of hepcidin and its related genes (BMP6, GDF-15, and HJV) in rats exposed to ischemia and reperfusion

Background/aim: To determine the roles of hepcidin and its related genes in a renal ischemia/reperfusion model. Materials and methods: A total of 20 Wistar albino rats were equally divided into 2 groups: Group I was the control group and Group II was the ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) group (60 min of ischemia + 48 h of reperfusion). I/R was performed on the left kidneys of these rats and then the I/R-treated kidneys were removed. The levels of serum biochemical markers were evaluated after renal I/R. The expression levels of hepcidin-linked genes [growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6), and hemojuvelin (HJV)] were also measured by RT-PCR technique. In addition, the tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Results: No significant association was found between renal dysfunction and I/R when compared to biochemical parameters (P > 0.05). However, differences in platelet values were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Expression levels of GDF-15, BMP6, and HJV genes increased, but this increase was not statistically significant. In addition, histopathological evaluation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin stain. This showed a significant relationship between the control group and I/R group for ischemic and nonischemic kidney scoring. Conclusion: Hepcidin and BMP6, HJV, and GDF-15 should be taken into account when investigating the process of I/R.Background/aim: To determine the roles of hepcidin and its related genes in a renal ischemia/reperfusion model. Materials and methods: A total of 20 Wistar albino rats were equally divided into 2 groups: Group I was the control group and Group II was the ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) group (60 min of ischemia + 48 h of reperfusion). I/R was performed on the left kidneys of these rats and then the I/R-treated kidneys were removed. The levels of serum biochemical markers were evaluated after renal I/R. The expression levels of hepcidin-linked genes [growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6), and hemojuvelin (HJV)] were also measured by RT-PCR technique. In addition, the tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Results: No significant association was found between renal dysfunction and I/R when compared to biochemical parameters (P > 0.05). However, differences in platelet values were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Expression levels of GDF-15, BMP6, and HJV genes increased, but this increase was not statistically significant. In addition, histopathological evaluation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin stain. This showed a significant relationship between the control group and I/R group for ischemic and nonischemic kidney scoring. Conclusion: Hepcidin and BMP6, HJV, and GDF-15 should be taken into account when investigating the process of I/R

The evaluation of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: Comparison of Doppler and tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index

Background: Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent used in a wide spectrum of cancers. However, cardiotoxic effects have limited its clinical use. The early detection of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is crucial. The purpose of our study was to assess values of Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-derived myocardial performance index (MPI) in adult cancer patients receiving doxorubicin treatment. Methods: A total of 45 patients underwent echocardiographic examinations before any doxorubicin had been administered and then after doxorubicin. Doppler and TDI-derived MPI of left ventricular (LV) were determined in the evaluation of cardiotoxicity. Additionally, TDI-derived MPI of right ventricular (RV) was determined. Results: All patients underwent control echocardiographic examination after mean 5 ± 1.7 months. The LV MPI obtained by both Doppler and TDI were increased after doxorubicin treatment (0.56 ± 0.11, 0.61 ± 0.10, p = 0,005 vs 0.51 ± 0.09, 0.59 ± 0.09, p = 0.001, respectively). There was no correlation between Doppler-derived MPI and cumulative doxorubicin dose (coefficient of correlation 0.11, p = 0.6). TDI-derived MPI was correlated with cumulative doxorubicin dose (coefficient of correlation 0.35, p = 0.015), but this correlation is weak (r = 0.38). The study population was divided into two groups according to doxorubicin dose (below and above 300 mg level). There was a moderate correlation between TDI-derived MPI and less than 300 mg of doxorubicin dose (coefficient of correlation 0.51, p = 0.028). However, Doppler-derived MPI was not correlated with less than 300 mg of doxorubicin dose (coefficient of correlation 0.38, p = 0.123). Also, there was no significant change in the TDI-derived RV-MPI (0.49 ± 0.14, 0.50 ± 0.12, p = 0.56). Conclusions: TDI-derived MPI is a useful parameter and an early indicator compared with Doppler-derived MPI in the detection of cardiotoxicity during the early stages. Also, doxorubicin administration does not affect RV function

Comparison of the Results of Conventional and Laparoscopic Methods of Lymph Node Dissection Performed in Endometrial Cancer Surgery

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine a current approach to en bloc para-aortic lymphadenectomy and to compare the results of this new approach performed by way of laparotomy and endoscopically. Methods: This study was conducted on 191 patients with endometrial cancer (EC) who had undergone para-aortic lymph node (PaLN) dissection with the current method (en. bloc paraaortic lymphadenectomy; protect inferior mesenteric artery and superior hypogastric plexus) between January 2015 and September 2019. A description of the paraaortic lymphadenectomy technique was made in this study. Harvested lymph node counts, operational information, pathological features, postoperative complications, recurrence were presented. Results: A total of 191 EC patients were analyzed in two separate groups with regard to surgical approach. Open and minimally invasive surgery was composed of 141 and 50 patients, respectively. There was no difference between the groups in respect of age, body mass index, menopausal status, anesthesia time, chylous ascites, the presence of recurrence. We found in open surgery group that pre-operative CA125 level, amount of intraoperative bleeding, erythrocyte suspension transfusion, number of PaLNs, metastatic PaLN counts, and early postoperative complications were significantly higher than the other group. Conclusion: The current method has some advantages such as protecting normal body structures, resulting in the same lymph node counts with published articles by other authors previously, and having lower recurrence rates. Two approaches of the current technique are feasible, easy to perform and effective