MDCT Findings of Denim-Sandblasting-Induced Silicosis: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Denim sandblasting is as a novel cause of silicosis in Turkey, with reports of a recent increase in cases and fatal outcomes. We aimed to describe the radiological features of patients exposed to silica during denim sandblasting and define factors related to the development of silicosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty consecutive men with a history of exposure to silica during denim sandblasting were recruited. All CT examinations were performed using a 64-row multi-detector CT (MDCT). The nodules were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed by grading nodular profusion (NP) on CT images.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Silicosis was diagnosed radiologically in 73.3% of patients (44 of 60). The latency period (the time between initial exposure and radiological imaging) and duration of silica exposure was longer in patients diagnosed with silicosis than in those without silicosis (p < 0.05). Nodules were present in all cases with centrilobular type as the commonest (63.6%). All cases of silicosis were clinically classified as accelerated and 11.4% had progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Mild NP lesions were the most prevalent in all six zones of the lung. The NP score was significantly correlated with the duration of silica exposure, the latency period, presence of PMF, and pleural thickening. Enlarged lymphadenopathy was present in 45.5% of patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The duration of exposure and the latency period are important for development of silicosis in denim sandblasters. MDCT is a useful tool in detecting findings of silicosis in workers who has silica exposure.</p

GEOPARK INVENTORY STUDY OF LEVENT VALLEY, AKCADAG-MALATYA

The purposes of "Levent Valley Geopark Inventory Study" investigate each of many caves "which known to be over hundred" and study and record geological structures which could develop to become geosite both within the valley and the surrounding area. In Levent Valley -which is located at Levent, Akcadag village of Malatya-Lithostratigraphic units are surfaced dating back to Upper Cretaceous-Pliocene. The karstic caves found on the joints which is result of cross cutting of the faults of the main faults cutting through the valley, are mostly shaped by people who lived in the valley

Acute Bacterial Parotitis in Intensive Care Patients: Four Case Reports

Acute Bacterial Parotitis (ABP) is an infection seen in very early and old ages. The infection can be prevented by sufficient fluid support, mouth hygiene, oral feeding and avoiding multiple medication use. Parotis ultrasonography can be used for diagnosis. Acute Bacterial Parotitis can be treated in a short time and free of problems with early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotics. Mortality can be seen in cases which are late diagnosed and which are resistant to antibiotic treatment. This article presents four case reports over the age of 65 with a diagnosis of ABP, who are monitored in the intensive care. It is thought that the first case developed ABP because of multiple medication use, liquid restriction and oral feeding difficulty, the second case because of oral feeding difficulty, the third case because of bad mouth hygiene, dementia and not getting enough liquid and the fourth case because of oral feeding difficulty. If the cases with the stated risk factors are carefully followed, intensive care hospitalization period will not be prolonged and mortality rates will not increase

Nonlinear optimal adaptive transition control of a tolt-prop VTOL UAV

In this work, transition corridor determination and transition control of a Tilt-Prop Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft problem is addressed. Non-linear flight dynamics model of the aircraft is generated using the software Generic Air Vehicle Model. Transition corridor is estimated by using the constructed model and analyzed in terms of power consumption and flight efficiency. Automatic transition flight control system deals with fully automated transition control of Tilt-Prop UAV including uncertainties in system modeling and system parameters. Control system is integrated to a 6-DoF simulation environment. Different transition maneuvers are performed and results are discussed in terms of power consumption and efficiency. Efficiency of the transition controller is illustrated through simulations over the determined transition corridor. It is planned to integrate the nonlinear adaptive transition controller to the flight computer of the aircraft to validate the transition corridor with flight tests and perform automated transition to forward flight. Copyright Statement The authors confirm that they, and/or their company or organization, hold copyright on all of the original material included in this paper. The authors also confirm that they have obtained permission, from the copyright holder of any third party material included in this paper, to publish it as part of their paper. The authors confirm that they give permission, or have obtained permission from the copyright holder of this paper, for the publication and distribution of this paper as part of the ERF proceedings or as individual offprints from the proceedings and for inclusion in a freely accessible web-based repository

Sonoelastographic Evaluation Of The Distal Femoral Cartilage In Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate sonoelastographic properties of the distal femoral cartilage in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Patients and methods: Demographic characteristics and operative data of 28 patients (27 males, 1 female; mean age 31.7 +/- 7.1 years; range 22 to 48 years) with unilateral ACL reconstruction were evaluated. Reconstruction was performed with patellar tendon graft in 22 patients (78.6%) and hamstring tendon graft in six patients (21.4%). Lysholm knee score was used for functional evaluation and chair stand test was used for lower extremity strength. Medial, intercondylar, and lateral distal femoral cartilage thicknesses of operated knees and healthy knees were measured with B-mode ultrasound, while strain ratios were measured with real time sonoelastography. Results: Postoperative mean follow-up duration was 20.4 +/- 9.8 months. Mean Lysholm knee and patient satisfaction scores were 88.0 +/- 8.5 and 8.2 +/- 1.8, respectively. Cartilage thicknesses were similar between operated and healthy knees (all p>0.05). Sonoelastographic strain ratio of medial distal femoral cartilage in operated knees was significantly higher (softer cartilage) (p=0.026). There was a negative correlation between strain ratio difference of medial cartilage of operated knees and lower extremity muscle strength (p=0.009, r=-0.487). Conclusion: While there was no difference for cartilage thickness between operated and healthy knees in B-mode ultrasound evaluation, detection of sonoelastographic strain ratio changes in medial distal femoral cartilage on the operated sides may indicate early structural changes following ACL reconstruction. Further studies are required to highlight the clinical effects of this relationship between the changes in cartilage structure and sonoelastography features.WoSScopu

The Effects of Smoking on Ultrasonographic Thickness and Elastosonographic Strain Ratio Measurements of Distal Femoral Cartilage

Although adverse effects of smoking on bone health are all well known, data on how smoking interacts with cartilage structure in otherwise healthy individuals remains conflicting. Here, we ascertain the effects of cigarette smoking on sonoelastographic properties of distal femoral cartilage in asymptomatic adults. Demographic characteristics and smoking habits (packets/year) of healthy volunteers were recorded. Medial, intercondylar, and lateral distal femoral cartilage thicknesses and strain ratios on the dominant extremity were measured with ultrasonography (US) and real time US elastography. A total of 88 subjects (71 M, 17 F; aged 18–56 years, N = 43 smokers and N = 45 nonsmokers) were evaluated. Mean amount of cigarette smoking was 10.3 ± 8.9 (1–45) packets/year. Medial, intercondylar and lateral cartilage were thicker in smokers than nonsmokers (p = 0.002, p = 0.017, and p = 0.004, respectively). Medial distal femoral cartilage strain ratio was lower in smokers (p = 0.003). The amount of smoking was positively correlated with cartilage thicknesses and negatively correlated with medial cartilage strain ratios (p < 0.05). Femoral cartilage is thicker in smokers but has less strain ratio representing harder cartilage on the medial side. Future studies are needed to understand how these structural changes in the knee cartilage should be interpreted with regard to the development of knee osteoarthritis in smokers.PubMedWoSScopu

Incidence of Thyroid Dysfunction and Thyroid Cancer in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Experience

Background. The prevalence of thyroid cancer in renal transplant population has not been widely studied, and there is no consensus on the management of thyroid cancer in transplant patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in thyroid hormone levels and investigate the incidence of the thyroid cancer after renal transplantation. Materials and methods. From October 1989 to April 2007, 122 renal allograft recipients that were being followed underwent thyroid ultrasonography to determine nodules together with thyroid hormone levels. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed to the nodules > 10 mm or those with 8-10 mm diameter but with calcifications. Results. One hundred and eight patients (88.5%) had normal thyroid function. None of the patients had overt hypothyroidism, 2 had subclinical hypothyroidism, 10 subclinical thyrotoxicosis, and 2 low T3 syndrome. Mean thyroid volume was 14.2 +/- 7.2 ml. In all, 91.8% was diagnosed with goiter (n = 112). Seventy-two thyroid nodules were detected in 49 kidney allograft recipients (single nodule in 30, multiple in 19 patients). Eighty-four biopsy samples were reported as benign (n = 21, 87.5%), 8 as suspicious (n = 2, 8.3%), and 4 as inadequate (n = 1, 4.1%). After surgery, one of the patients (0.8%) with suspicious FNAB was reported as papillary thyroid carcinoma. Conclusion. Because of the high incidence of thyroid dysfunction in transplant patients, screening of thyroid function should be a part of follow-up. Our results suggest that although frequency of nodules is increased in kidney transplant patients, prevalence of thyroid cancer is slightly, but not significantly, higher than that of the normal population.</