Scientific awareness of marine accidents in Europe: A bibliometric and correspondence analysis.

Marine accidents are a significant issue that can lead to loss of life, damage to ships and cargo, and harm to the marine environment. To gain better understanding of scientific awareness of marine accidents occurred in European countries, this study conducted a bibliometric and correspondence analysis of the scientific literature. Bibliometric analysis was employed to examine various publications, which were released during the period between 2012 and December 2022. Moreover, correspondence analysis was used to classify and analyze marine accidents based on the severity and the consequence of the accidents. The findings indicate that scientific awareness of researchers in countries where serious and very serious marine accidents occur is also high. However, Norway stands out as the country with the highest scientific awareness of researchers despite experiencing marine accidents with less serious. The most significant factor contributing to the prominence of researchers here is their collaborations with researchers from other countries. Overall, this study sheds light on the need for further research and action to improve marine accident prevention. Collaborative efforts involving researchers, maritime stakeholders, and policymakers are necessary to address the complex challenges of marine accidents and to ensure the maritime safety and protection of the marine environment.

Two dimensional ruthenium carbide: structural and electronic features.

The design and realization of novel 2D materials and their functionalities have been a focus of research inspired by the successful synthesis of graphene and many other 2D materials. In this study, in view of first principles calculations, we predict a novel 2D material ruthenium carbide (RuC) in graphene-like honeycomb hexagonal lattice with planar geometry. Phonon dispersion spectra display a dynamically stable structure. Comprehensive molecular dynamics calculations confirm the stability of the structure up to high temperatures as ≈1000 K. The system is a narrow gap semiconductor with a band gap of 53 meV (345 meV) due to GGA-PBE (HSE) calculations. Band gap exhibits significant changes by applied strain. Elastic and optical properties of the system are examined in monolayer form. RuC/RuC bilayer, RuC/graphene and RuC/h-BN heterostructures are also investigated. By calculating the phonon dispersion it is verified that RuC bilayer is the most stable in AA type-stacking configuration where Ru and C atoms of both layers have identical lateral coordinates. The effects of atomic substitutions on electronic band structures, acting as p-type and n-type doping, are revealed. A novel 3D RuCLi structure is also predicted to be stable and the isolation of its monolayer forms are discussed. Ruthenium carbide, as a 2D material which is dynamically and thermally stable, holds promise for applications in nanoelectronics.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin improves abnormal brain electrical activity via mechanisms involving eNOS.

Apart from its repressing effect on plasma lipid levels, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors exert neuroprotective functions in animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. In view of these promising observations, we were interested in whether HMG-CoA reductase inhibition would affect epileptiform activity in the brain. To elucidate this issue, atorvastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin were administered orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg each for 3 days and their anti-epileptic activities were tested and compared in rats. Epileptiform activity in the brain was induced by an intracortical penicillin G injection. Among HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, simvastatin-treatment was less effective in terms of spike frequency as compared with atorvastatin- and rosuvastatin-treated animals. Atorvastatin treatment reduced spike frequencies and amplitudes significantly throughout the experiment. However, the most pronounced anti-epileptic effect was observed in rosuvastatin-treated animals, which was associated with improved blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, increased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and decreased expressions of pro-apoptotic p53, Bax and caspase-3 mRNAs. Inhibition of eNOS activity with L-NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) reversed the anti-epileptic effect of rosuvastatin significantly. However, L-NAME did not alter the effect of rosuvastatin on the levels of p53, Bax and caspase-3 mRNA expression. Here, we provide evidence that among HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, rosuvastatin was the most effective statin on the reduction of epileptiform activity, which was associated with improved BBB permeability, increased expression of eNOS and decreased expressions of pro-apoptotic p53, Bax and caspase-3. Our observation also revealed that the anti-epileptic effect of rosuvastatin was dependent on the increased expression level of eNOS. The robust anti-epileptic effect encourages proof-of-concept studies with rosuvastatin in human epilepsy patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Comparison of hematologic toxicity between 3DCRT and IMRT planning in cervical cancer patients after concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a national multi-center study.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence and severity of acute and chronic hematologic toxicity (HT) in patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for curative treatment of cervical cancer and to ascertain the dosimetric parameters of two techniques associated with acute and chronic HT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 127 patients with cervical cancer receiving concomitant pelvic radiotherapy (RT) and cisplatin were evaluated. Pelvic bone marrow (BM) was contoured for each patient and divided into five sub-regions: lumbosacrum (LS), ilium (IL), lower pelvis (LP), pelvis (P), and whole pelvis (WP). The volume of each BM region receiving 10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy was calculated (V10, -V20, -V30, and -V40). The lowest level of hemoglobin, leukocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts were obtained during chemoradiotherapy and six months after RT. The nadir values were graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3.0). RESULTS: Grade 2 or greater acute anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia was observed in 2%, 41.5%, 12% ,and 0% in 3DCRT group and in 27%, 53%, 24.5%, and 4.5% in IMRT group, respectively. Grade 2 or greater chronic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia was observed in 11%, 10%, 6%, and 0% in 3DCRT group and in 11%, 9%, 4.5%, and 0% in IMRT group, respectively. LS-V30, 40; IL-V10, 20, 30, 40; LP-V10, 20 ,40; P-V10, 20, 30, 40, and TP-V10, 20, 30, 40 were significantly reduced with IMRT planning compared to 3DCRT planning. Logistic regression analysis of potential predictors showed that none of the dosimetric parameters were significant for predicting acute and chronic HT. CONCLUSION: The present findings showed that IMRT planning reduced irradiated BM volumes compared to 3DCRT planning. However, no difference between the two techniques was observed in terms of acute and chronic HT. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Evaluation of treatment results and prognostic factors in early-stage cervical carcinoma patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features, prognostic factors, and treatment outcome in early-stage cervical carcinoma patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy (RT)/radiochemotherapy (RCT). METHODS: The records of 256 Stage IB and II cervical cancer patients treated with postoperative RT/RCT from 1992-2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Median age of the patients was 47 (range: 25-78). Two hundred one (78.6%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma and 29 (11.3%) had adenocarcinoma. One hundred and eighty-seven (73.0%) had FIGO Stage IB and 69 (27%) had Stage II disease. Concomitant cisplatin-based chemotherapy was administered to 47 (18.4%) patients. Metastatic lymph node ratio (MLNR), defined as number of metastatic lymph nodes divided by the number of dissected lymph nodes, was 0 in 142 (55.5%) patients, from 1% to 10% in 27 (10.5%) and > 10% in 31 (12.1%) patients. RESULTS: Median follow-up duration was 60.5 months (range: 6-202 months). Five-year locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), disease specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 90.8%, 83.4%, 91.2%, and 85%, respectively. In multivariate analysis; bulky tumor (> 4 cm) was shown as an important prognostic factor for LRC, DFS and DSS. Pretreatment hemoglobin level (< 10 g/dl) was associated with lower OS rate. Endometrial involvement was associated with lower LRC and DFS. Treatment break > 14 days showed significance for DFS and DSS. MLNR was found as a valuable prognostic factor for all endpoints (LRC, DFS, DSS and OS). The rate of grade 3-4 late toxicity was 3.6% and 2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Postoperative RT/RCT is an effective treatment modality for early-stage cervical cancer patients with unfavorable features and provides satisfactory local control and survival rates with low morbidity.

Prognostic factors for survival in patients with thymic epithelial tumors.

BACKGROUND: Aim of the study was to identify and evaluate the prognostic efficacy of standard clinicopathological factors of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) for treatment-related outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients treated between 1993-2008 at Ege University Faculty of Medicine Departments of Radiation Oncology and Thoracic Surgery were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with a median age of 51 (range: 24-72) were identified. Complete resection was performed in 23 (51.1%), incomplete resection with microscopic residues in 17 (37.8%), subtotal resection with gross residues in 2 (4.4%) and biopsy in 5 (11.1%) patients. Radiotherapy was administered to 39 (83%) patients. Median follow-up duration was 51 months (range: 3-168 months). Five-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 93%, 90% and 85% for thymoma and 80%, 66% and 72% for thymic carcinoma patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the extent of resection was the only significant prognostic factor for OS (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The most important prognostic factor for overall survival was the extent of resection. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are required to confirm the prognostic factors and to obtain a better understanding of the biological behavior of TETs.

Interoperative frozen section for margin assessment in breast conserving energy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: When excisional biopsy or lumpectomy is performed without margin assessment in early breast cancer, further surgery are required if positive margins exist. We evaluated the role of the intraoperative frozen section in breast conserving surgery (BCS). Clinicopathologic factors associated with re-excision were searched. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 190 tumors in 186 patients with early invasive breast cancer treated by BCS. Breast tumor was excised with 2 cm macroscopic margin, and microscopic margins examined by intraoperative frozen section. RESULTS: After frozen section, 160 cases had negative margins (no re-excision), but 30 patients (16%) underwent re-excision because of close/positive margins. Negative margins were obtained in 24 patients but six patients underwent mastectomy due to persistent involved margins. Local recurrence was 2.1% and systematic recurrence was 2.6% with mean 62 months follow up. Tumor type, tumor size, extranodal extension and extensive intraductal component were significant predictors of re-excision by multivariate analysis. Re-excision procedures haven't an impact on local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Interoperative frozen section is an effective procedure in reducing the need of second operation. We have observed lower recurrence rates than other studies because of our 2 cm macroscopic margin width and > 2 mm microscopic negative margin which is obtained by interoperative frozen section.

Relapse patterns and related prognostic factors in patients with mobile tongue cancer treated with postoperative radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess prognostic factors and patterns of relapse in patients with oral tongue cancer treated by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2005, 65 patients with stage II-IV oral tongue cancer were treated with postoperative adjuvant RT at our institution. The influence of multiple patient- and treatment-related factors on local and regional control, and overall survival (OS), locoregional failure- free survival (LRFFS) and cause-specific survival (CSS) were evaluated. Median patient follow-up was 74 months. RESULTS: Five-year disease-free survival (DFS), LRFFS and CSS rates were 56, 60 and 58%, respectively. During the study period 27 (41.5%) patients had locoregional failures. Seventeen of the recurrences were in the primary tumor region, 4 in the neck, 6 in both regions. Most of the local failures occurred in the first year (median 13 months, range 5-15). Gender, T stage, stage (AJCC TN stage), surgical margin, localization of tumor, and hemoglobin level had predictive value for improved local-regional control in univariate analysis. In total, 35 deaths occurred: 28 patients died of progressive disease, one patient died due to another primary tumor (esophageal cancer) and 6 patients died of other causes. CONCLUSION: Local failure was the most important problem concerning the final outcome. High local recurrence rates and poor survival rates are important issues in the management of oral tongue cancer. Further strategies should be directed to enhancing cure rates.

Postoperative radiotherapy in intermediate and high-risk Stage I endometrial cancer: analysis of prognostic factors and survival.

PURPOSE: Patients with Stage IA Grade (G) III, Stage IB GII-III and Stage IC GI-II-III endometrial cancer who received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy were evaluated in terms of local control, disease-free and overall survival rates and prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and three patients with Stage I endometrial cancer treated with radiotherapy from January 1990 to December 2003 at Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology were reviewed retrospectively. According to our radiotherapy protocol patients with Stage IB G2 disease (149 patients) received only external radiotherapy and the remaining (254 patients) received both external radiotherapy and intracavitary brachytherapy. RESULTS: Median age of the patients was 58 (range: 37-83). Nine patients (2.2%) had Stage IA, 196 (48.6%) had Stage IB and 198 (49.1%) had Stage IC disease. Histologic grade was 1 in 52 (12.9%) patients, 2 in 268 (66.5%) patients and 3 in 83 (20.6%) patients. Seventy-one (17.7%) patients had lymphovascular space invasion. Five-year locoregional relapse-free, distant-free, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 98.2%, 92.8%, 91.8% and 87.7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, myometrial invasion and lymphovascular invasion were predictive factors for DFS and for OS prognostic factors were histologic type, myometrial invasion, and histologic grade. During radiotherapy 47.9% of the patients developed acute morbidity and 26.3% developed late morbidity, vaginal stenosis being the most frequent late morbidity. CONCLUSION: Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy provides high locoregional control rates with acceptable toxicity in selected patients with Stage I endometrial carcinoma.

Levels of paraoxonase, an index of antioxidant defense, in patients with active sarcoidosis.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative mechanisms are currently discussed as playing a crucial role in the genesis of inflammatory lung diseases. We aimed to evaluate the oxidant-antioxidant balance in the pathogenesis and activity of sarcoidosis and to search if the change in the level of PON can be taken as an activity marker. METHODS: 26 active sarcoidosis subjects aged 41.3+/-12.9 years, 37 inactive subjects aged 39.6+/-11.7 years and 48 control subjects aged 48.9+/-2.5 years were recruited in our study. Malondialdehyde (MDA), paraoxonase1 (PON1) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) levels in serum were analyzed by spectrophotometric, kinetic, and ELISA methods, respectively. RESULTS: PON1 levels were significantly lower in the active disease state than both the inactive form and control groups. MDA levels were significantly higher in active sarcoidosis than both the inactive disease and control groups, and oxLDL levels were significantly higher in the active disease group than the inactive group and control group. The level of PON1 in the inactive disease group is not significantly different from the control group while the oxLDL and MDA levels of inactive group is significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between the PON1 activities and MDA values in both active and inactive groups (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress increases in sarcoidosis might be due to both increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in antioxidant status (PON1) and the relationship between oxidative status and the activation of the disease should be discussed by comparing the previously known activation criteria.

Chondral thickness and radii of curvature of the femoral condyles and talar trochlea.

To localize optimal donor regions for osteochondral graft transplantation, the chondral thickness and the radii of curvature of femoral condyles and the talar trochlea were determined. Optosil impressions of the articular surfaces of ten formalin fixed distal femora and talar domes were prepared. Therefrom, 5-mm thick frontal sections were made in order to measure the radii of curvature. Femoral condyles and talar trochleas were sliced sagittally into 2-mm thick sections. Chondral thickness was measured on x-rays. Talar cartilage thickness measured 0.7 to 2.0 mm. Cartilage thickness of the femoral condyles was 0.7 mm to 3.1 mm. The smallest radial values of the talar surface were proximal and distal. Flattening of the medial and lateral talar margins and of the central articular surface was evident. For the femur, the curvature was greater in the edge areas than in the central region. For talar defects, the grafts should be taken from the condylar edges, where the chondral thickness is decreased.

Intraoperative extracorporeal irradiation and re-implantation of involved bone for the treatment of musculoskeletal tumors.

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the results of musculoskeletal tumors which is treated with limb salvage surgery and extracorporeal radiotherapy. Patients were treated with en-bloc resection followed by 50 Gy single dose extracorporeal irradiation and re-implantation of involved bone segments. Nine of fifteen were female and 6 were male, median age was 19. Tumor originated from tibia in 7 patients, femur in 3, humerus in 3, calcaneus in 1 and scapula in 1. Preoperative chemotherapy was given to 12 patients, 3 of them had not been treated previously. Median follow-up time of the survivors was 22 months (range 2-47 months); local recurrence and lung metastases occurred in one patient (local recurrence was away from the re-implanted bone segment), and lung metastases were reported in another 3 patients. Wound healing problems occurred in 4 patients and delayed union in 2 patients. Amputation was performed in 2 patients due to uncontrolled infection, and infected bone was replaced by a fibula graft in another patient. Treatment was successful in 12 patients where functional results were good in 9, excellent in 2 and not evaluated in 1. Limb salvage using en-bloc resection followed by intraoperative extracorporeal irradiation and re-implantation of involved bone is a useful and cheap reconstruction method in appropriately selected patients.

Clinical value of mediastinoscopy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis: an analysis of 68 cases.

Mediastinoscopy was performed for confirmation of the diagnosis in 68 patients who were suspected clinically and radiologically of having sarcoidosis. In 66 of 68 cases in which mediastioscopy was performed a diagnosis was attained. In 35 cases, endobronchial biopsy was performed by bronchoscopy. In only 5 of these (14.2 %) was the diagnosis of sarcoidosis confirmed. The sensitivity of mediastinoscopy was remarkably superior compared with that of endobronchial biopsy. No complication developed with either mediastinoscopy or endobronchial biopsy. In Turkey, mediastinoscopy without any complication costs about 650 USD while bronchoscopy and endobronchial biopsy cost about 150 USD. In our study in which we looked for a histological confirmation -- in the cases suspected of sarcoidosis -- mainly through mediastinoscopy and rarely through other methods (i.e., endobronchial biopsy in one case, skin biopsy in another), we did not come up with a different diagnosis. Therefore, patients suspected of having sarcoidosis should undergo a careful clinical, laboratory, and radiologic examination; they should be under continuous close observation; when necessary (e.g., skin and lip biopsy), the tissue diagnosis should be made by other methods, but if there is the possibility of a disease such as tuberculosis and lymphoma, mediastinoscopy should be performed. The diagnosis of stage 3 sarcoidosis is difficult. For diagnosis, sometimes videothoracoscopy or explorative thoracotomy may be necessary. However, in all our 3 cases with stage 3, we reached the diagnosis of sarcoidosis by the less invasive and less expensive method of mediastinoscopy. Despite our small number of cases, we believe that mediastinoscopy is a very important instrument for diagnosis of stage 3 sarcoidosis.

Navigation for ankle arthroscopy: anatomical study of the anterolateral portal with reference to the superficial peroneal nerve.

We aimed to navigate the surgeon regarding the localization of the main anatomical structures at the anterior part of the ankle joint, in order to find easily the safest anatomical points with reference to the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN), in particular for anterolateral portal placement in ankle arthroscopy. Sixty-three ankles in 36 fresh cadavers were dissected. In all specimens we examined (1) the distance between the SPN bifurcation and the most distal point of the lateral malleolus; and at the level of ankle joint, (2) the number of SPN, (3) the distance between the medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves, which are branches of the SPN, (4) the localization of the peroneus tertius (PT) tendon in relation to the lateral malleolus, (5) the width of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) tendon, (6) the relationship of the PT tendon and (7) the relationship of the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon with the SPN. The results were as follows: (1) In 41 ankles with bifurcation (65%) the average distance was 71.8+/-35.3 mm. (2) There were two SPN branches in 39 (62%), three branches in seven (11%) and one branch in 17 (27%) cases. (3) In 39 ankles with two branches of the SPN, the mean distance was 15.2+/-7.1 mm. (4) The lateral border of the PT tendon was positioned a mean distance of 20.8+/-3.3 mm proximal and 25.2+/-5.8 mm medial to the reference points. (5) The mean width was 10.1+/-2.9 mm. (6) In 42 ankles (67%) the distance between the lateral border of the PT tendon and the SPN was a mean of 6.2+/-6.6 mm, median of 3 mm (range 0-22 mm lateral to the tendon). (7) In 56 cases (89%) a branch of the SPN was found a mean of 6.6+/-4 mm and a median of 6 mm lateral to the EHL tendon, and in seven cases (11%) on the tendon. According to our study, in ankle arthroscopy the risk of the SPN injury is maximal in the 0-3 mm lateral to the PT tendon. To avoid injury to the SPN, the safest placement of the anterolateral portal is 4 mm lateral to the PT tendon.

Explosion during diathermy gastrotomy in a patient with carcinoma of the antrum.

Gas explosion during diathermy gastrotomy is a very rare occurrence. We report on an unusual case of gas explosion during diathermy gastrotomy in a patient with carcinoma of the gastric antrum.

Assessment of outcome of carpal tunnel syndrome: a comparison of electrophysiological findings and a self-administered Boston questionnaire.

The relationship between nerve conduction studies and the self-administered Boston Questionnaire that measures the severity of symptoms and functional status in carpal tunnel syndrome was assessed in 44 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. The patients were examined preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Although both the clinical outcome and electrophysiological findings improved significantly after surgery, we observed no correlation between improvements in nerve conduction and the questionnaire scores.

Effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on hepatic regeneration after 70% hepatectomy in normal and cirrhotic rats.

BACKGROUND: Post-hepatectomy liver insufficiency is one of the most serious postoperative problems and its prevention is important after major hepatic resection, especially in the cirrhotic liver. Some growth factors and cytokines appear to play important roles in liver regeneration. In the present study we have investigated the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on hepatic regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic rats. METHODS: A rat model of liver cirrhosis was prepared using thioacetamide (TAA) (a dose of 20 mg/100 g body w, intra-peritoneally) on three days a week for 12 weeks. Adult male rats were divided into four groups:Group 1 (n=10) no cirrhosis and no GM-CSF; Group 2 (n=10) no cirrhosis and GM-CSF; Group 3 (n=10) cirrhosis and no GM-CSF; and Group 4 (n=10) cirrhosis and GM-CSF. All the rats underwent a 70% hepatectomy, and GM-CSF was administrated immediately after operation in Groups 2 and 4. On postoperative days 2 and 7, fresh samples from the remnant liver were obtained to evaluate its regenerative capacity.The liver regenerative process was estimated by DNA synthesis, using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Proliferation index (PI) of hepatocytes at 48 h was higher in Group 4 rats than Group 3 rats (p<0.05). On postoperative day 7, PI was elevated in Group 3 rats compared with Group 4 rats, but this difference was not statistically significant. In non-cirrhotic rats given GM-CSF, PI was increased compared with Group 1 rats at day 2 (p<0.05), but not at day 7. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the proliferative capacity of liver cells is impaired and delayed after 70% PH in cirrhotic rat liver. GM-CSF administration might enhance the liver PI in both normal and TAA-induced cirrhotic rats.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in carpet workers.

OBJECTIVE: Repetitive and forceful use of wrist and finger flexors is purported to be an occupational risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). While weaving carpet, wrist and finger flexors and extensors are used repetitively, with pinching movements and forced grasping. We aimed to investigate CTS frequency in hand-made carpet workers. METHODS: Seventy women from carpet workshops in the city center and 30 healthy unemployed women were evaluated by clinical examination and electrophysiology. The relationship between CTS development and employment duration, and work produced per year were also investigated. Our study is cross-sectional. RESULTS: CTS was present in 31 hands (22.1%) of workers and in four hands (6.7%) of the control group. The estimated relative risk of developing CTS was 3.3 times greater in carpet-workers than it was in controls. Considering all hands, we could not find any correlation between CTS development and employment duration (P = 0.977), or with work produced per year (P = 0.505); but these two were the prominent factors contributing to delayed median sensory latency (P = 0.013, P = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We could not find any correlation between CTS development and employment duration, or with work produced per year; but these two were the prominent factors contributing to delayed median sensory latency The results indicates that women working in the hand-made carpet industry have a higher risk of CTS development.

Deep venous thrombosis of the extremity diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasonography after isolated limb perfusion.

AIM: Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is used to treat locally advanced sarcoma and melanoma of the extremities. ILP is associated with a 1.7% to 10% incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The aim of the study was to examine the effect of ILP on the peripheral venous system and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of color Doppler ultrasonography (US). METHODS: A total of 26 patients with locally advanced sarcoma or melanoma of the extremities received a total of 38 ILP. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by color Doppler US as a noninvasive venous measurement. We used a color Doppler US system (SSA-270A, Toshiba) with a 7.5-MHz linear transducer for gray-scale imaging and a 5-MHz vascular transducer for color Doppler imaging. RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent single ILP while the others were treated with multiple ILPs. Color Doppler US showed a reflux flow in three (7.9%) patients and DVT occurred subsequently in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler US is a noninvasive and clinically useful diagnostic technique in the diagnosis of extremity DVT. We recommend anticoagulant therapy in patients with reflux on ultrasonographic examination.