Brain computer interface based robotic rehabilitation with online modification of task speed

We present a systematic approach that enables online modification/adaptation of robot assisted rehabilitation exercises by continuously monitoring intention levels of patients utilizing an electroencephalogram (EEG) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). In particular, we use Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) to classify event-related synchronization (ERS) and desynchronization (ERD) patterns associated with motor imagery; however, instead of providing a binary classification output, we utilize posterior probabilities extracted from LDA classifier as the continuous-valued outputs to control a rehabilitation robot. Passive velocity field control (PVFC) is used as the underlying robot controller to map instantaneous levels of motor imagery during the movement to the speed of contour following tasks. In other words, PVFC changes the speed of contour following tasks with respect to intention levels of motor imagery. PVFC also allows decoupling of the task and the speed of the task from each other, and ensures coupled stability of the overall robot patient system. The proposed framework is implemented on AssistOn-Mobile - a series elastic actuator based on a holonomic mobile platform, and feasibility studies with healthy volunteers have been conducted test effectiveness of the proposed approach. Giving patients online control over the speed of the task, the proposed approach ensures active involvement of patients throughout exercise routines and has the potential to increase the efficacy of robot assisted therapies

Effect of visitor activities on topsoil hydrophysical properties in two protected areas in northern blacksea region

In this study, the effects of visitor acitivities on topsoil hydrophysical properties in two protected areas in northern Bleacksea region were investigated. For this purpose, soil samples taken from study area that was characterized as heavily trafficked site (HTS), moderately trafficked sites (MTS) and control (non-trafficked site). The soil bulk density and soil penetration resistance increased from 1.02 to 1.39 g cm–3 and 0.66 to 1.55 MPa, respectively, saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased from 60.60 to 10.35 mm h–1 in moderately and heavily trafficked sites, respectively, at 0–10 cm soil depth in Ayder protected area. The soil bulk density and soil penetration resistance increased from 0.85 to 1.40 g cm–3 and 0.68 to 1.50 MPa, respectively, saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased from 58.75 to 10.35 mm h–1 in moderately and heavily trafficked sites, respectively, at 0–10 cm soil depth in Kafkasor protected area. The intensity of visitor activities had a negative impact on topsoil hydrophysical properties in the study area in Ayder and Kafkasor. The principles of management in Ayder and Kafkasor protected areas should be revised, and use of this area without a plan should be stopped as soon as possible

Is there an association between two-STAT4 gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis in turkish population?

[No Abstract Available

Control of a BCI-based upper limb rehabilitation system utilizing posterior probabilities (BBA tabanlı üst uzuv rehabilitasyon sisteminin sonsal olasılık değerleri kullanılarak kontrolü)

In this paper, an electroencephalogram (EEG) based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is integrated with a robotic system designed to target rehabilitation therapies of stroke patients such that patients can control the rehabilitation robot by imagining movements of their right arm. In particular, the power density of frequency bands are used as features from the EEG signals recorded during the experiments and they are classified by Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). As one of the novel contributions of this study, the posterior probabilities extracted from the classifier are directly used as the continuous-valued outputs, instead of the discrete classification output commonly used by BCI systems, to control the speed of the therapeutic movements performed by the robotic system. Adjusting the exercise speed of patients online, as proposed in this study, according to the instantaneous levels of motor imagery during the movement, has the potential to increase efficacy of robot assisted therapies by ensuring active involvement of patients. The proposed BCI-based robotic rehabilitation system has been successfully implemented on physical setups in our laboratory and sample experimental data are presented

Cognitive functions in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients and unaffected siblings

Attention, learning, and perceptual problems have been reported at various degrees and rates in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We aimed to define the cognitive profiles frequently associated with NF1. Children and adolescents with NF1 (n=58) were tested using Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children- Revised (WISC-R), Judgment of Line Orientation, and Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt tests. Comparison groups were unaffected siblings of NF1 patients (n=20), children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, n=40), and normal children (n=40). No difference was found between familial or sporadic NF1 cases. Seventeen/58 (29%) of NF1 cases had a full scale IQ 80 (n=27) scored lower in WISC-R subtests measuring visual perception when compared to a healthy control group of similar intelligence, and lower in arithmetic but better in Bender-Gestalt and Judgment of Line Orientation tests when compared to an ADHD group of similar intelligence. These results indicate a high prevalence of mental retardation in a clinical NF1 series. NF1 patients who have normal intelligence may have impaired visual perception, but their visual perceptual problems are less than in ADHD. The tendency of unaffected siblings of NF1 patients to have mildly but consistently low test scores compared to healthy controls needs to be studied further for underlying genetic or environmental factors

Management of priapism: Results of a nationwide survey and comparison with international guidelines

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate current urologic practice regarding the management of priapism in Turkey and compare with international guidelines. Methods: Urologists and urology residents were invited to an online survey consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions on priapism-related clinical practices that were considered most important and relevant to practices by using Google Forms. Results: Total number of responses was 340. Respondents reported that they recorded a detailed patient’s medical history and physical examination findings (n = 340, 100%) and laboratory testing, which includes corporal blood gas analysis (n = 323, 95%). Participants announced that they performed Doppler ultrasound for 1/4 cases (n = 106, 31%), but 22% of the participants (n = 75) replied that they performed in >75% of cases. Participants (n = 311, 91%) responded that the first-line treatment of ischemic priapism is decompression of the corpus cavernosum. Moreover, most respondents (n = 320, 94%) stated that sympathomimetic injection drugs should be applied as the second step. About three-quarters of respondents (n = 247, 73%) indicated adrenaline as their drug of choice. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors seems to be the most preferred drug for stuttering priapism (n = 141, 41%). Participants (n = 284, 84%) replied that corpora-glanular shunts should be preferred as the first. A large number of participants (n = 239, 70%) declared that magnetic resonance imaging can be performed in cases with delayed (>24 hours) priapism to diagnose corporal necrosis. Most of the participants (84%) responded that penile prosthesis should be preferred to shunts in cases with delayed (>48 hours) priapism. Conclusion: It would be appropriate to improve the training offered by professional associations and to give more training time to the management of priapism during residency

The Effects of a 'Transient Ischemic Attack Unit' on the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Stroke and Other Vascular Events

Objective: Identifying the etiology and early treatment following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke may prevent patients from having a disabling ischemic stroke. The primary aim of this study was to increase awareness of the symptoms of TIA and minor ischemic stroke and provide early intervention via a TIA unit. In addition, the benefits provided by the TIA unit were analyzed in terms of prognosis and length of hospital stay. Materials and Methods: Before beginning the study, brochures and posters containing information about the symptoms of a TIA and minor ischemic stroke, along with the mobile phone number of a research fellow, were distributed in the clinics and hung on the main boards of the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Hospitals. A presentation on the TIA unit was also given to the healthcare professionals of the hospitals. Afterward, 69 patients consecutively admitted with symptoms of a TIA or minor ischemic stroke [with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≤5] between September 16, 2019, and September 15, 2020, were prospectively included in the study group. The hospital charts of 90 consecutive patients admitted with a TIA or minor ischemic stroke (with an NIHSS score of ≤5) were retrospectively evaluated as the control group from September 16, 2018, to September 15, 2019. The timing of the etiological diagnoses and treatments, the length of the hospital stay, and the prognoses of these two groups of patients, one comprising patients admitted before and the other comprising patients admitted after the TIA unit was established, were compared. Results: The two groups had no significant difference in vascular events and mortality. However, in the logistic regression analysis, the length of the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the study group (P = 0.015). Conclusion: A TIA and a minor stroke should be recognized quickly, and diagnostic tests should be performed as soon as possible to shorten the period of the hospital stay and reduce the costs and complications related to longer hospitalization

Real-World Outcomes of Anti-VEGF Treatment for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Turkey: A Multicenter Retrospective Study, Bosphorus Retina Study Group Report No: 1

Objectives: To evaluate the real-world outcomes of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients. Materials and Methods: Multicenter, retrospective, interventional, non-comparative study. The records of nAMD patients treated with an anti-VEGF agent on a pro re nata treatment regimen basis between January 2013 and December 2015 were reviewed. The patients who completed a follow-up period of 12 months were included. Primary outcome measures of this study were the visit and injection numbers during the first year. Results: Eight hundred eighty eyes of 783 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. Mean number of visits at month 12 was 6.9±2.5 (range: 1-15). Mean number of injections at month 12 was 4.1±1.9 (range: 1-11). Mean visual acuity at baseline and months 3, 6, and 12 was 0.90±0.63 LogMAR (range: 0.0-3.0), 0.79±0.57 LogMAR (range: 0.0-3.0), 0.76±0.57 LogMAR (range: 0.0-3.0), and 0.79±0.59 LogMAR (range: 0.0-3.0), respectively. Mean central retinal thickness at baseline and months 6 and 12 was 395±153 μm (range: 91-1582), 330±115 μm (range: 99-975), and 332±114 μm (range: 106-1191), respectively. Conclusion: The numbers of visits and injections were much lower than ideal and were insufficient with the pro re nata treatment regimen