The consistency of the excellent depiction of the vascular territories of the distal aorta and the pelvic and lower limb arteries in a standardized setting suggests great potential for the use of MRA in the primary diagnosis of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
Introduction Even though lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) is highly prevalent, few studies have investigated the neural mechanisms underlying PE. Aim This study aimed to investigate whether patients with lifelong PE exhibit macrostructural or microstructural alterations of the parts of the brain involved in the male sexual response. Materials and Methods We enrolled 42 healthy participants and 54 lifelong PE patients. Lifelong PE was diagnosed according to the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). We compared measures of cortical morphology, such as volumes of gray matter, white matter, cerebellum volumes, and subcortical structures (ie, amygdala, caudate, hippocampus, globus pallidus, putamen, and thalamus) between the groups using a voxel-based morphometry method from whole-brain T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, we evaluated the relationships between the relevant cerebral alterations and the severity of symptoms obtained from participants via self-reported questionnaires. Main Outcome Measures Cerebral macrostructural and microstructural alterations were assessed in PE patients and controls, along with the correlation of caudate nucleus changes in PE patients with clinical data (including the PEDT and the IELT). Results The mean volume of the caudate nucleus was significantly larger in the lifelong PE patients compared with healthy controls (P = .048). Moreover, caudate nucleus volume was positively correlated with PEDT score (r = 0.621; P = .0179) and negatively correlated with the IELT (r = −0.592; P = .0101). However, cortex morphology and the other subcortical volumes were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > .05). Clinical Implications Microstructural alterations in deep gray matter nuclei might be a useful parameter for studying the mechanism of the neurobiology underlying PE. Strengths and Limitations There are few studies examining microstructural changes in PE patients. This study furthers our understanding of the etiology of PE. Limitations include the small sample, which limits our ability to make an absolute determination as to whether such subcortical changes are the cause or the consequence of lifelong PE. Conclusions We found a significant difference in caudate nucleus volume between patients with PE and healthy controls. In addition, the caudate nucleus volume was positively associated with the severity of PE symptoms. More extensive and possibly longitudinal studies are needed to improve our understanding of the mechanism of the neurobiology underlying PE.
We analyzed our stone-free rates of PNL with regard to stone burden and its ratio to the renal collecting system volume. Data of 164 patients who underwent PNL were analyzed retrospectively. Volume segmentation of renal collecting system and stones were done using 3D segmentation software with the images obtained from CT data. Analyzed stone volume (ASV) and renal collecting system volume (RCSV) were measured and the ASV-to-RCSV ratio was calculated after the creation of a 3D surface volume rendering of renal stones and the collecting system. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to determine factors affecting stone-free rates; also we assessed the predictive accuracy of the ASV-to-RCSV ratio using the receiving operating curve (ROC) and AUC. The stone-free rate of PNL monotherapy was 53% (164 procedures).The ASV-to-RCSV ratio and calyx number with stones were the most influential predictors of stone-free status (OR 4.15, 95% CI 2.24-7.24, <0.001, OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.38-4.97, p < 0.001, respectively). Other factors associated with the stone-free rate were maximum stone size (p < 0.029), stone surface area (p < 0.010), and stone burden volume (p < 0.001). Predictive accuracy of the ASV-to-RCSV ratio was AUC 0.76. Stone burden volume distribution in the renal collecting system, which is calculated using the 3D volume segmentation method, is a significant determinant of the stone-free rate before PCNL surgery. It could be used as a single guide variable by the clinician before renal stone surgery to predict extra requirements for stone clearance.
Objectives: This study aims to assess the frequency and factors relevant to metabolic syndrome in workers employed in the collection and disposal of solid waste sector. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the major solid waste collecting and disposal company named İSTAÇ AŞ (İstanbul Environmental Protection and Waste Processing Corporation) in Istanbul, Turkey. All 715 male employees of the company were included in the study without sampling. The study was completed with 619 subjects. Since it was a small group, female workers were not taken into account in the study. Metabolic syndrome frequency was investigated according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria including the levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist perimeter, HDL, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose values. Results: Metabolic syndrome was present in 40.9% of participating employees. Metabolic syndrome was more common in those working in the excavation field (54.0%), such as caterpillar operators (56.5%), and less common in employees working in administrative offices, such as office staff or managers, who were under 35 years old and who had been working for less than 10 years (p < 0.05). Employees working in work stations other than administrative offices had a 2.60 times higher risk compared to those working in administrative offices. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome may be related to work station, job, age and period worked by the subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis study is a cross-sectional study conducted between March and July, 2009. The study was conducted in the major solid waste collecting and disposal company ISTAÇ AŞ (İstanbul Environmental Protection and Waste Processing Corporation) of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. All 715 employees of the company were included in the study without sampling. Permission was taken from company managers and employees who volun teered in participating. 68 employees did not agree to participate and the study was completed with 619 employees. Since it was a small group, female workers were not included in the study and 5 employees quit their job for various reasons. Occupational classification of employees was as follows: office and administrative staff (office staff, advisor, lawyer, general manager, occupational physician, coordinator, unit manager, engineer, healthcare staff, specialist refectory supervisor); caterpillar ope rators and drivers (caterpillar operator, driver); security staff and field control employees (control overseer, control employee, shift supervisor) and unqualified-master workers. Solid waste storage areas (combustion facility, Asian and European storage areas, Hasdal energy field compost facility, coal storage room, machinery maintenance room), excavation, medical waste disposal area, administrative office (research and development, chieftaincies, security personnel, drivers [except caterpillar operators]), naval services (Port of Haydarpaşa and coast cleaning) and street-avenues scavenging (Asian and European main arteries) were cl...
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