Isometric quadriceps exercises for patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial comparing knee joint position flexion versus extension

Objective. To compare the effect of quadriceps isometric exercises performed in two different positions in addition to the combined physical therapy program on pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. A total of 30 patients with OA (age range 45 to 70 years) who were admitted to Istanbul Private Ekotom Medical Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic, were included. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the type of performing the quadriceps isometric exercises as group 1 (performing in knee extension, n=14) and group 2 (performing in knee flexion, n=15). All patients also received a combined physical therapy program. Exercise protocols were applied six days a week for four weeks. The pain was evaluated using a 10 cm visual analog scale for pain (VAS) in rest and activity; pain, joint stiffness, and physical function were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results. A significant difference was found in the VAS and WOMAC scores of both groups in group comparisons (p < 0.05). When the groups were compared in terms of change values, a significant difference was found in the WOMAC stiffness score in favor of group I (p < 0.05). Discussion. It is possible to obtain positive results with quadriceps isometric exercises to reduce pain and joint stiffness and increase physical function in patients with knee OA. However, exercises performed in knee extension were found to be more effective in reducing joint stiffness

Characterization of fine particulate matter sources in two urban areas of Beirut and Montreal

International audienc

PM2.5 sources in the Eastern Mediterranean capital Beirut: chemical characterization and contribution to ambient concentrations.

International audienc

Composition and variability of gaseous organic pollution in the port megacity of Istanbul: source attribution, emission ratios and inventory evaluation

International audienc

Chemical Characterization of PM2.5 in the East Mediterranean during the hot season

International audienc

Quantifying trace elements in the emitted particulate matter during cooking and health risk assessment

Particulate matter (PM) measurements were conducted during heating corn oil, heating corn oil mixed with the table salt and heating low fat ground beef meat using a PTFE-coated aluminum pan on an electric stove with low ventilation. The main objectives of this study were to measure the size segregated mass concentrations, emission rates, and fluxes of 24 trace elements emitted during heating cooking oil or oil with salt and cooking meat. Health risk assessments were performed based on the resulting exposure to trace elements from such cooking activities. The most abundant elements (significantly different from zero) were Ba (24.4 ug m(-3)) during grilling meat and Ti during heating oil with salt (24.4 ug m(-3)). The health assessment indicates that the cooking with an electric stove with poor ventilation leading to chronic exposures may pose the risk of significant adverse health effects. Carcinogenic risk exceeded the acceptable level (target cancer risk 1 x 10(-6), US EPA 2015) by four orders of magnitude, while non-carcinogenic risk exceeded the safe level (target HQ = 1, US EPA 2015) by a factor of 5-20. Cr and Co were the primary contributors to the highest carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, respectively