Investigation of the effect of circadian rhythm on the performances of NBA teams.

Professional athletes competing in the NBA are frequently exposed to time-zone-shifting travels. These time zone changes may cause circadian rhythm (CR) phase shifts and these shifts affect sportive performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CR phase shifts on the performance of NBA teams. 25016 regular season games across 21 consecutive seasons were included in the CR phase shift calculations. To examine the CR phase shift effect on team performance, teams were divided into three groups regarding Coordinated Universal Time (UTC): the same internal UTC as the local UTC (LS); the internal UTC ahead of the local UTC (LA); and the internal UTC behind the local UTC (LB). With a different approach, teams were divided into another three categories: the same internal UTC as its opponent's internal UTC (OS); the internal UTC ahead of its opponent's internal UTC (OA); and the internal UTC behind its opponent's internal UTC (OB). 24985 game data were used to compare these groups in terms of 25 variables. Statistical analyses were conducted separately for home and away teams. For home games, it was found that LA and OA are the most and LB is the least successful group in winning and scoring performances. For away games, it was determined that LS is the most advantageous group with the best winning percentage. These results revealed that teams from more west may have a CR advantage in regular season home games. However, it is thought that the performance of away teams depends more on travel fatigue than CR phase shifts.

Retrospective radiological analysis of cemento-osseous dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Osseous dysplasia (OD) is a form of fibro-osseous lesion located in the jaws that may interfere with the adjacent anatomical structures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of radiographic imaging features, the morphological characteristics and the lesion volume of OD with the use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included radiologically diagnosed lesions followed up for at least 1 year. The prevalence and distribution of the OD types were defined in terms of age, sex, lesion location, teeth, relationship with the anatomical structures, and lesion volume. RESULTS: The mean age gradually increased from the periapical group to the florid group (p = 0.018). It was observed that the mandible was the most frequently affected bone (85.5%) (p < 0.05). The margins of the lesions were well defined, and had an irregular or circular shape. The buccal cortical bone was the most affected structure (84.5%), and the damage in the cortical bone increased with an increase in the lesion volume. With regard to teeth, the most frequent disorder was a discontinuous lamina dura (83.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Osseous dysplasia lesions affect a wide range of different anatomical areas, and show different volume and morphometric characteristics.

Comparison of external load measures per minute based on match seasonal periods and playing positions of a soccer Turkish super league team.

BACKGROUND: Turkish Super League teams need more information about the external load. Considering the specific country and the coaches' philosophies, the purpose of this study was to compare the external match load of a Turkish Super League team considering the different playing positions and in-season periods. METHODOLOGY: A longitudinal study design was employed by observing 29 official matches of the same team. A total of fifteen players, consisting of five defenders, five midfielders, and five forwards, were analyzed using the Sentio Sports Optical Tracking System. The following outcomes were extracted in each match: total distance (TD), walking [from 0 to 7.2 km/h], jogging [from 7.2 to 14.4 km/h], running [from 14.4 to 20 km/h], high speed running (HSR) [> 20 km/h], metabolic power (MP), maximum deceleration (Decmax) [Dec < -3 m/s2], total deceleration distance (Dectotal), maximum acceleration (Accmax) [Acc > 3 m/s2], and total acceleration distance (Acctotal). Statistical analysis consisted of ANOVA and Bonferroni correction post hoc tests. RESULTS: The main results showed that all variables were similar between periods of the season (p > 0.05) except for walking (p = 0.021 witha large effect size), which revealed lower values in the mid-season period. When analyzing periods of the season considering playing positions, there were several significant results for TD, walking, jogging, running, HSR, Dectotal and Acctotal (p < 0.05, with small to large effects). A tendency for higher values was noted in the mid and end-season. Considering the playing positions comparisons, midfielders showed higher values than defenders for TD, MP, Dectotal and Acctotal (p < 0.05 with large effect for all). Midfielders also showed higher values than forwards for TD, jogging, Dectotal and Acctotal (p < 0.05 with a large effect for all). CONCLUSIONS: The present study emphasizes the significance of analyzing data based on minute, playing position, and season period. Findings reveal that defenders consistently displayed the lowest values in all external load measures during matches compared to other positions throughout the season. Furthermore, midfielders demonstrated a higher activity profile during the initial and middle stages of the season compared to other positions, with a slight tendency to decrease load towards the end of the season.

Thrombotic risk assessment in antiphospholipid syndrome: do noncriteria antibodies contribute?

Background/aim: In this cross-sectional study, it was aimed to test the predictive value of noncriteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in addition to the global antiphospholipid syndrome score (GAPSS) in predicting vascular thrombosis (VT) in a cohort of patients with APS and aPL (+) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Material and methods: This study included 50 patients with primary APS, 68 with SLE/APS, and 52 with aPL (+) SLE who were classified according to VT as VT ± pregnancy morbidity (PM), PM only or aPL (+) SLE. Antiphospholipid serology consisting of lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin (aCL) immunoglobulin G (IgG)/IgM/IgA, antibeta2 glycoprotein I (aß2GPI) IgG/IgM/IgA, antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) IgG/IgM and antidomain-I (aDI) IgG was determined for each patient. The GAPSS and adjusted GAPSS (aGAPSS) were calculated for each patient, as previously defined. Logistic regression analysis was carried out with thrombosis as the dependent variable and high GAPSS, aCL IgA, aß2GPI IgA, and aDI IgG as independent variables. Results: The mean GAPSS and aGAPSS of the study population were 11.6 ± 4.4 and 9.6 ± 3.8. Both the VT ± PM APS (n = 105) and PM only APS (n = 13) groups had significantly higher GAPSS and aGAPSS values compared to the aPL (+) SLE (n = 52) group. The patients with recurrent thrombosis had higher aGAPSS but not GAPSS than those with a single thrombotic event. The computed area under the receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that a GAPSS ≥13 and aGAPSS ≥10 had the best predictive values for thrombosis. Logistic regression analysis including a GAPSS ≥13, aCL IgA, aß2GPI IgA, and aDI IgG showed that none of the factors other than a GAPSS ≥13 could predict thrombosis. Conclusion: Both the GAPSS and aGAPSS successfully predict the thrombotic risk in aPL (+) patients and aCL IgA, aß2GPI IgA, and aDI IgG do not contribute to high a GAPSS or aGAPSS.

Within-week differences in external training load demands in elite volleyball players.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the within-week differences in external training intensity in different microcycles considering different playing positions in women elite volleyball players. METHODS: The training and match data were collected during the 2020-2021 season, which included 10 friendly matches, 41 league matches and 11 champions league matches. The players' position, training/match duration, training/match load, local positioning system (LPS) total distance, LPS jumps, accelerations, decelerations, high metabolic load distance (HMLD), acute and chronic (AC) mean and AC ratio calculated with the rolling average (RA) method and the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) method, monotony and strain values were analyzed. RESULTS: All the variables except strain, Acc/Dec ratio and acute mean (RA) showed significant differences among distance to match days. Regarding the players' positions, the only difference was found in the AC ratio (EWMA); in all microcycles, the middle blocker player showed workload values when compared with the left hitter, setter and libero. CONCLUSION: Overall, the analysis revealed that the intensity of all performance indicators, except for strain, acc/dec and acute mean load (RA), showed significant differences among distance to match day with moderate to large effect sizes. When comparing players' positions, the middle blocker accumulated the lowest loads. There were no significant differences among other positions.

Retrospective Assessment of the Anatomy and Dimensions of Nasopalatine Canal with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal in axial, sagittal, and coronal sections with cone-beam computed tomography and to appraise the effect of gender, age, and dental status on the nasopalatine canal. Material and Methods: Overall 1000 patients with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were analysed retrospectively. The morphology of the nasopalatine canal (NPC) was classified according to sections. Its sizes were measured, and variations were evaluated. The variables obtained were statistically analysed. Results: It was observed that the most common NPC shape was the cylindrical type (47.1%) in sagittal sections, and the C-shaped canal (51.1%) in coronal sections. In the axial section, two Stenson foramen (45.2%) were observed most frequently, and the most common form was found as oval (60.7%). In sagittal sections, statistically significant differences were obtained between all morphometric measurements and shapes of the NPC except the angle of the canal. It was found that all morphometric measurements in sagittal and coronal sections were higher in men. Also, it was found that the NPC angle and NPC length decreased with tooth loss. Conclusions: The nasopalatine canal shows many variations, and its dimensions differ according to gender, age, and dental status. For this reason, before the surgical procedures are applied to the maxilla, it should be evaluated radiologically to prevent complications.

Classified metabolic power-based measures in professional football players: comparison between playing positions and match period.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was (i) provide reference data of metabolic power-based measures during professional football matches; and to (ii) analyze the between-position and between-halves differences of power-based measures during professional football matches. METHODS: Forty-six professional male players from two Turkish Super League teams were observed during two seasons, and 58 matches were analyzed. Total distance, equivalent distance, Low Power (LP), Intermediate Power (IP), High Power (HP), Elevated Power (EP), Max Power (MP) and power metabolic measures Pmet at different match moments were considered. RESULTS: Significant between-position differences were observed for IP (p: 0.000; d: 0.284), HP (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.45), EP (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.44), and for MP (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.56), with the central defenders (CD) showing the lower values, and the central midfielders (CM) showing the higher values for the overall measures. CONCLUSION: Power-based measures are dependent on playing positions. While the CD have lower Pmet values when compared to all positions, the CM have the greatest values. Training and recovery strategies must be ensured for CM players, especially those who have greater match participation.

Evaluation of endodontically treated teeth and related apical periodontitis using periapical and endodontic status scale: Retrospective cone-beam computed tomography study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical treatment quality and the status of apical pathology of endodontically treated teeth, as well as apical periodontitis (AP) prevalence, in a Turkish population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The CBCT images obtained between January 2018 and April 2020 were retrospectively examined. The quality of the endodontic treatments and the related periapical inflammatory lesions were classified according to the periapical and endodontic status scale (PESS). The data were statistically analysed using logistic regression, crosstabs and chi-square tests. AP was detected in 41% of 429 endodontically treated teeth. The prevalence of AP was significantly higher in teeth with inadequate root canal treatment compared with those with adequate treatment, 70.8% and 29.3%, respectively. Inadequate canal length and homogeneity, and complications were significantly associated with the prognostic periapical status scores of higher risk.

Description of damage in different clusters of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the different clinical phenotypes of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) by using cluster analysis and describe cumulative damage of disease clusters. METHODS: This retrospective study includes patients with APS (±systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)). Two-step cluster analysis was applied by considering clinical data. Damage was calculated for all patients by applying damage index for APS (DIAPS). RESULTS: A total of 237 patients (198 females; median age of 43 years; median follow-up of 9.5 years) were classified into four clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 74) consisted of older patients with arterial-predominant thrombosis, livedo reticularis, and increased cardiovascular risk; cluster 2 (n = 70) of SLE+APS patients with thrombocytopenia and heart valve disease; cluster 3 (n = 59) of patients with venous-predominant thrombosis, less extra-criteria manifestations; and cluster 4 (n = 34) of patients with only pregnancy morbidity with lower frequency of extra-criteria features and cardiovascular risk. Patients with SLE+APS (n = 123) had the highest mean DIAPS. Regarding clusters, 1 and 2 had high cumulative damage. While cumulative survival rates of clusters did not differ, cluster 2 and 3 had lower survival rates at further years. There was no correlation between DIAPS and mortality. CONCLUSION: SLE+APS patients with extra-criteria manifestations and older APS patients with arterial thrombosis and increased cardiovascular risk have higher cumulative damage. Effective treatment of SLE disease activity and control of cardiovascular risk may help to reduce cumulative damage in these patients.

Validation of the adjusted global antiphospholipid syndrome score in a single centre cohort of APS patients from Turkey.

The adjusted global antiphospholipid syndrome score (aGAPSS) is a recently developed thrombotic risk assessment score that considers the antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) profile and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the validity of the aGAPSS in predicting clinical manifestations (criteria and extra-criteria) of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in a single centre cohort of patients. Ninety-eight patients with APS ± systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were classified according to clinical manifestations as vascular thrombosis (VT), pregnancy morbidity (PM) or both (VT + PM). The aGAPSS was calculated for each patient as previously defined. Mean aGAPSS of the cohort was calculated as 10.2 ± 3.8. Significantly higher aGAPSS values were seen in VT (n = 58) and VT + PM (n = 29) groups when compared to PM (n = 11) group (10.6 ± 3.7 vs 7.4 ± 2.9, P = 0.005; 10.7 ± 4 vs 7.4 ± 2.9, P = 0.008, respectively), mainly due to lower frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors in PM. Higher aGAPPS values were also associated with recurrent thrombosis (11.6 ± 3.7 vs 9.9 ± 3.6, P = 0.04). Regarding extra-criteria manifestations, patients with livedo reticularis (n = 11) and APS nephropathy (n = 9) had significantly higher aGAPSS values (12.9 ± 3.4 vs 9.9 ± 3.7, P = 0.02; 12.4 ± 2.9 vs 10 ± 3.8, P = 0.04, respectively). The computed AUC demonstrated that aGAPSS values ≥10 had the best diagnostic accuracy for thrombosis. Our results suggest that patients with higher aGAPSS values are at higher risk for developing vascular thrombosis (either first event or recurrence) and extra-criteria manifestations, especially livedo reticularis and APS nephropathy.

Cone-beam computed tomographic evaluation of accessory mental foramen in a Turkish population.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and location of accessory mental foramen (AMF) in a Turkish population using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). METHOD: CBCT images of 1005 patients were retrospectively reviewed from the archive of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Izmir Katip Celebi University. The prevalence, size, and localization of AMFs were assessed according to gender and age. In addition, the vertical and horizontal dimension of the mental foramen (MF) with and without AMF was measured to investigate the relationship between MF dimensions and the presence and absence of AMF. The average distance between the MF and AMF was also calculated. All measurements were then analyzed statistically. RESULTS: A total of 149 AMFs in 123 (12.23%) patients were identified on the CBCT images of the 1005 patients reviewed. There was no significant correlation between presence of AMF and gender (p = 0.152). The most common localization of an AMF with respect to the MF was posterio-inferior (n = 52; 34.89%). A statistically significant difference was also found between the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the MF with and without AMF (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate the high prevalence of AMF in the studied Turkish population. Considering the high prevalence and the structures passing through it, recognition of AMF and its detection using CBCT is important to prevent complications that may occur during and after surgical procedures.

The Accuracy of New and Aged Mechanical Torque Devices Employed in Five Dental Implant Systems.

PURPOSE: Friction-style and spring-style torque wrenches are used to tighten implant abutments and prosthetic screws. The mechanical stability of these torque wrenches is crucial for the implant-abutment connection. The purposes of this study were to assess the performance of five brands (Straumann, Zimmer, Implant KA, Bredent, and Biohorizons) of wrench and to evaluate possible changes in applied torque values of aged wrenches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five new and aged wrenches that had been used approximately 250 times in a 1-year period were tested. The torque applied by friction- and spring-style wrenches was measured with a specially designed strain gauge indicator. Descriptive statistics, the one-sample t-test, and the independent-samples t-test were used to analyze values obtained from all torque wrenches. RESULTS: The accuracy of new and aged torque devices of all brands except Bredent differed significantly from the target values, but the mean values for aged and new wrenches did not differ significantly from each other (p > 0.05). Values for the spring- and friction-type torque wrenches deviated from the target values by 11.6% and 10.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of aged torque wrenches is adequate for prosthetic screw tightening, but that of new torque wrenches is unsatisfactory and must be examined carefully before delivery.

In Vitro Evaluation of Manual Torque Values Applied to Implant-Abutment Complex by Different Clinicians and Abutment Screw Loosening.

Preload is applied to screws manually or using a torque wrench in dental implant systems, and the preload applied must be appropriate for the purpose. The aim of this study was to assess screw loosening and bending/torsional moments applied by clinicians of various specialties following application of manual tightening torque to combinations of implants and abutments. Ten-millimeter implants of 3.7 and 4.1 mm diameters and standard or solid abutments were used. Each group contained five implant-abutment combinations. The control and experimental groups comprised 20 and 160 specimens, respectively. Implants in the experimental group were tightened by dentists of different specialties. Torsional and bending moments during tightening were measured using a strain gauge. Control group and implants with preload values close to the ideal preload were subjected to a dynamic loading test at 150 N, 15 Hz, and 85,000 cycles. The implants that deformed in this test were examined using an optical microscope to assess deformities. Manual tightening did not yield the manufacturer-recommended preload values. Dynamic loading testing suggested early screw loosening/fracture in samples with insufficient preload.

Comparison of Disease Characteristics, Organ Damage, and Survival in Patients with Juvenile-onset and Adult-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Combined Cohort from 2 Tertiary Centers in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Age at onset has been shown to affect the clinical course and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we aimed to define the differences in clinical characteristics, organ damage, and survival between patients with juvenile-onset (jSLE) and adult-onset SLE (aSLE). METHODS: For the study, 719 patients (76.9%) with aSLE and 216 (23.1%) with jSLE were examined. Comparisons between the groups were made for demographic characteristics, clinical features, auto-antibody profiles, damage, and survival rates. RESULTS: These results were significantly more frequent in jSLE: photosensitivity, malar rash, oral ulcers, renal involvement, neuropsychiatric (NP) manifestations, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Of the autoantibodies, a higher frequency of anti-dsDNA and anticardiolipin IgG and IgM were observed in the jSLE group. A significant proportion of patients with aSLE had anti-Sm positivity and pleuritis. The proportion of patients with jSLE who developed organ damage was comparable to that of patients with aSLE (53% vs 47%) and the mean damage scores were similar in both groups. Renal damage was significantly more frequent in jSLE while musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system damage and diabetes mellitus were more prominent in aSLE. Comparison of survival rates of the 2 groups did not reveal any significant differences. CONCLUSION: We report a higher frequency in the jSLE group of renal involvement, cutaneous symptoms, oral ulcers, NP manifestations, AIHA, and anti-dsDNA positivity. A significant proportion of patients in the jSLE group had damage, most prominently in the renal domain. Our findings might support different genetic/environmental backgrounds for these 2 subgroups.

Assessment of the trabecular structure of mandibular condyles in patients with temporomandibular disorders using fractal analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the trabecular structure of the mandibular condyle in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) using fractal analysis. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 100 patients ages 18 to 73 years were clinically assessed using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. The control group was age- and sex-matched with the patient group. Panoramic radiographs were obtained using a Kodak 8000 digital device with 73 kVp and 5 mA fixed parameters. The degree of degeneration in the mandibular condyles was calculated. Regions of interest (84 × 84 pixels) were selected within the cortical boundary of the mandibular condyle, and the fractal dimension (FD) was calculated using ImageJ version 1.48. RESULTS: Radiographic degenerative changes were more frequently present and more severe in the patient group (P < .001). The mean value of FD was 1.22 ± 0.06 in the patient group and 1.25 ± 0.06 in the control group (P = .001). A significant decrease in FD was observed (P = .001) in the left temporomandibular joints of the patient group, whereas a nonsignificant decrease in FD was observed in the right temporomandibular joints (P = .073) as degenerative changes increased. CONCLUSIONS: Lower FD values were associated with more severe degenerative changes in the patient group. The trabecular structure of condyles in patients with TMD exhibited decreased complexity when erosive and sclerotic changes were evident. As a result, fractal analysis enhanced the use of panoramic radiography in detecting degenerative changes in patients with TMD.

Cluster analysis of autoantibodies in 852 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a single center.

OBJECTIVE: Associations between autoantibodies and clinical features have been described in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we aimed to define autoantibody clusters and their clinical correlations in a large cohort of patients with SLE. METHODS: We analyzed 852 patients with SLE who attended our clinic. Seven autoantibodies were selected for cluster analysis: anti-DNA, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anticardiolipin (aCL) immunoglobulin (Ig)G or IgM, lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anti-Ro, and anti-La. Two-step clustering and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used. RESULTS: Five clusters were identified. A cluster consisted of patients with only anti-dsDNA antibodies, a cluster of anti-Sm and anti-RNP, a cluster of aCL IgG/M and LAC, and a cluster of anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies. Analysis revealed 1 more cluster that consisted of patients who did not belong to any of the clusters formed by antibodies chosen for cluster analysis. Sm/RNP cluster had significantly higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension and Raynaud phenomenon. DsDNA cluster had the highest incidence of renal involvement. In the aCL/LAC cluster, there were significantly more patients with neuropsychiatric involvement, antiphospholipid syndrome, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. According to the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics damage index, the highest frequency of damage was in the aCL/LAC cluster. Comparison of 10 and 20 years survival showed reduced survival in the aCL/LAC cluster. CONCLUSION: This study supports the existence of autoantibody clusters with distinct clinical features in SLE and shows that forming clinical subsets according to autoantibody clusters may be useful in predicting the outcome of the disease. Autoantibody clusters in SLE may exhibit differences according to the clinical setting or population.