Left Renal Vein Abnormalities Detected During Routine Abdominal Computed Tomography Imaging: Clinico-radiological Significance

Purpose: Preoperative knowledge of the presence of major venous anomalies facilitates the safe performance of aortic surgery. The purpose of the study was to estimate the incidence, as detected by abdominal computed tomography (CT), of major left renal vein anomalies related to the abdominal aorta in an adult population. Materials and methods: Seven hundred and fifty abdominal CT examinations were reviewed retrospectively for the presence of left renal vein anomalies. Eleven CT scans were excluded from the study because of technical or patient-related factors. The course of the left renal vein was assessed on the CT slices to detect any anomalies. Results: Left renal vein anomaly was detected in 23 (3.1%) of 739 cases. Seventeen (2.3%) of them were a retro-aortic and six (0.8%) of them were a circum-aortic left renal vein. Conclusion: It is important to detect left renal vein anomalies before retroperitoneal surgery or interventional procedures. These anomalies can be identified in routine abdominal CT examinations with a careful inspection

Implementation of a simplified method for actuation of ferrofluids

This paper was presented at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011), which was held at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki in Greece. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute.Magnetic actuation of ferrofluids is an emergent field that will open up new possibilities in various fields of engineering. The quality and topology of the magnetic field that is being utilized in such systems is determinant in terms of flow properties, flow rates and overall efficiency. Determining the optimal magnetic field topology to achieve the desired results, and determining the methods by which these magnetic fields are to be generated are central problems of obtaining the desired flow. A healthy comparison of various magnetic field topologies requires a varied set of examples from the most simplified to most sophisticated. Such comparisons are necessary to have a well grounded starting point. This study focuses on a particular pump design that employs a simplified magnetic field topology to obtain ferrofluid flow. The results of this paper such as flow and pressure difference are intended to form a baseline for future reference.Sabancı University Internal Research Grant, no: IACF09-0064

Assessment of Asthma Control and Severity among Children According to Global Initiative for Asthma Guidelines in Sulaimani City-Iraq

Background: Asthma is a common and potentially serious chronic disease that imposes a substantial burden on patients, their families and the community. Objective: Assessment of the level of asthma control and severity in asthmatic children in Sulaimani city according to the global initiative for asthma (GINA) guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 82 patients who are known cases of asthma, aged 5 – 15 years , from 1st of March 2014 to 1st of August 2014. Results: Out of 82 patients in our study, 20.8%were classified as having intermittent asthma all of them have well controlled asthma, 42.7% of those classified as having mild persistent asthma 65.7% of them have well controlled asthma, 26.8% of those classified as having moderate persistent asthma 54.5% of them have partly controlled asthma, and 9.8%of those classified as having severe persistent asthma the majority of them 87.5% have uncontrolled asthma and none of them reached to the controlled asthma level according to GINA guidelines. Regarding the peak expiratory flow (PFT) we notice that 58.8% of asthmatic children who were classified as having intermittent severity, their PEF measurements ranged between 160- 250 l/min while those with severe persistent asthma 75% of them have readings between 50-150 l/min. Conclusion: Current levels of asthma control in the Sulaimani city fall far short of the goals specified in the GINA guidelines for asthma management. Also there is a strong correlation between PEF measurements and the level of asthma severity

Central region morphometry in a child brain; Age and gender differences

Background: Data on central region morphometry of a child brain is  important not only in terms of providing us with information about central region anatomy of the brain but also in terms of the help of this  information for the plans to be applied in neurosurgery.Objective: In the present study, central region morphometry of a child  brain in mid.sagittal MR images was analyzed in age and gender groups.Materials and Methods: Different points determined previously,  commissura posterior (PC) and the distances between cerebral cortex point (VCS) vertical to commissura anterior. commissura posterior line, sulcus centralis (CS), sulcus marginalis (MS), and the angle (α) between   CS-PC-MS were determined and measured together with difference of gender in three different age groups (aged 6.9, 10.13, and 14.17).Results: Central region measures of the brains of boys aged 6.17 are  higher than girls except for MS.PC distance. While VCS.PC, CS.PC, and MS-PC measures display a significant difference in the girls aged 14.17  when compared to the other age groups of 6.9 and 10.13 (P < 0.05), angle α is not significantly different in age and gender groups (P > 0.05). However, while VCS-PC, CS-PC and MS-PC distances show a significant  increase in girls beginning from the age of 14, this increase is limited in boys.Conclusion: Morphometric differences observed in different age groups in boys and girls shall contribute our evaluation of the alterations in brain development in both of genders and shall be useful in preparation of  surgical operation plans to be applied to the central region.Key words: Brain, central region, child, morphometry, magnetic resonance Imagin