Five Methods of Breast Volume Measurement: A Comparative Study of Measurements of Specimen Volume in 30 Mastectomy Cases

Background To compare breast volume measurement techniques in terms of accuracy, convenience, and cost. Methods Breast volumes of 30 patients who were scheduled to undergo total mastectomy surgery were measured preoperatively by using five different methods (mammography, anatomic [anthropometric], thermoplastic casting, the Archimedes procedure, and the Grossman-Roudner device). Specimen volume after total mastectomy was measured in each patient with the water displacement method (Archimedes). The results were compared statistically with the values obtained by the five different methods. Results The mean mastectomy specimen volume was 623.5 (range 150–1490) mL. The breast volume values were established to be 615.7 mL (r = 0.997) with the mammographic method, 645.4 mL (r = 0.975) with the anthropometric method, 565.8 mL (r = 0.934) with the Grossman-Roudner device, 583.2 mL (r = 0.989) with the Archimedes procedure, and 544.7 mL (r = 0.94) with the casting technique. Examination of r values revealed that the most accurate method was mammography for all volume ranges, followed by the Archimedes method. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that the most accurate method of breast volume measurement is mammography, followed by the Archimedes method. However, when patient comfort, ease of application, and cost were taken into consideration, the Grossman-Roudner device and anatomic measurement were relatively less expensive, and easier methods with an acceptable degree of accuracy

The Taylor Matrix Method for Approximate Solution of Lane-Emden Equation with index-n

Abstract: Many problems in mathematical physics can be formulated as an equation of Lane-Emden type. There are many methods for the solution of this equation. One of these methods is the Taylor matrix method. The only types of nonlinear equations that this method has been applied so far are the Riccati and Abel equations. In this study, an algorithm based on the Taylor matrix method is proposed and applied to the nonlinear Lane-Emden equation with index-n. An example is also given

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function by Conventional Echocardiography and Tissue Doppler Imaging in Patients with Acute and Chronic Mitral Regurgitation

Left ventricular function is affected differently in acute and chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). Twenty-six patients (12 men and 14 women, average age: 55±20 years) with acute severe MR caused by flail leaflet and 30 patients with chronic severe MR of organic origin (14 men and 16 women, average age: 56±14 years) were included in the study. All of the patients were evaluated in detail by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Among conventional echocardiographic parameters, left ventricle ejection fraction (%) was found higher in acute MR (71±5/59±12, p=0.001) whereas left ventricle end-systolic volume, left ventricle end-diastolic volume, left ventricle end-systolic diameter, left ventricle end-diastolic diameter, left atrium dimension, and left atrial area were significantly higher in chronic MR. Among TDI parameters, peak systolic wave velocities (11.4±3.6/8.8±2.5cm/s, p=0.018), peak early diastolic velocities (10.8±4.5/9.3±3.8cm, p=0.03), and contraction time (248±56/219±47ms, p=0.04) were found higher in acute MR, whereas precontraction time (119±29/164±48ms, p=0.005) and precontraction time to contraction time ratio (0.52±0.23/0.78±0.28, p=0.008) were significantly higher in chronic MR. As evaluated by conventional echocardiography, the systolic function of chronic MR was also normal, although it was lower than that of acute MR. We also found that left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions by TDI were also relatively preserved in patients with acute MR when compared with those with chronic MR

Characterization of greater middle eastern genetic variation for enhanced disease gene discovery

The Greater Middle East (GME) has been a central hub of human migration and population admixture. The tradition of consanguinity, variably practiced in the Persian Gulf region, North Africa, and Central Asia1-3, has resulted in an elevated burden of recessive disease4. Here we generated a whole-exome GME variome from 1,111 unrelated subjects. We detected substantial diversity and admixture in continental and subregional populations, corresponding to several ancient founder populations with little evidence of bottlenecks. Measured consanguinity rates were an order of magnitude above those in other sampled populations, and the GME population exhibited an increased burden of runs of homozygosity (ROHs) but showed no evidence for reduced burden of deleterious variation due to classically theorized ‘genetic purging’. Applying this database to unsolved recessive conditions in the GME population reduced the number of potential disease-causing variants by four- to sevenfold. These results show variegated genetic architecture in GME populations and support future human genetic discoveries in Mendelian and population genetics

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa Gmelin, 1790) culture under marine fish net cages for potential use in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)

WOS: 000406894400014In this study, integrated aquaculture of Mediterranean sea cucumber species Holothuria tubulosa under finfish net cages was investigated. To evaluate whether H.tubulosa can be reared under net cage farms without additional feed and to compare growth performances, three underwater ranches (10x10m), just below a net cage (A), between the net cages (B) and 750 m away from the net cage systems (K) were set. Fifty sea cucumbers (92.81 +/- 2.29 g) were placed into each research station and growth performances like specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain were observed for 90 days. SGR of sea cucumbers in stations A, B and K were 0.3 +/- 0.04, 0.22 +/- 0.02 and 0.10 +/- 0.01 %/d, respectively. The highest mean weight gain 31.11 +/- 0.84 g was recorded at station A where the lowest was in station K as 8.89 +/- 0.12 g. Organic carbon and organic material amount of research stations significantly affected the final mean weights of sea cucumbers where the highest growth was determined at the stations A and B. The results suggest that integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems combined with finfish and sea cucumber H. tubulosa under net cages would provide by-products to aquaculture farms without an extra feed costs in the Mediterranean Sea.Ege University Research FundsEge University [03BIL021]This study was granted by Ege University Research Funds (03BIL021). Authors would like to thank marine cage farm owner Gurler Muhtaroglu for his contribution

Sea cucumber (<i>Holothuria tubulosa</i> Gmelin, 1790) culture under marine fish net cages for potential use in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)

749-756In this study, integrated aquaculture of Mediterranean sea cucumber species Holothuria tubulosa under finfish net cages was investigated. To evaluate whether H.tubulosa can be reared under net cage farms without additional feed and to compare growth performances, three underwater ranches (10x10m), just below a net cage (A), between the net cages (B) and 750 m away from the net cage systems (K) were set. Fifty sea cucumbers (92.81±2.29 g) were placed into each research station and growth performances like specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain were observed for 90 days. SGR of sea cucumbers in stations A, B and K were 0.32±0.04, 0.22±0.02 and 0.10±0.01 %/d, respectively. The highest mean weight gain 31.11±0.84 g was recorded at station A where the lowest was in station K as 8.89±0.12 g. Organic carbon and organic material amount of research stations significantly affected the final mean weights of sea cucumbers where the highest growth was determined at the stations A and B. The results suggest that integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems combined with finfish and sea cucumber H. tubulosa under net cages would provide by-products to aquaculture farms without an extra feed costs in the Mediterranean Sea

Oncoplastic reduction mammoplasty for breast cancer in women with macromastia: long term aesthetic, functional and satisfaction outcomes

Aim of the study : Despite the increase in studies concerning oncoplastic reduction mammoplasty (ORM), data showing long-term aesthetic and patient satisfaction for ORM in patients with macromastia remain limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the long-term results of tumorectomy and concomitant bilateral ORM for early-stage breast cancer patients with macromastia in terms of cosmesis, patient satisfaction, and functional outcomes. Material and methods : Retrospective data of patients with macromastia undergoing ORM for breast cancer between 1996 and 2011 were examined and evaluated regarding the aesthetic results, patient satisfaction, and functional outcomes. Results : The median age of the 82 patients was 50 years. The median follow-up was 120 months (range: 28–212 months). The median breast volume was 1402 cm 3 , and the median weight of the excised breast material was 679 g. A good or excellent evaluation of the cosmetic outcome was as follows: self-evaluation: 84.1% at the early-stage, 80.3% at the later stage; panel evaluation: 75.4% at the late-stage. Median patient satisfaction rates were 9.1% for early-stage disease and 8.8% for late-stage disease. Reduced mobility and intertrigo improved by three-fold during the post-operative period. Conclusions : ORM for early-stage breast cancer in women with macromastia results in good cosmesis in both the early-stage and long-term, and is quite acceptable for use in patients. Patients reacted favorably to the prospect of having their breast cancer and macromastia treated in a single session, and positive results continued over the long-term