QUADRICEPS FEMORIS ANGLE OF ELITE AND NON-ELITE ATHLETES IN OLYMPIC STYLE WEIGHTLIFTING

OBJECTIVE: To find out the quadriceps femoris angle (Q-angle) values of elite and non-elite athletes in Olympic style weightlifting. METHODS: This study included 22 male elite athletes that won medals in international Olympic style weightlifting championships and 22 male non-elite athletes who won medals in national Olympic style weightlifting championships. A goniometer was used to determine the angle of the quadriceps femoris muscle while the athletes were in supine position and the muscle was inactivated.  Anthropometric measurements of right-left thigh and lower leg length, right-left thigh and calf girth, and pelvic width of athletes were obtained. One repetition maximum of snatch, clean and jerk and leg strength of the athletes was recorded. To study demographic characteristics and some anthropometric values of lower extremity of the athletes, t-Test was conducted for independent groups. To compare anthropometric measurements of right-left lower extremity and right-left Q-angle values, paired sample t-Test was used. Right-left Q-angle values and relations among other variables were studied by Pearson correlation analysis. SPSS was used for all analyses. RESULTS: Mean age was 19.73±2.97 years and 18.73±1.55 years for of elite and non-elite athletes respectively. No significant difference was observed in demographic characteristics and in some anthropometric values of lower extremity of elite and non-elite athletes (p>0.05). However, right-left Q-angle values of non-elite athletes (10.14±1.55o and 10.14±1.52o, respectively) were higher than the right-left Q-angle values of elite athletes (8.32±1.39o and 8.32±1.32o, respectively) [p<0.003]. CONCLUSIONS: Olympic style weightlifting, which is maintained in elite level, affects the quadriceps femoris angle

Comparison of cardiac, extrapyramidal and metabolic side effects of ziprasidone versus risperidone in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders

Antipsikotik ilaçların göreceli etkinlik ve yan etki profillerinin belirlenmesi için daha fazla karşılaştırma çalışmasına gereksinim duyulmaktadır. Bu çalışmada şizofreni ve şizoaffektif bozukluk akut alevlenmesi olan hastalarda ziprasidon ile risperidon tedavilerinin klinik etkinliğini, ekstrapiramidal, metabolik ve kardiyak yan etkilerini karşılaştırmayı amaçladık. Ruhsal Bozuklukların Tanımlanması ve Sınıflandırması El Kitabı, Gözden Geçirilmiş Dördüncü Baskı tanı ölçütlerine göre şizofreni veya şizoaffektif bozukluk akut alevlenmesi olan hastalar, 6 hafta süreyle ziprasidon 80-160 mg/gün (n=11) veya risperidon 4-8 mg/gün (n=11) almak üzere rastgele dağıtıldılar. Etkinlik değerlendirmeleri için pozitif ve negatif sendrom ölçeği toplam puanı, pozitif semptomlar alt ölçeği ve negatif semptomlar alt ölçeği kullanıldı. Yan etki değerlendirmeleri için ölçeklerle hareket bozukluğu değerlendirmeleri, laboratuvar testleri, beden ağırlığı ve beden kitle indeksi ölçümleri, elektrokardiyografi ve radyonüklid ventrikülografi incelemeleri yapıldı. Her iki antipsikotik ilaç da klinik bulgularda anlamlı düzelme sağladı. Başlangıç ve sonlanım etkinlik değerlendirmelerinde her iki tedavi grubu arasında anlamlı fark yoktu. Risperidon ile parkinsonizm bulgularında anlamlı artış oldu. Ziprasidon beden ağırlığı, glukoz ve lipid düzeyleri üzerine daha olumlu etkiler gösterdi. Risperidon ile prolaktin düzeylerinde anlamlı yükselme oldu. Ziprasidon risperidona göre daha fazla QTc uzamasına neden oldu. Başlangıç ve sonlanım sol ventrikül sistolik ve diyastolik fonksiyonlarının ölçümlerinde, her iki tedavi grubu arasında anlamlı fark yoktu. Anahtar kelimeler: Ziprasidon, risperidon, yan etkilerMore comparison studies of antipsychotic drugs are needed to discern the relative efficacy and side effect profiles of these compounds. In this study we aimed to compare clinical efficacy, extrapyramidal, metabolic and cardiac side effects of ziprasidone and risperidone treatments in patients with acut exacerbation of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Patients with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision acut exacerbation of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomly assigned to receive ziprasidon 80-160 mg/day (n=11) or risperidone 4-8 mg/day (n=11) for 6 weeks. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score, positive symptoms subscale and negative symptoms subscale were used for efficacy measures. Movement disorder scale evaluations, laboratory tests, body weight and body mass index measures, electrocardiography and radionuclide ventriculography scan were used for side effect assessments. Both antipsychotic drugs improved clinical symptoms significantly. The two treatment groups did not differ significantly in efficacy measures at beginning and endpoint assessments. There was significantly increase in parkinsonism symptoms with risperidone. Ziprasidon exhibited more beneficial effects on body weight, glucose and lipid levels. There was significantly increase in prolactin levels with risperidone. Ziprasidone induced more QTc prolongtion than risperidone. The two treatment groups did not differ significantly in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function measures at beginning and endpoint assessments. Key words: Ziprasidone, risperidone, side effect

Are Hepatic Portal Venous System Components Distributed Equally in the Liver? A Multidetector Computerized Tomography Study

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the relationships between the splenic index, right and left hepatic lobe volumes, diameters of splenic vein (SV), superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and the portal vein (PV) by Multidetector Computerized Tomography (MDCT). We also investigated indirect signs of portal venous flow pattern using these parameters.Material and Methods: Following their contrast thoracoabdominal and abdominal 64-MDCT examinations, the images of 100 cases (61 males and 39 females) were evaluated retrospectively. For each case, the splenic index, total hepatic volume, left and right hepatic volumes were calculated on the post-contrast portal venous phase (50th sec) images. Spearman correlation tests were carried out with the purpose of determining the relationships between the variables. Statistical significance level was set at p<0.005.Results: A statistically significant relation was demonstrated between the diameter of the SMV and right hepatic lobe volume (p<0.0001), and according to Pearson’s correlation analysis, a positive correlation of medium strength (r=0.36) was observed. A positive correlation was demonstrated between the diameter of the splenic vein and left hepatic lobe volume (r=0.36). Statistically significant relation between the diameters of the splenic vein and right hepatic lobe was not observed (p=0.62). A strong correlation between the left hepatic lobe volume and the splenic index (r=0.556) was observed.Conclusion: We observed a positive correlation and a significant relation between the diameter of the SMV and the right hepatic lobe, and a relation between the splenic vein and splenic index and both hepatic lobes. We believe that this situation is related to the streamline flow in the portal vein, and as demonstrated in the literature, the flow in the SMV is directed at the right lobe, whereas the splenic vein empties into the liver homogenously. Our study is the first study in the literature performed by multidetector CT, which is a technique that reveals the relations between the streamline flow in the portal vein, the splenic index and the hepatic lobe volumes

The association of temperament with nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy

We aimed to investigate the relationship between affective temperaments and the severity of nausea and vomiting symptoms in early pregnancy (NVP). The pregnant women who did (n = 187) or did not report (n = 71) any nausea and vomiting at three consecutive assessments with the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis Scoring Index (PUQE) (n = 71) were examined. Affective temperamental traits were assessed by Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A). The anxious (p < .0001), depressive (p = .003), cyclothymic (p = .03) and irritable (p = .021) temperament traits in NVP patients were significantly higher than in controls. There were significant correlations between the PUQE scores and depressive (p = .002), cyclothymic (p = .001), irritable (p = .001) and anxious (p = .001) traits. Anxious temparement (p = .004) and being a housewife (p = .012) were significantly associated with NVP. Our results suggest that women with a predominantly anxious temperament are more vulnerable to developing somatic complaints such as nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Although some studies have examined the link between NVP and some psychiatric disorders, to our knowledge the relationship between NVP and affective temperament has not been well investigated. What do the results of this study add? Predominantly anxious temperament make the individuals vulnerable to develop some somatic complaints such as nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The association of temperament and NVP might be linked to a psychosomatic process in pregnancy. Future research are required to examine the associations of temperament with NVP by including several other biological, social and psychological variables

The importance of MicroRNA 29a as a biomarker in colon cancer

Introduction: Colon cancer (CC) has become one of the most common diseases in recent years.The incidence of (CC) varies greatly worldwide, depending on lifestyle, environment, and genetic causes. Endoscopy is invasive and expensive for early detection. Therefore, there is a need to develop reliable and non-invasive markers for the early diagnosis of CC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted attention as promising biomarkers in other cancers In this study, our aim is to determine whether miRNAs are biomarkers in the early diagnosis of colon cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients diagnosed with colon cancer and twenty healthy individuals of the same age and gender were selected as the control group. Four miRNAs (let-7g, miR-29a, miR-155, miR-200c) selected and MiR 181 and miR 192 used as the endogenous control group in line with their binding potentials and gene expression levels. They were measured with StepOne ™ Real-Time PCR. Results: mir29a was significantly high AUCs, thus the sensitivity and specificity values of was 100.0% and 64.3%. Common to all studies was MiR29a as sensitive and spesific like in our study. Conclusion: miR29a, is a hopeful miRNA in the early diagnosis of colon cancer, prognosis and treatment of the disease. Further validation studies are needed.The current study was funded by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Science and Industry, KOSGEB Antalya Directorate within the scope of the project entitled “MicroRNA kits in the early diagnosis of cancer” conducted by AGTC Özel Genetik Sağlık Hizm. Tur. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti. Grand Number: 0080785533

The importance of Microrna21 as biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancerrelated deaths worldwide.The diagnosis of HCC patients remains difficult, especially early in the development of the disease, and yet early and accurate diagnosis of HCC patients is vital in order to improve prognosis. Promising biomarkers for diagnosis of HCC have been successfully identifiedin several studies. MicroRNA-21 is one of the oncogenic miRNAs which may be a potential diagnostic biomarker for HCC.Our aim in the study was to investigate microRNAs as a biomarker in HCC and to compare the most unique MiR-21 in the literature as a biomarker and prognostic factor. Materials and Methods: Ten patients diagnosed with HCC and ten healthy individuals of the same age and gender were selected as the control group. Six miRNAs (Let-7c, miR-1, miR-21, miR-29, miR-34, miR-335) selected and MiR 181 and miR 192 used as the endogenous control group. Results: MiR21 was upregulated and statistically important compared with the endogenous control miR181(p=0.041). In the ROC analysis curve, AUC was significantly high for Delta181CT miR-21 (0.778). The sensitivity and specificity values of Delta181CT miR-21 with an optimal cut-off value of -3.508564949 were 77.8% and 90.0%. respectively. None of six miRNA statistically important compared with the endogenous control miR192. Conclusion: MiR21 is important for determining as biomarkers at diagnosis of HCC.The current study was funded by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Science and Industry, KOSGEB Antalya Directorate within the scope of the project entitled “MicroRNA kits in the early diagnosis of cancer” conducted by AGTC Özel Genetik Sağlık Hizm. Tur. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti. Grand Number: 0080785533

The importance of MicroRNA 106b as a biomarker in gastric cancer

Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common malignant disease worldwide, and it is observed 2-3 times more frequently in men than in women. It is important to make an early diagnosis in GC, by using screening methods such as serological markers and histological precursor. MiRNAs circulating in the blood have come to the fore in the early diagnosis of GC. In this study, our aim was to detect the most specific and sensitive microRNA by studying the microRNAs in the patient and control groups. Material and methods: Fourteen patients diagnosed with gastric cancer and fourteen healthy individuals of the same age and gender were selected as the control group. Three miRNAs (miR-34a, miR106b, miR-223 and miR 181 and miR 192 used as the endogenous control group in line with their binding potentials and gene expression levels. Results: Only miR106b was upregulated and statiscally important compared with the endogenous control miR181 for patients and healthy individuals (p:0.022). Conclusion: MiR-106b may have an important role in both the early diagnosis. Further extensive studies are needed.The current study was funded by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Science and Industry, KOSGEB Antalya Directorate within the scope of the project entitled “MicroRNA kits in the early diagnosis of cancer” conducted by AGTC Özel Genetik Sağlık Hizm. Tur. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti. Grand Number: 0080785533

The role of microRNAs as biomarker in pancreas cancer

Objective: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive cancer of the digestive tract Overall survival for patients with pancreatic cancer is poor mainly due to the lack of biomarkers that enable early diagnosis. Several studies have shown that miRNAs can act as potential biomarkers of PC. Our aim in this study was to investigate microRNAs as a biomarker in the early diagnosis of PC. Patients and method: Nine patients diagnosed with pancreas cancer and nine healthy individuals of the same age and gender were selected as the control group. Six miRNAs (let-7c, miR-34a miR-125b, miR-141, miR-145, miR-155) selected and MiR 181 and miR 192 used as the endogenous control group. Results: In our study, when compared with endogenous controls, Mir125b was found to be significantly upregulated, while Mir141 was found to be significantly downregulated. As conlusion; Mir125b and MiR-141 may have an important role inThe current study was funded by Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Science and Industry, KOSGEB Antalya Directorate within the scope of the project entitled “MicroRNA kits in the early diagnosis of cancer” conducted by AGTC Özel Genetik Sağlık Hizm. Tur. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti. Grand Number: 0080785533