OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a new method for automated mass detection in digital mammographic images using templates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Masses were detected using a two steps process. First, the pixels in the mammogram images were scanned in 8 directions, and regions of interest (ROI) were identified using various thresholds. Then, a mass template was used to categorize the ROI as true masses or non-masses based on their morphologies. Each pixel of a ROI was scanned with a mass template to determine whether there was a shape (part of a ROI) similar to the mass in the template. The similarity was controlled using two thresholds. If a shape was detected, then the coordinates of the shape were recorded as part of a true mass. To test the system's efficiency, we applied this process to 52 mammogram images from the Mammographic Image Analysis Society (MIAS) database. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-two ROI were identified using the ROI specification methods. These ROI were classified using three templates whose diameters were 10, 20 and 30 pixels. The results of this experiment showed that using the templates with these diameters achieved sensitivities of 93%, 90% and 81% with 1.3, 0.7 and 0.33 false positives per image respectively. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the detection performance of this template based algorithm is satisfactory, and may improve the performance of computer-aided analysis of mammographic images and early diagnosis of mammographic masses.
Sensitivity and Specificity ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Mammography/*methods ; Humans ; False Positive Reactions ; Automation ; Algorithms

In this study, we investigated the effect of different values of intra-abdominal pressure on bacterial translocation. Twenty-four Wistar-Albino rats were divided into four groups. The animals belonging to the Control group were not subjected to any increased intra-abdominal pressure. In groups I, II and III, an intra-abdominal pressure of 14, 20, and 25 mmHg, respectively, was established by carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum for a period of 60 minutes. Four hours after the pneumoperitoneum, all animals were sacrificed to evaluate the degree of bacterial translocation at this time. Liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were excised under sterile conditions. Bacterial growth was assessed using standard bacteriological techniques and compared statistically. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for the statistical analysis. Different amounts of bacterial growth were found in all of the animals subjected to increased intra-abdominal pressure, except for the controls. Bacterial translocation was detected at an intra-abdominal pressure of 14 mmHg but this finding was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was a significant increase in bacterial growth in animals subjected to an intra- abdominal pressure of 20 mmHg or above (p < 0.001). As a result, we found that bacterial translocation started when the intra-abdominal pressure reached a level of 14 mmHg. Patients should be closely monitored for septic complication risks following laparoscopic procedures in which the intra-abdominal pressure exceeds 20 mmHg.
Abdomen ; Animals ; *Bacterial Translocation ; Carbon Dioxide ; Laparoscopy/*adverse effects ; Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial/adverse effects ; Pressure ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Splanchnic Circulation

Purpose: Obesity is defined as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat over acceptable limits. Leptin is a metabolic hormone present in the circulation in amounts proportional to fat mass. Leptin reduces food intake and increases energy expenditure, thus regulating body weight and homeostasis. Various polymorphisms are present in the leptin gene and its receptor. These polymorphisms may be associated with obesity. This study aimed to show the association of leptin (+19) AG, leptin (2548) GA, and Gln223Arg leptin receptor polymorphisms with obesity and metabolic syndrome in Turkish children aged 6–17 years, and to conduct further investigations regarding the genetic etiology of obesity. Methods: A total of 174 patients diagnosed with obesity and 150 healthy children who were treated at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa Medical School Hospital between September 2014 and March 2015 were included in this study. The ages of the children were between 6 and 17 years, and anthropometric and laboratory results were recorded. Genotyping of leptin (+19) AG, leptin (2548) GA, and leptin receptor Gln223Arg polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: An association between leptin receptor Gln223Arg gene polymorphism and obesity was detected. Conclusion Further studies are needed to determine the role of genetic etiologies and to indicate the role of leptin signal transmission impairment in the pathogenesis of obesity. We hope that gene therapy can soon provide a solution for obesity.

Purpose: Obesity is defined as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat over acceptable limits. Leptin is a metabolic hormone present in the circulation in amounts proportional to fat mass. Leptin reduces food intake and increases energy expenditure, thus regulating body weight and homeostasis. Various polymorphisms are present in the leptin gene and its receptor. These polymorphisms may be associated with obesity. This study aimed to show the association of leptin (+19) AG, leptin (2548) GA, and Gln223Arg leptin receptor polymorphisms with obesity and metabolic syndrome in Turkish children aged 6–17 years, and to conduct further investigations regarding the genetic etiology of obesity. Methods: A total of 174 patients diagnosed with obesity and 150 healthy children who were treated at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa Medical School Hospital between September 2014 and March 2015 were included in this study. The ages of the children were between 6 and 17 years, and anthropometric and laboratory results were recorded. Genotyping of leptin (+19) AG, leptin (2548) GA, and leptin receptor Gln223Arg polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: An association between leptin receptor Gln223Arg gene polymorphism and obesity was detected. Conclusion Further studies are needed to determine the role of genetic etiologies and to indicate the role of leptin signal transmission impairment in the pathogenesis of obesity. We hope that gene therapy can soon provide a solution for obesity.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of locally applied insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on the recovery of facial nerve functions after crush injury in a rabbit model. METHODS: The rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups. Group 1 consisted of the rabbits with crush injury alone; group 2, the animals applied saline solution onto the crushed facial nerve and group 3, IGF-1 implemented to the nerve in the same manner. Facial nerve injury was first electrophysiologically studied on 10th and 42nd days of the procedure. The damage to the facial nerves was then investigated histopathologically, after sacrification of the animals. RESULTS: In the electrophysiological study, compound muscle action potential amplitudes of the crushed nerves in the second group were decreased. In pathological specimens of the first and second groups, the orders of axons were distorted; demyelination and proliferation of Schwann cells were observed. However, in IGF-1 treated group axonal order and myelin were preserved, and Schwann cell proliferation was close to normal (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Local application of IGF-1 in a slow releasing gel was found efficacious in the recovery of the facial nerve crush injury in rabbits. IGF-1 was considered worthy of being tried in clinical studies in facial nerve injury cases.
Action Potentials ; Animals ; Axons ; Cell Proliferation ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; Facial Nerve* ; Insulin* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Models, Animal ; Myelin Sheath ; Rabbits ; Schwann Cells ; Sodium Chloride

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is often a mild disease, usually manifesting with respiratory complaints, and is sometimes mortal due to multiple organ failure. Hyperinflammation is a known COVID-19 component and is associated with organ dysfunction, disease severity and mortality. Controlling hyperinflammatory response is crucial in determining treatment direction. An important agent in providing this control is corticosteroids. This study aimed to determine whether dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, doses, administration time and duration in COVID-19 treatment are associated with improved treatment outcomes. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted with participation of 6 healthcare centers which collected data by retrospectively examining files of 1,340 patients admitted to intensive care unit due to COVID-19 between March 2020 and September 2021, diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction (+) and/or clinically and radiologically. Results: Mortality in the pulse methylprednisolone group was statistically significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups. Mortality was higher in older patients with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, coronary artery disease, and dementia. Pulse and mini-pulse steroid doses were less effective than standard methylprednisolone and dexamethasone doses, pulse steroid doses being associated with high mortality. Standard-dose methylprednisolone and dexamethasone led to similar effects, but standard dose methylprednisolone was more effective in severe patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV). Infection development was related to steroid treatment duration, not cumulative steroid dose. Conclusion Corticosteroids are shown to be beneficial in critical COVID-19, but the role of early corticosteroids in mild COVID-19 patients remains unclear. The anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids may have a positive effect by reducing mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. Although dexamethasone was first used for this purpose, methylprednisolone was found to be as effective at standard doses. Methylprednisolone administered at standard doses was associated with greater PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratios than dexamethasone, especially in the severe group requiring MV. High dose pulse steroid doses are closely associated with mortality and standard methylprednisolone dose is recommended.