The importance of predictive markers in incarcerated abdominal wall hernia.

PURPOSE: Emergency abdominal wall hernia repairs play a significant role in general surgical emergencies. In such cases, the time taken to decide on surgery is crucial, as the situation may progress to necrosis, perforation, and organ resection due to strangulation following incarceration. To facilitate the early detection of this condition, studies have been conducted on various predictive markers, most of which are related to similar markers used in acute mesenteric ischemia. This study aims to assess the predictive significance of preoperative laboratory and imaging findings in incarcerated abdominal wall hernia with strangulation. METHODS: Retrospectively, 122 patients who underwent emergency surgery for incarcerated abdominal wall hernias with a preoperative diagnosis between January 1, 2018, and September 1, 2023, at the General Surgery Clinic of Samsun University Education and Research Hospital were included in the study. According to the examination of the operation notes, Group I was designated for patients who underwent bowel resection, Group II for those who underwent omental resection, and Group III for those without resection. The study investigated the association between patients 'age, gender, hernia type and side, preoperative laboratory parameters (pH, Base Excess (BE), Lactate, White Blood Cell Count (WBC), Neutrophil (N), Lymphocyte (L), Monocyte (M), Platelet (P), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and pH/BE, pH/Lactate, Lactate/BE, N/L, N/M, L/M, N/CRP, M/P, P/CRP ratios), physical examination (PE), and imaging findings among the resection groups. RESULTS: Out of the 122 patients operated with a preliminary diagnosis of acute incarcerated abdominal wall hernia, 68 were female, 34 were male, and the median age was found to be 67.16 (30-99). In the conducted statistical analysis, mean values of Lactate (p = 0.007), WBC (White Blood Cell) (p = 0.001), Neutrophil (p < 0.001), and NLR (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio) (p = 0.003) were significantly different based on resection groups. Subsequent pairwise comparisons indicated that these differences were attributed to variations in mean values of Lactate, WBC, Neutrophil, and NLR between the Bowel Resection and Resectionless groups. Mean values of Monocytes were also significantly different among resection groups (p = 0.049), and pairwise comparisons revealed that this difference was due to variations in mean values of Monocytes between the Omental Resection and Resectionless groups. The cut-off values were determined as follows in the ROC analysis: 1.2 mmol/L for Lactate, 18.5 (10^9/L) for WBC, 8.1 (10^9/L) for Neutrophil and 10 mg/L for CRP concerning bowel resection. CONCLUSION: In cases of abdominal wall hernia operations due to incarceration, bowel and/or intra-abdominal organ resections related to strangulation can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Beyond the imaging methods available for preoperative assessment, high levels of laboratory parameters, including Lactate, WBC, Neutrophil, and NLR ratio, may primarily indicate the need for bowel resection, considering that omental resection is associated with lower morbidity and mortality compared to bowel resection, elevated levels of monocytes may primarily indicate the requirement for omental resection in emergency abdominal wall hernia surgery. We recommend that this be prioritized in emergency surgery to prevent complications such as bowel perforation and sepsis and improve clinical outcomes. The surgeon is advised to keep this in mind.

Psychological risk factors for upper extremity fractures in preschool children: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: In school-age children, upper extremity fractures are associated with both parental and child-related factors and represent a multifactorial entity. This study aims to explore the psychological risk factors associated with upper extremity fractures in preschool children. METHODS: This single-center, hospital-based, age-matched case-control study involved 55 cases of upper extremity fractures and 55 controls experiencing growing pains. Parents of the children participated in face-to-face interviews. We examined the potential as-sociations between scores on the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS), Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the risk of upper extremity fractures. RESULTS: Advanced parental age and lower household income emerged as risk factors for upper extremity fractures, while longer maternal educational attainment was identified as a protective factor. In the univariate analyses, elevated scores on the Autism-Spec-trum Quotient Communication subscale (AQ-C), overall AQ score, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Hyperactivity subscale (SDQ-H), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Emotional and Peer Problems subscale (SDQ-Int) were associated with an increased fracture risk (Odds Ratio [OR] (95% Confidence Interval [CI]): 1.15 (1.05-1.27), OR: 1.05 (1.01-1.09), OR: 1.25 (1.01-1.54), and OR: 1.19 (1.04-1.37), respectively). The AQ-C and SDQ-Int scales remained statistically significant as risk factors for upper ex-tremity fractures (OR: 1.15 (1.02-1.28) and OR: 1.21 (1.02-1.43), respectively) in the multivariate regression analyses. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that psychological factors affecting both parents and children could potentially increase the risk of upper extremity fractures in preschool children.

The role of the psychological attributes of parents and children, and fracture history in upper extremity fractures in school-age and adolescents: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the influence of parents and children's psychological attributes and previous fracture history on upper extremity fractures in school-aged and adolescent children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2022 and January 2023, a total of 194 participants consisting of 97 cases with upper extremity fractures (23 males, 74 females; median age: 10 years; range, 6 to 16 years) and 97 age-matched controls suffering from growing pains (47 males, 50 females; median age: 10 years; range, 6 to 16 years) were included in this case-control study. Both cases and controls were of school-age or over. The parents of the children were interviewed face-to-face using psychological scales including the Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Short Form of the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R:S), and the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 (DCDQ'07). The results derived from these scales and the demographics of the participants were evaluated in terms of their association with the risk of upper extremity fractures. RESULTS: A household income below the official minimum monthly wage (MMW) and a previous fracture history showed a higher risk for upper extremity fractures (odds ratio [OR]=2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-5.26 and OR=24.93, 95% CI: 3.27-189.98, respectively). In the univariate analyses, elevated scores on the hyperactivity subscale of CPRS-R:S (CPRS-R:SHS) were associated with a higher fracture risk (OR=1.14, 95% CI: 1.05-1.24). Furthermore, both a household income below MMW, a previous fracture history, and higher CPRS-R:S-HS scores were found as independent risk factors for upper extremity fractures in the multivariate regression analysis (OR=2.78, 95% CI: 1.13-6.86, OR=21.79, 95% CI: 2.73-174.03), and OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.22, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study results highlight the importance of known risk factors for upper extremity fractures such as lower monthly wage and the presence of previous fractures. The psychological states of parents and children should be evaluated together.

Acetabular index and acetabular depth ratio in newborns and infants aged 6 months or less with the healthy development of hips: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Radiographic assessment of the hip may render critical in the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in newborns and infants aged ≤6 months. There is no complete dataset on the acetabular index (AI) and acetabular depth ratio (ADR) values in this age group. The objective of this study was to assess the AI and ADR values in newborns and infants aged ≤6 months with healthy development. A retrospective analysis was performed on pelvic radiographs of newborns and infants (≤6 months) between August 2020 and September 2021. There were 3000 children with pelvic radiographic imaging. Normal sonographic findings and radiographs without any structural deformity of the hip were inclusion criteria. A total of 1132 newborns and infants (2264 hips) were analyzed. Measurements of AI and ADR (ischium and pubic bone as landmarks for acetabular depth ratio A [ADR-A] and acetabular depth ratio B [ADR-B]) were performed. Correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were calculated. Left-sided AI values were significantly higher than the right-sided AI values, except in infants aged 4 to ≤5 months (P < .05). ADR-B values differed significantly between male and female newborns and infants both in terms of the side of the hip measured and age (P < .05). AI values were fairly correlated with age (r = -0.286 for left and r = -0.254 for right) in the negative direction and with ADR-A (r = 0.449 and r = 0.469 for left and right) and ADR-B (r = 0.545 and r = 0.592 for left and right) in the positive direction. Inter-observer ICC was 0.845 to 0.989 (excellent) for AI, 0.534 and 0.904 (moderate to excellent) for ADR-A, and -0.014 and 0.774 (slightly good to good) for ADR-B. Intra-observer ICC was 0.811 to 0.996 (excellent) for AI, 0.575 to 0.98 (moderate to excellent) for ADR-A, and 0.023 to 0.954 (slightly good to excellent) for ADR-B. This study features the first complete data set of AI and ADR measurements, which are essential for pelvic radiographic imaging of hip dysplasia, in newborns and infants aged ≤6 months.

The promising effects of BMP2 transfected mesenchymal stem cells on human osteosarcoma.

Selective targeting of transfected mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) carrying specific antioncogenes to the tumor was suggested as a treatment option. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) was shown to inhibit the proliferation and aggressiveness of osteosarcoma (OS) cells. Here, we aimed to assess the homing efficiency of intraperitoneally administered hMSCs transfected with BMP2 to the tumoral site and their effects on OS using an orthotopic xenograft murine model. Orthotopic xenograft murine model of OS in six-week-old female NOD/SCID mice using 143B cells was established. hMSCs transfected with BMP2 (BMP2+hMSC) were used. In vivo experiments performed on four groups of mice that received no treatment, or intraperitoneally administered BMP2, hMSCs, and BMP2+hMSCs. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were used to evaluate the pathological identification and to assess the dimensions and necrotic foci of the tumor, the features of lung metastases, and immunostaining against p27, Ki-67, and caspase-3 antibodies. The osteogenic differentiation markers BMP2, BMP4, COL1A1, OPN, OCN and PF4 evaluated using RT-PCR. The tumor dimensions in the hMSCs group were significantly higher than those of the remaining groups (p < 0.01). The number of metastatic foci in the BMP2+hMSCs group was significantly lower than those of the other groups (p < 0.01). The current results showed that the intraperitoneal route could be efficiently used for targeting hMSCs to the tumoral tissues for effective BMP2 delivery. In this study, the effects of BMP2 transfected hMSCs on human OS and metastasis were promising for achieving osteogenic differentiation and reduced metastatic process.

Difference in the results of repair made with single or double rows according to the shape and size of the tear in arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the results of patients applied with arthroscopic full layer total layer rotator cuff repair made according to the shape and size of the tear.The study included a total of 120 patients applied with arthroscopic full layer rotator cuff repair as single or double row repair. The patients were separated into 3 groups of 40 according to the shape of the tear, as Group A (crescent type), Group B (U type), and Group C (L type).The mean age of the whole sample was 66.68 ±â€Š6.86 years (range, 50-81 years). A statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of constant murley (CM), American shoulder and elbow surgeons score (ASES), and University of California Los Angeles score (UCLA) scores (P < .05). The scores of Group A of all the scales were found to be higher than those of Group C (P < .05). In single row and double row repair of small and medium-sized tears of all shapes, no significant difference was determined in respect of the CM and UCLA scores (P > .05).No significant difference was determined between single and double row repair of crescent type tears of all sizes. In large U-shaped tears, the CM, ASES, and UCLA scores were determined to be high in double row repair.

Evaluation of poly(ethylene diamine-trimesoyl chloride)-modified diatomite as efficient adsorbent for removal of rhodamine B from wastewater samples.

Diatomite (D) as a low-cost and eco-friendly clay was modified by ethylene diamine (EDA)-trimesoyl chloride (TMC) polymer to achieve a novel adsorbent for efficient removal of rhodamine B dye (RB) from wastewater samples. The EDA-TMC polymer was grafted to the surface of diatomite by in situ interfacial polymerization. The prepared p(EDA-TMC)/D adsorbent was characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM/EDX techniques. The effective experimental parameters on the adsorption performance were optimized with factorial design analysis. The equilibrium data were better correlated by non-linear Langmuir model compared to non-linear Freundlich model. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity of the p(EDA-TMC)/D adsorbent was determined as 371.8 mg g-1. The key adsorption parameters were optimized by experimental design analysis. The kinetic findings showed the adsorption mechanism of RB onto p(EDA-TMC)/D adsorbent was well designated by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic results indicate that the RB adsorption had an exothermic character in thermal nature and was less favorable with increasing temperature from 20 to 60 °C. Furthermore, the adsorption/desorption yield of p(EDA-TMC)/D was still 80%/70% after 5th cycle and reduced to 60%/52% at the end of 8th cycle. Thus, the present study revealed that the developed p(EDA-TMC)/D composite had great adsorption potential for removal of RB from wastewater samples compared to that of different kinds of adsorbents reported in the literature.

Diagnostic efficacy of apparent diffusion coefficient measurements in differentiation of malignant intra-axial brain tumors

Background/aim: To evaluate diagnostic efficacy of the apparent diffusion coefficient measurements from tumor (ADCt) and tumor circumference hyperintensities (ADCtch) in different types of malignant intra-axial brain tumors. Materials and methods: Between April 2013 and June 2017, 125 patients (52 females (41.6%) and 73 males (58.4%); mean age: 53 years, age range: 14-81 years), who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with intracranial mass, were retrospectively evaluated. The mean ADCt and ADCtch values and ratios were measured. Results: Of the 125 patients, 22 (17.6%) had a low-grade glioma (LGG), 55 (44%) had a high-grade glioma (HGG), 32 (25.6%) had metastasis, and 16 (12.8%) had lymphoma diagnosis. There was a statistically significant difference in LGG and HGG in terms of mean ADCt and mean ADCtch values, and ratios. ADCtch values and ratios showed a statistically significant difference in the differentiation of HGG and metastasis and in the differentiation of HGG and lymphoma. According to ROC curve analysis, a cut-off value of 1.49 × 10−3 mm2/s for the mean ADCtch value generated the best combination of 70% sensitivity and 71% specificity for differentiation of HGGs and metastasis. The mean ADCtch value had the highest statistical predictive value for differentiation of HGGs and lymphoma with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 76% for the optimal cut-off value of 0.82 × 10ˉ3 mm2/s. Conclusion: The mean ADCt ratio allowed reliable differentiation of LGG and high grade brain tumors, including HGGs, metastases, and lymphoma. The mean ADCtch might be a better imaging biomarker in the differentiation of HHG from metastasis and lymphoma.

At what point during total knee arthroplasty operations are gloves most frequently torn?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the time points during a total knee arthroplasty operation when there is the greatest possibility of tearing a surgical glove and thus the stage of the operation at which there is the greatest risk of infection. METHODS: The study included 300 total knee arthroplasty cases performed by 10 orthopedic surgeons. Using a chronometer during the operation, the upper layer of each surgical glove was removed and inflated with sterile saline at 10-min intervals. When a tear was determined, a record was made of the time it occurred, the stage of the operation, the finger that was torn, and the side (right or left hand). RESULTS: The mean time of the glove perforation was 40.74 ± 10.69 min. Glove tears occurred at the rate of 28.9% (n = 39) in the thumb, 63.7% (n = 86) in the index finger, 2.2% (n = 3) in the middle finger, and 5.2% (n = 7) in the ring finger. The tears occurred after the femoral cut in 8.1% (n = 11), after the tibial cut in 14.8% (n = 20), at the stage of trial component reduction in 52.6% of cases (n = 71), after placement of the prosthesis in 7.4% (n = 10), and at the closure stage in 17% (n = 23) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The fingers requiring the most care during total knee arthroplasty are the thumb and index finger. The stages of the operation with the greatest risk for glove tears are trial component reduction and wound closure. Changing gloves after these high-risk surgical stages would help to decrease the risk of periprosthetic infections. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV/Case series.

Is experience alone sufficient to diagnose developmental dysplasia of the hip without the bony roof (alpha angle) and the cartilage roof (beta angle) measurements?: A diagnostic accuracy study.

In the Graf method of hip ultrasonography, the diagnosis of the infantile hip with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is strictly dependent on the bony roof (alpha angle) and the cartilage roof (beta angle) measurements. In this study, we investigated whether the infant hip could be diagnosed with DDH solely by evaluating ultrasound images obtained in the standard plane, without bony roof and cartilage roof measurements, in respect to different professional experience levels.Two hundred ten hip ultrasounds were randomly selected from patients who presented to our hospital for DDH screening. A total of 6 ultrasound images were obtained for each hip. The hip morphology evaluations were made without the bony roof and the cartilage roof measurements by 2 orthopedic surgery residents; 2 orthopedic surgery specialists, trained in the diagnosis and the treatment of the DDH; and 2 pediatric orthopedic surgery professors, highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of DDH. After hip morphology evaluations, the bony roof and the cartilage roof measurements were obtained and hip type evaluations were made by the same raters, according to the Graf method of hip ultrasonography.The highest intraobserver agreements between the hip maturity evaluation before and the hip type evaluation after measurements were .676 (P < .001) and .577 (P < .001) in professors 2 and 1, respectively, and the lowest agreements were .185 (P < .01) and .289 (P < .001) in specialist 1 and resident 2, respectively.The diagnosis of the infant hip as DDH could not be made solely by evaluation of the ultrasound images obtained in the standard plane without the bony roof and the cartilage roof measurements. The bony roof and the cartilage roof measurements were obligatory for the diagnosis of the infant hip as DDH, even in the very experienced pediatric orthopedic surgeons.Level of evidence: 2.

Is it difficult to obtain inter-observer agreement in the measurement of the beta angle in ultrasound evaluation of the paediatric hip?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the differences and consistencies in the morphological and angular interpretations of standard USG images. Therefore, it was aimed to show the correlations of orthopaedic doctors with different periods of experience in hip ultrasound measurements taken with the Graf method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 210 infants randomly selected from those who presented at our hospital for DDH screening. A total of 6 ultrasound images were taken for each hip. These images were evaluated by  two paediatric orthopaedic professors, two orthopaedic specialists and two orthopaedic residents. The correlations of these measurements between all the doctors were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: In beta angle evaluation, agreement between all the evaluators was at the level of 0.054. No agreement was seen between the two residents or between the two specialists (p = 0.003, p = 0.998, p = 0.998, respectively). Agreement between the two professors was determined at the level of 0.508 (p < 0.001). Agreement was determined at the level of 0.066 between the specialists and the residents. No agreement was observed between the specialists and the professors or between the professors and the residents (p = 0.014, p = 0.098, p = 0.737, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that greater emphasis on the beta angle, the cartilage labrum, and more detailed explanations of this subject in the resident training program will achieve standardisation on this subject, and this is in direct proportion to clinical experience. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Efficacy of chemical shift MRI for differentiating diffuse red bone marrow reconversion and hematological malignancies

Background/aim: The main purpose of our study was to determine the efficacy of chemical shift imaging (CSI) for differentiating diffuse red bone marrow reconversion (RBMR) and hematological malignancies. We also aimed to calculate the cut-off value for these entities with similar imaging features in routine magnetic resonance (MR) sequences. Materials and methods: A total of 54 patients were included: 17 patients (31.4%) with hematological malignancies (group 1), 16 patients (29.6%) with RBMR (group 2), and 21 patients (38.0%) with no clinical and hematological malignancies (control group). Patients with no pathological data or completed two-year follow-up and children were excluded from the study. An experienced radiologist on MRI evaluated the images blindly for final diagnosis. Pathologic results were determined as gold standard. Regions of interests (ROI) were placed on the vertebrae in CSI and signal intensity ratios (SIR) were calculated. The cut-off value was calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: SIR values were 0.97 ± 0.16, 0.69 ± 0.31 and 0.28 ± 0.35 (P < 0.001) for GI, G2, and G3, respectively. The cut-off value was 0.82 (P < 0.001). The sensitivity rate was 83.3% (AUC: 58%­96%), specificity was 87% (AUC: 58­98). Conclusion: CSI may be a valuable diagnostic tool for differentiating diffuse RBMR and hematological malignancies.

Risk factors for noncatheter-related Candida bloodstream infections in intensive care units: A multicenter case-control study.

Candida bloodstream infections are associated with high mortality among critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Studies that explore the risk factors for candidemia may support better patient care in intensive care units. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter case-control study to investigate the risk factors for noncatheter-related Candida bloodstream infections (CBSI) in adult ICUs. Participants selected controls randomly on a 1:1 basis among all noncase patients stayed during the same period in ICUs. Data on 139 cases and 140 controls were deemed eligible. Among the controls, 69 patients died. The stratified Fine-Gray model was used to estimate the subdistribution Hazard ratios. The subdistribution hazards and 95% confidence intervals for final covariates were as follows: prior exposure to antimycotic agents, 2.21 (1.56-3.14); prior exposure to N-acetylcysteine, 0.11 (0.03-0.34) and prior surgical intervention, 1.26 (0.76-2.11). Of the patients, those exposed to antimycotic drugs, 87.1% (54/62) had breakthrough candidemia. Serious renal, hepatic, or hematologic side effects were comparable between patients those exposed and not-exposed to systemic antimycotic drugs. Untargeted administration of antimycotic drugs did not improve survival among candidemic patients (not-exposed, 63.6% [49/77]; exposed % 66.1 [41/62]; P = .899). This study documented that exposure to an antifungal agent is associated with increased the risk of subsequent development of CBSIs among nonneutropenic adult patients admitted to the ICU. Only two centers regularly prescribed N-acetylcysteine. Due to the limited number of subjects, we interpreted the positive effect of N-acetylcysteine on the absolute risk of CBSIs with caution.

A Severe Congenital Neutropenia Type 4 Case (G6PC3 Mutation) Presented With Large Platelets in the Peripheral Smear.

Severe congenital neutropenia type 4 is a disorder of the hematopoietic system associated with mutations in the glucose-6-phosphatase catabolic 3 (G6PC3) gene. This disorder is characterized by neutropenia, congenital heart defects, urogenital malformations, and prominent superficial veins. To our knowledge, although intermittent thrombocytopenia is observed in this mutation, the coexistence of large thrombocytes is rarely seen. Here we present a case of severe congenital neutropenia type 4 with G6PC3 mutation and large platelets in the peripheral smear.

Comparison of dose distributions hippocampus in high grade gliomas irradiation with linac-based imrt and volumetric arc therapy: a dosimetric study.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of sparing contralateral hippocampus during partial brain radiotherapy in high grade gliomas. 20 previously treated patients were replanned to 60 Gy in 30 fractions with sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arctherapy (VMAT) using the following planning objectives: 100 % of PTV covered by 95% isodose without violating organs at risk (OAR) and hot spot dose constraints. For each, standard intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans were generated, as well as sparing IMRT and VMAT plans which spared contralateral (hemispheric cases) hippocampus. When the three plans were compared, there was equivalent PTV coverage, homogeneity, and conformality. Sparing IMRT significantly reduced maximum, mean, V20, V30 and V40 hippocampus doses compared with standart IMRT and VMAT (p < 0.05). VMAT significantly reduced maximum left lens and mean eye doses compared with standart IMRT and sparing IMRT (p < 0.05). Brainstem, chiasm, left and right optic nerves, right eyes and lens doses were similar. VMAT significantly reduced monitor units compared with standart IMRT and sparing IMRT (p < 0.05). It is possible to spare contralateral hippocampus during PBRT for high grade gliomas using IMRT. This approach may reduce late cognitive sequelae of cranial radiotherapy.

Plantar fascia coronal length: a new parameter for plantar fascia assessment.

The effects of gender and various anthropometric variables were previously reported as significant predictors of plantar fascia thickness. Although a strong correlation between either the body weight or body mass index (BMI) and plantar fascia thickness were not demonstrated, a moderate relation was stated. We retrospectively investigated the role of gender, height, weight, and body mass index on plantar fascia thickness at the calcaneal origin (PFCO) and 1 cm distal from the calcaneal origin (PF1cm) and the coronal length of the plantar fascia at the calcaneal origin (CLPF) in healthy subjects. The PFCO, PF1cm, and CLPF were retrospectively measured from magnetic resonance images of 100 healthy subjects. The gender, height, weight, and body mass index of the participants were also noted. Gender was a predictive factor for the length of the CLPF. The subjects with a BMI >25 kg/m(2) had a significantly greater PFCO, PF1cm, and CLPF. Height was mildly and BMI and weight were moderately related to the PFCO. However the CLPF showed a better correlation with height, BMI, and weight than that of plantar fascia thickness. CLPF better reflected the role of weight, BMI, and height than its thickness. It is a new parameter that could be valuable in the evaluation of plantar fascia disorders.

Giant cell tumor of the occipital bone: A case report and review of the literature.

Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are usually found in the epiphysis of the long bones, and represent ~5% of all bone tumors. Only <1% of GCTs are localized in the cranium. When localized in the cranium, GCTs are commonly observed in the sphenoid or temporal bones, and rarely in the parietal or frontal bones. Occipital bone posterior fossa involvement is an extremely rare occurrence. The current study presents a 22-year-old female patient was admitted to the Department of Radiation Oncology (Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey) with complaints of neck pain and headache. The patients cranial magnetic resonance images showed a 2.5 6-cm mass in the occipital bone, which was subtotally excised. The patient was treated with radiotherapy following the surgery. At present, the patient has shown no progression after 20 months of follow-up.

Equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic studies on aluminum biosorption from aqueous solution by brown algae (Padina pavonica) biomass.

This paper presents the equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic studies on aluminum biosorption from aqueous solution by brown algae (Padina pavonica) biomass. Optimum biosorption conditions were determined as a function of pH, biomass dosage, contact time, and temperature. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models were applied to describe the biosorption isotherm of Al(III) by P. pavonica biomass. The biosorption capacity of P. pavonica biomass was found as 77.3mg/g. The metal ions were desorbed from P. pavonica using 1M HCl. The high stability of P. pavonica permitted a slight decrease about 20% in the recovery of Al(III) ions after 10 times of adsorption-elution process. The mean free energy value evaluated from the D-R model indicated that the biosorption of Al(III) onto P. pavonica biomass was taken place by chemical ion exchange. The calculated thermodynamic parameters, DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees showed that the biosorption of Al(III) onto P. pavonica biomass was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic under examined conditions. Experimental data was also tested in terms of biosorption kinetics using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The results showed that the biosorption processes of Al(III) onto P. pavonica biomass followed well pseudo-second-order kinetics.

Mediastinal lymph nodes: assessment with diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine whether the diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is useful to distinguish between malignant and benign mediastinal lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients (14 women, 21 men; mean age 52 years) with 91 lymph nodes in the mediastinum detected by computed tomography underwent 1.5 Tesla (T) diffusion-weighted MR imaging before mediastinoscopy (n = 29) and mediastinotomy (n = 6). Diffusion-weighted MR images were acquired with a b factor of 50, and 400 s/mm(2) using single-shot echo-planar sequence. RESULTS: Of the 35 patients, 18 had diagnosis of malignant tumor. Of the 18 patients with tumor, 8 had nonsmall cell carcinoma, and 10 had small cell carcinoma. Ninety-one mediastinal lymph nodes were detected in the 35 untreated patients: 19 were pathologically diagnosed as metastatic lymph nodes, and 72 lymph nodes were diagnosed as nonmetastatic lymph nodes, including 50 sarcoidosis, 14 reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, and 8 necrotizing granulamatous lymphadenitis. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was significantly lower in metastatic lymph nodes (1.012 +/- 0.025 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s; P < 0.0005) than in benign lymph nodes (1.511 +/- 0.075 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s). On the ADC map, malignant nodes showed hyperintense (n = 2, 10.52%), hypointense (n = 14, 73.68%), and mixed intensity (n = 3; 15.78%), whereas benign nodes showed hyperintense (n = 57; 79.16%), hypointense (n = 3; 41.6%), isointense (n = 6; 8.33%), and mixed intensity (n = 6; 8.33%). CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted MR with ADC value and signal intensity can be useful in differentiation of malignant and benign mediastinal lymph nodes.