Evaluation of perforating venous insufficiency with shear wave elastography: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the diagnosis of perforating vein insufficiency, and to determine the applicability of these measurements. METHODS: A total of 140 symptomatic patients with a total of 280 lower extremities were investigated. All patients presented with venous insufficiency (VI) symptoms, and received Doppler ultrasound assessment to determine VI and SWE measurements. The SWE values were measured in the adjacent perivenous tissue of the largest Cockett's perforating vein (PV) of both lower extremities, at the level where they pass the fascia. The Cockett's PV diameter and the presence of reflux in Cockett's PV and the great saphenous vein were compared with SWE values in perivenous tissue of PVs. RESULTS: The SWE values of the perforating vein insufficiency group were significantly higher than those of the normal PV without insufficiency group (P < 0.001). A significant and positive relation was seen between increased PV diameter and SWE values (P < 0.001) and there was a significant relationship between the presence of perforating vein insufficiency and increase in PV diameter. A statistically significant increase was detected in SWE values for the PV for those with reflux in the great saphenous vein (P < 0.001). The best cut-off values that can be used to detect perforating vein insufficiency were found 34.600 for kPa and 3.375 for m/s. CONCLUSION: SWE may be used effectively in addition to conventional Doppler ultrasound examination in diagnosing and following perforating vein insufficiency.

Rural population mobility, deforestation, and urbanization: case of Turkey.

The benefits of the forests are well known and are by their existence alone an amenity. Nonetheless, urbanization as one of the most remarkable features of social development has immense effects on forest resources and land use. In this study, it is hypothesized that there are temporal interactions among the rural population dynamics, urbanization, and forest resources. Data set is based on rural population, total population, and forest areas for the period of 1990-2017. Regression analysis (the ordinary least square, OLS) and dummy variable in regression were used by taking the years into consideration. The coefficient of total population in the regression model developed in our study was positive, which means with the increasing total population, there is an increase in forest areas as well, contrary to common opinion in the literature. With this study, a positive/linear temporal relation between the forest area and urbanization via the regression statistics was determined. There is a significant inverse relation between rural population decline and forest area increase too. Our results provide also a compelling evidence that rural population mobility, afforestation, and forestry policy have strong effects and play an important role over the forest management and forest policy in Turkey.

Characterization of powdered fish heads for bone graft biomaterial applications.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to define the chemical composition, morphology and crystallography of powdered fish heads of the species Argyrosomus regius for bone graft biomaterial applications. METHODS: Two sizes of powder were prepared by different grinding methods; Powder A (coarse, d50=68.5 µm) and Powder B (fine, d50=19.1 µm). Samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TG), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). RESULTS: The powder was mainly composed of aragonite (CaCO3) and calcite (CaCO3). The XRD pattern of Powder A and B matched standard aragonite and calcite patterns. In addition, the calcium oxide (CaO) phase was found after the calcination of Powder A. Thermogravimetry analysis confirmed total mass losses of 43.6% and 47.3% in Powders A and B, respectively. CONCLUSION: The microstructure of Powder A was mainly composed of different sizes and tubular shape, whereas Powder B showed agglomerated particles. The high quantity of CaO and other oxides resemble the chemical composition of bone. In general, the powder can be considered as bone graft after transformation to hydroxyapatite phase.

The zymographic evaluation of gelatinase (MMP-2 and -9) levels in acute and chronic periapical abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the presence and levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 in periapical abscesses. STUDY DESIGN: Eighteen samples of intracanal exudates containing pus were collected from teeth with clinically and radiographically verified primary or secondary acute and chronic apical abscesses. Pro- and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were analyzed by using substrate gel zymography followed by an image analysis system. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests with Bonferroni adjustment. RESULTS: Both forms of MMP-9 were detected in all pus samples and demonstrated marked differences among the experimental groups (P < .05). Primary or secondary acute apical abscess samples demonstrated significantly higher MMP-9 levels compared with MMP-2 levels (P < .01). However, MMP-2 could not be detected in chronic apical abscesses. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, gelatinases might affect the pathogenesis of acute and chronic periapical abscesses.