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Recently permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) have been used in many traction applications. Although they have many advantages about energy saving, power-torque density and efficiency, main disadvantage of these motor type is torque ripples. In general, there are two ways for reducing the torque ripples. These methods are motor core magnetic design method and current control method. In this study, slitted stator core teeth geometry has used for reducing the torque ripple. One of the basic missions of slitted cores is generating the useful reluctance torque and helping the more symmetrical distribution of the flux density on magnetic cores of the motor. In this study, an outer rotor PMSM has been used for required performance comparisons. There have been two numerical models created for the performance analysis of outer rotor PMSM. Primarily, a classical analytical outer rotor PMSM model has been created and dynamical analysis of this model has been operated with Finite Element Analysis simulation programme. Afterwards, another FEA performance analysis for same physical and electrical featured but slitted stator core numerical model of outer rotor PMSM has been achieved. Magnetic flux density distributions, torque ripple values and other performance values of each prototype motor have been given in study. When the obtained performance values evaluated, torque ripple value of slitted core PMSM has been %5 less than traditional outer rotor PMSM, besides it has been shown that, mean torque value of slitted core PMSM is %3 bigger than classical outer rotor PMSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are limited follow-up parameters for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) related to disease severity and amyloidosis. Some hematological markers are emerging to assess inflammation. In this study, we hypothesized that some hematological parameters could be used to determine disease severity and amyloidosis in FMF. We included 274 adult FMF patients, and evaluated the relationship between neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet counts and leukocyte counts, mean erythrocyte haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean erythrocyte haemoglobin (MCH) with disease severity and amyloidosis. First, we classified patients according to disease severity and presence of amyloidosis. We then compared the parameters within the groups. In addition, we determined predictive cut-off values with ROC analysis. Finally, we correlated the change in ISSF scores with the change in hematological parameters of 52 patients with follow-up hematological indices after six months. The patients with severe-moderate group had higher CRP levels (p < 0.001), white blood cell (p = 0.002) and neutrophil counts (p = 0.004) and, conversely, lower MCHC levels (p = 0.001) than patients with mild disease severity. FMF patients with amyloidosis had higher neutrophil (p = 0.04) and monocyte count (p = 0.02), increased NLR (p = 0.01) and lower MLR (p = 0.02) levels than those without. In addition, MCHC levels were also lower in the severe-moderate group in the follow-up analyses after sixth months (p = 0.03). MCHC, neutrophil and monocyte counts, NLR, MLR may be associated with poor prognosis in FMF patients. These parameters can be used in conjunction with acute phase reactant and clinical features to assess disease status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to quantitatively analyze lung parenchymal changes in Behçet's patients and to detect early parenchymal quantitative changes that occur in the absence of positive visual radiological findings. Methods: In our study, a total of 31 patients with Behçet's disease, 17 with positive radiological findings and 14 patients without positive radiological findings, and a control group of 33 individuals were evaluated. The automatic program determined lung volumes, lung densities, and opacity volume percentages by evaluating the contrast‐enhanced lung computed tomography scans. Results: The total lung volume was 3632.98 ± 1100.53 mL in the Behçet's disease patient group and 4925.70 ± 1098.88 mL in the control group, and there was a significant decrease in the total lung volume in Behçet's disease patients (P < 0.0001). The mean lung density was −723.73 ± 65.16 in the Behçet's disease patient group and −767.35 ± 41.17 in the control group, and there was a significant increase in the mean density in the Behçet's patients (P = 0.0023). A significantly higher correlation was observed between lung density and lung volume in Behçet's patients (P < 0.0001, r = −0.795). The lung volume of Behçet's disease patients with negative radiological findings was significantly lower than that of the control group (P = 0.0342). Conclusions: Lung volumetric changes in Behçet's disease patients are the quantitative data most affected by the disease. In addition, lung volume decreases in Behçet's patients who do not have visual parenchymal involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The definition of geriatric patient (GP) includes individuals aged 60 and over. Therefore, it may be necessary for rheumatologists to be aware of the problems they may encounter when planning the treatment of this privileged group and to have guidelines to guide doctors in arranging the treatment of rheumatological diseases. The aim of this study is to examine whether there are specific recommendations for GP in the rheumatology treatment guidelines published to date. Methods: The treatment guidelines of the he European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), published between 1970 and 2022, were reviewed in detail by two rheumatologists in terms of specific recommendations for GP. In these guidelines, recommendations for the age range (=60 years), recommendations containing keywords, and items that seem to be relevant to elderly patients were noted. Results: Within the scope of the study, 38 EULAR and 11 ACR treatment guidelines were reviewed. In total, 6 (12.2%) guidelines were found to have special recommendations for elderly patients. Guidelines with specific recommendations were EULAR points to consider for the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis, Points to consider for the development, evaluation and implementation of mobile health applications for self-management in patients with rheumatic diseases, 2019 update of EULAR recommendations for Vaccination in Adult Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases, EULAR Recommendations for prevention and management of osteoporotic fractures, EULAR Points to consider for monitoring (detection/prevention) comorbidities in inflammatory rheumatic diseases, 2015 Recommendations for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica: An EULAR/ACR collaborative initiative. Conclusion: Few recommendations specific to GP have been found in treatment guidelines. Further clinical trials should be planned to contribute to the management of medical and non-medical treatment of elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exertional leg pain (ELP) and enthesitis are musculoskeletal findings in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). They are not accepted as principal treatment targets. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of treatments on ELP and enthesitis. We have included 218 FMF patients to the study. We retrospectively compared the FMF attacks' frequency, duration and intensity (FMF attack VAS score) and levels of ELP VAS and enthesitis VAS scores between pre-treatment stage and while patients were on treatment at the last visit. Forty-nine (22.5%) and 52 (23.9%) of the patients had enthesitis and ELP respectively. All patients were on colchicine treatment. Serositis attacks respond the treatments significantly. Moreover, both ELP VAS scores (p = 0.002) and enthesis VAS scores (p = 0.17) were improved with treatment. But only improvement in ELP VAS scores was significant. FMF treatments had favourable effect on ELP and enthesitis in FMF patients. However, the response rates would be inadequate. Therefore, there would be unmet need for treatment of both conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is an ongoing debate about when and how we should screen rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for lung involvement and little is known about the importance of patients' comorbidities as a risk factor for RA lung involvement. The aim of this study is to reveal the demographic, clinical, and comorbid factors associated with positive lung computed tomography (CT) findings associated with RA. /Methods: We screened all RA patients followed at our rheumatology clinic and included those who had a thoracic CT within the past year. We divided the patients into two groups (positive or negative) according to thoracic CT findings. We compared the two groups in terms of demographic, clinical, and comorbid characteristics. We then performed multivariate analysis with a model that includes significantly different features in univariate analyses to find the amount of risk attributed to the factors for positive thoracic CT. Results: We included 76 RA patients who had thoracic CT. Of these, 43 (56.5%) had positive findings related to RA in thoracic CT. Male gender (p=0.008), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody positivity (p=0.04), and thyroid diseases (p=0.03) were found significantly more common in the patients with positive thoracic CT findings. Additionally, multivariate analyses found male gender [odds ratio (OR) 7.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69-35.69] and thyroid diseases (OR 6.17, 95% CI 1.56-24.32) were related to positive CT findings. Conclusion: In this study conducted in our cohort, we found that male gender and thyroid disease were risk factors for positive thoracic CT findings associated with RA. Clinicians may consider these factors when classifying RA patients for lung involvement and planning thoracic CT for screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since induction motors are the most used motors in the industry, the starting time of the motor is of great importance for different applications. Especially large currents drawn during the movement of heavy loads cause various problems in the motor. Different methods are used to limit the starting time and the current drawn in the induction motor. In this study, the effects of rotor slot height, air gap length, and different rotor slot geometries on induction motor's starting time were investigated. Motor design was made with the RMxprt program, and MATLAB-Simulink model was created using obtained parameters from Rmxprt, and then the starting times of the motors were obtained. In addition, the oscillations in the number of speeds were examined for each motor model. 13 kW, 400 V, 3 phase squirrel cage induction motor was used in the models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy has well-known anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. It may be an option for the treatment of chronic wounds including digital ulcers related with systemic sclerosis (SS). The therapy may also have an impact on the fibrotic complications of SS, including skin thickness. The aim of the study was evaluating the effect of HBO2 on skin thickness in SS patients with medical therapy resistant digital ulcers. Methods: This was an observational study. Twenty-five of 68 patients in our SS cohort had digital ulcers. Four of those had medical therapy resistant digital ulcers. First, we administered at least three of the drugs: Calcium channel blockers, acetylsalicylic acid, iloprost and bosentan as combination therapy. Then, unresponsive patients were evaluated together by rheumatologist and underwater and hyperbaric medicine physician for HBO2 indication. Finally, we applied HBO2 to eligible patients for their refractory and active digital ulcers. We evaluated the pre- and post-therapy values of modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) for skin thickness, health assessment questionnaire for disease-related disability, short-form 36 test for quality of life, and visual analog scores related to skin thickness. Results: mRSSs of all patients improved after the therapy. Nevertheless, we observed that only one patient's digital ulcers got better with the therapy. Furthermore, disease-related disability and quality of life indices were not improved consistently according to the favorable changes in skin scores. Conclusion: HBO2 may have a positive effect on skin thickness due to its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. Disease-related disability and quality of life parameters may improve further with addressing all aspects of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It was aimed to retrospectively examine the data of patients who underwent catheter thoracostomy to determine their demographic and clinical characteristics and to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 613 catheter thoracostomy procedures performed at the Health Practice and Research Center between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. Results: Five hundred and sixty-seven (92.5%) were unilateral and 46 (7.5%) were bilateral catheter thoracostomy. Three hundred and seventy-seven (61.5%) procedures were performed on male patients and 236 (38.5%) procedures were performed on female patients. The mean age was 68 ± 16 (13-105 years old). The operation indications were 202 (33%) thoracic malignancies, 98 (16%) extrathoracic malignancies, and benign pathologies in 313 (51%) patients. Conclusions: Catheter thoracostomy procedure is being used more and more every day in the treatment of pleural effusions due to patient comfort, ease of application and low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, our aim is to analyze the etiological causes and treatment methods of patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax treated in our hospital. Method: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 152 patients who were treated for Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax between January 2013 - December 2017. All patients diagnosed with SSP were included in the study. The patients were examined in terms of age, gender, current lung disease, smoking, symptoms, imaging findings, localization of pneumothorax, pneumothorax rate, treatment methods, surgical indications, length of hospitalisation and mortality rate. Results: One hundred and twenty eight (84.2%) of 152 patients were men, 24 were women (15.8%) and their mean age was 66 ± 12.4 (45--98). The most common symptoms were dyspnoea in 114 (75%) patients, chest pain in 85 (55.9%) patients and cough in 26 (17.1%) patients. The most common comorbid pathology was Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 39.5% patients. Tube thoracostomy was performed in 6 (40%) of 15 (9.9%) patients who were monitored with oxygen therapy. While 112 (73.7%) patients were treated with tube thoracostomy only, 36 (32.1%) of them who were inoperable were treated with pleurodesis by tube thoracostomy. Thirty one (20.4%) patients were treated surgically, of which video-assisted thoracoscopic was performed in 17 (54.8%) and thoracotomy in 14 (45.2%). The majority of our surgical indications were prolonged air leak and recurrent pneumothorax. Conclusions: Despite the great advances in surgical techniques in thoracic surgery in recent years, a standard treatment protocol has not been established in the treatment of SSP. While pneumothorax can be treated with only chest tube and/or pleurodesis in most patients, morbidity and mortality may increase with surgical treatment. Therefore, surgical treatment should be avoided as much as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the profiles of the patients aged 80 years and over admitted to the thoracic surgery clinic, their reasons for admission, the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches adopted for these patients, and the factors affecting their morbidity and mortality rates. Material and Method: Patient data retrieved from the hospital information management system were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were evaluated in terms of demographic information, reason for hospitalization, clinical findings, concomitant chronic diseases, diagnostic and treatment methods used, intensive care need, total hospitalization duration, and outcome. Results: In the 5-year period between 2013 and 2018, 422 patients aged ≥80 years were hospitalized and treated in the thoracic surgery clinic. The average age of the patients was 84.7 years (80-99 years). Pleural effusion and thoracic trauma were among the most common reasons for admission. The average length of stay in the hospital was 4.4 days. Forty-seven patients were treated in the intensive care unit, and overall 17 patients (4%) were dead. Conclusion: Our population continues to age, which means that we will more frequently encounter patients ≥80 years of age in thoracic surgery in the near future. Our experience with these patients, their profiles, their reasons for admission, and the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches adopted for these patients, and the factors affecting their morbidity and mortality will serve as a guide to the thoracic surgery clinics that will frequently encounter geriatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hydatid cysts may occur in almost every organ and tissue of human the body. Because they can be found in more than one organ/tissue, sometimes many operations may need for them and surgical intervention may be required due to complications that may develop secondary to hydatid cyst surgery albeit few. Method: Data on patient files retrieved from the hospital information management system or archive were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical results of patients operated with the diagnosis of hydatid cyst between 2008 and 2018 in our clinic were discussed retrospectively. Results: Ninety-three operations were performed in 84 patients due to pulmonary hydatid cysts. Fourty-four of them were male (52.4%), 40 were female and their mean age was 44 (5-85) years. Twenty-two (26.2%) patients were asymptomatic and 62 (73.8%) were symptomatic. Hydatid cysts were located in right hemithorax in 45 (53.6%) patients, in left hemithorax in 30 (35.7%) patients and bilaterally in 9 (10.7%) patients. Twenty-six patients (31%) had both pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts. Posterolateral thoracotomy and cystotomy-capitonnage were the most common methods (89.3%), 9 patients (10.7%) underwent wedge resection. Four patients developed atelectasis, 2 patients had hydropneumothorax, 4 patients had isolated prolonged air leak, 1 patient developed massive pulmonary embolism, and 1 patient developed Aspergillus infection the quilted cavity. Conclusions: Hydatid cyst disease has still been a serious health concern in Turkey. When the careful and experienced surgeons perform the operations, the postoperative period is usually uneventful and morbidity is extremely low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, we wanted to draw attention to the spontaneous pneumomediastinum which rarely seen and to share our experiences. Materials and Methods: Between April 2016 - April 2018, we retrospectively evaluated 12 patients who were hospitalized and treated with SPM diagnosis at Health Practice and Research Center. Results: Of the 12 patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, 9 (75%) were male and 3 (25%) were female. Patients had a mean age of 30.5 years (range 15-42 years), 2 patients admitted to the emergency service with swelling and dyspnea complaints, 1 patient with cough and vomiting, 1 patient with cough and chest pain, 3 patients with dyspnea and chest pain, 3 patients with sore throat and chest pain, 2 patients with swelling in the neck after the tooth extraction. 6 (50%) of the patients had a smoking history. Conclusions: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a disease that is seen rarely in emergencies and should be treated. Sometimes life-threatening complications may develop. Other disorders in differential diagnosis should be eliminated in spontaneous pneumomediastinum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the texts of the Oghuz Kagan Epic in Uyghur and Persian there are information about the Khalaj. In particular, Islamic geographers and scholars among 10th and 14th centuries gave information about the tribe in question. In the mentioned sources, Khalajs are in the form of "Khalach, Khalaj, Khilji, Khalaji." Khalajs were among first Turkic groups living in Tokharistan region. The word "Khalaj" was first used in the last quarter of the 7th century in the two Bactrian documents in the Samangan province in the south of Amu Darya. The name "Khalaj" is in the form of "Xalaso" in the Bactrian documents. They are identified with the names "Hedaluozhi"-"Gedaluozhi" in Xin Tangshu, the Chinese source. They are called "Hitivira Kharalaca" on the coins in Brahmi. There are various opinions on the origins of the Khalaj. In particular, the information provided on that they are the same as the "Karluq" tribe and that they are the remains of the Ephthalites are of great importance. Apart from these views, there are historians who stated that they belonged to the "Oghuz.". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the Editor, The clinical expression of COVID-19 has been thoroughly described, as also in a recent report in this journal from Beijing, China [[1]]. Herein, mean hospitalization duration of the all COVID 19 patients was 6.6 ± 4.3 days. Demographic and baseline laboratory features of the COVID-19 patients with or without prolonged hospitalization (>=7 days) and Odds ratios of the variables for prolonged hospitalization. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis X (PLCHx) is a rare interstitial lung disease of unknown aetiology and occurs mostly in young smokers. Lung involvement alone accounts for >85% of the cases; other organs may be involved too (5%-15%). Case report: A 19-year-old boy was presented to the emergency service with sudden-onset, sharp, stabbing chest pain and dyspnoea. The patient had no history of smoking. His medical and family histories were negative for any disease. Thoracic radiography showed increased reticulonodular density with a near-total bilateral pneumothorax at the left and partially at the right. Hence, bilateral tube thoracostomy was performed. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed pronounced thin-walled cystic structures smaller than 10 mm and small millimetre-sized nodules in the upper and middle zones. Extrapulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis was excluded based on the radiological and laboratory findings. Based on the clinical and tomography findings, diagnosis of PLCHx was made. Conclusion: Our case highlights that PLCHx should be suspected in non-smokers. Further studies elucidating the aetiology of PLCHx are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent attacks of polyserositis. Even though clinical assessment is accepted to be the most important factor in the diagnosis of FMF, some diagnostic procedures may help the physician. In this study, we aimed to compare the number of diagnostic procedures performed and number of physician referrals in early diagnosed and late diagnosed cases. Furthermore, we assessed which diagnostic approaches would affect the decision‐making of physicians in the early diagnosed patients. Materials and methods: We enrolled into the study 143 FMF patients who met the Tel‐Hashomer Criteria. Demographic variables, MEFV mutations (when available), diagnostic procedures (if performed) and specialist referrals were evaluated. Early diagnosis was defined as establishment of definite diagnosis within a 5‐year period after the appearance of the first symptom. Results: Early diagnosed were referred to physicians less often, and except for genetic testing, had fewer diagnostic procedures. In addition to clinical features, MEFV testing was found to be the only method that might influence the diagnosis by a physician. Conclusions: MEFV gene assessment, unlike other diagnostic procedures, might support physicians in the early diagnosis of FMF. Especially in atypical cases, MEFV gene assessment might be considered for diagnosis of FMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rheumatologic diseases have systemic features. So, almost all medical specialities can refer some of their patients to rheumatology. There is 0.22 rheumatologists per a hundred thousand persons in Turkey. Suitability of patient referrals to rheumatology outpatient clinics may relate to early diagnosis and timely treatment of the patients with rheumatologic diseases. In this study, we aimed to determine the main clinical features of referred patients to the rheumatology clinic and frequency of final diagnosis of them. Methods: We enrolled 739 patients who were referred to Kartal Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital Rheumatology outpatient clinic in the recent year. We obtained patient name, age, gender, reason for referral, final diagnosis and referral physician information from the patient files. Results: Articular signs were found as the most common reason for referral. 392 (53.1%) patients were diagnosed with rheumatologic diseases. Osteoarthritis was the most frequent diagnosis. Signs, laboratory parameters and provisional diagnosis in referral forms were similar in both patients with rheumatologic and non-rheumatologic diseases. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment is the essential for rheumatologic diseases. Referring patients to rheumatology with high sensitivity contributes early diagnosis and helps for prevention of complication. Also, correct referral process may reduce inappropriate application to rheumatology clinics. Articular signs, high acute phase reactants and positive auto-antibodies were the most common reasons for referring. Most frequent diagnosis was osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to compare fear-avoidance (FA) beliefs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of hand patients and fibromyalgia (FM) patients and evaluate its relationship with RA activity and duration. Patients and methods: The study included 206 patients with RA (34 males, 172 females; mean age 49 years; range 20 to 72 years), 57 patients with FM (57 females; mean age 48 years; range 20 to 71 years), and 50 patients with OA of hand (4 males, 46 females; mean age 43 years; range 43 to 77 years). FA beliefs were assessed with modified Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (mFABQ). RA patients were dichotomized according to disease activity and disease duration separately; cutoff values were disease activity score 28 of 3.2 and six months of disease activity, respectively. Results: Modified Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire scores were similar in patients with RA, OA of hand, and FM. RA patients in non-remission group had higher mFABQ scores. Moreover, mFABQ scores were similar in RA patients with early and established disease groups. Conclusion: Fear-avoidance beliefs of patients with RA were similar with OA of hand patients and FM patients. However, higher disease activity in RA was related with escalated FA beliefs. Further studies focusing on pathophysiology of FA beliefs in patients with RA are warranted for effective pain management of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Belonging to the period of Second Turkic Kaghanate (682-745) the Orkhon Inscriptions let erected in behalf of Bilge Kaghan's brother Kül Tigin and himself in 732 and 735 respectively. The first monument let erected by Kaghan upon the death of his brother, and the latter one by his own son after his death. The person who speaks in both inscriptions is Bilge Kagan personally. Yollugh Tigin wrote both inscriptions with his nickname "atïsï". In the scholarly community, it suggested that Orkhon Inscriptions have a type of "commemorative", also it has been said that Kagan conveyed some information about the history of the Turkic Kaghanate and given some advices to "Turkish Nation". However, in the article, we will show that judging by the historical process this is not true and either inscriptions are a kind of "order, edict, and decree". Because, either itself in the inscriptions, or in edicts (firmans) of many later Turkish states are mentioned phrases in the meaning of "my order, my edict, my command".) In the Orkhon Inscriptions this phrase has the word "sabïm" (lit. my word, that is "my command"), in the firmans of the later Turkish rulers, for instance in the letters / edicts of Uzun Hasan Beg of Akkoyunlu, it has a word "sözümüz" (lit. our words, that is, "our order") and finally"buyurdum ki" (lit. I ordered that) in the edicts of the sultans of Ottoman Empire. Likewise, in edicts of the rulers of Chingizid and Timurid periods, the word "üge manu" (lit. myword) is mentioned with the same meaning but in Mongolian. In this article, it will be explained with the examples that this matter how progresses diplomatically throughout history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lateral wedge insoles have been used for the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) and have been shown to reduce loading of the medial compartment of the knee. However, as the entire lower extremity acts as a single kinetic chain, altering the biomechanics of the knee may also have significant effects at the ankles or hips. We aimed to evaluate the effects of lateral wedge orthotics on ankle and hip joints, compared to neutral orthotics, by assessing the changes in joint space width (JSW) during 36 months of continuous use.Methods: We prospectively enrolled 109 subjects with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the medial knee according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The trial was double blind and patients were randomized to either wedged or neutral orthotic shoe inserts. Hip and ankle JSWs were quantified using plain radiographies at baseline and at 36-months follow-up.Findings: 45 patients completed the 36 month study. 31 of those who completed the study were using the lateral wedge versus 14 were using neutral orthotics. 2 patients in the wedge group had missing radiographs and were not included in the JSW analyses. There were no significant differences between the wedge and the neutral orthotics groups in the magnitude of JSW change at either the hip or the ankles at 36 month.Interpretation: We found no significant adverse effects of the lateral wedges on ankles or hips. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00076453). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and pattern of cognitive dysfunction observed in primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) and to examine the relationships between cognitive abilities, depression, fatigue, and quality of life. Materials and Methods Thirty-two subjects with PSS were compared with 19 healthy controls on comprehensive neuropsychological, depression, fatigue, health state, and daily-life activities tests. Results There was low performance in Clock Drawing, COWAT, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), Colorless Word Reading (Stroop1) and Recognizing Colors (Stroop2) Patterns of STROOP test, SDLT, Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), immediate and long-term verbal memory, Benton Judgment of Line Orientation Test (BJLOT), and in all the patterns of RCFT in PSS patients compared to the healthy control group ( p < .05). It was observed an increased depression frequency and fatigue severity, impairment in health condition, and a decreased quality of life in PSS cases compared to the healthy controls ( p < .05). All the depression, fatigue severity, and quality of life tests showed a significant positive correlation with each other ( p < .05). A significant negative correlation between Clock Drawing and SF-36-BP ( p = .031, r = −.382) and SF-36-GH ( p = .027, r = −.392) was observed. Conclusions Clock Drawing, PASAT, and AVLT are very useful tests to determine the subclinical and clinical cognitive dysfunction to evaluate attention, information processing speed, executive functions, and short-term and long-term verbal memory in PSS patients. Depression and fatigue may not affect the neuropsychological tests performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized with autonomous overproduction of parathyroid hormone without signs or symptoms associated with hyperparathyroidism. Before symptoms become obvious, PHPT may affect structures like sacroiliac joints, which consist of bone. So, in the asymptomatic PHPT patients, structural and inflammatory changes in sacroiliac joints may lead to confusion during diagnosis workup of axial spondyloarthropathy. In this study, we evaluated active and chronic sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes relevant to sacroiliitis in the patients with asymptomatic PHPT and interpreted bone marrow edema within the scope of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society-Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (ASAS-OMERACT) criteria. Forty-nine patients with asymptomatic PHPT, 26 patients with newly diagnosed axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA), and 37 healthy controls were enrolled. All subjects were evaluated by sacroiliac MRI for four active (bone marrow edema, enthesitis, capsulitis, and synovitis) and four chronic (subchondral sclerosis, subchondral/periarticular erosions, periarticular fat deposition, and bony bridges/ankylosis) lesions relevant to sacroiliitis. Bone marrow edema compatible with ASAS-OMERACT active sacroiliitis criteria in sacroiliac MRI was fulfilled by 16.3 % (8/49) of the asymptomatic PHPT patients which was similar with controls but statistically lower than axial SpA. Moreover, asymptomatic PHPT patients and controls were similar for other chronic or active MRI findings. Also, we detected lower frequency of all other MRI findings, except enthesis, in asymptomatic PHPT patients according to axial SpA. Acute inflammatory including bone marrow edema fulfilling ASAS-OMERACT active sacroiliitis criteria and chronic structural sacroiliac lesions relevant to sacroiliitis in MRI were detected in asymptomatic PHPT similar frequency with controls but as expected, lower than axial SpA. But, these findings could not be attributed to excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Cognitive dysfunction is a neurologic manifestation in primary Sjögren syndrome ( PSS). On the other hand, several antibodies are related to cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study is to assess the cognitive dysfunction of PSS patients via detailed neurologic tests. Moreover, its associations with antibodies were also evaluated. Method Twenty-eight female patients with PSS and 17 healthy controls comprised the study groups. Short-term memory, long-term memory, verbal learning, visual memory, visual spatial perception, attention, verbal frequency function, executive functions and information processing speed were evaluated with neurologic tests in both of the study groups. Furthermore, anti- N-methyl-D-aspartate ( NMDA) type anti-glutamate-receptor antibody, anti-ribosomal-p and antiganglioside antibodies were assessed in the study groups. Results The attention, data processing speed, verbal learning, short-term verbal memory and visuo-spatial perception performances were lower in the patients with PSS when compared to the healthy controls. The difference reached statistical significance in Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test ( P < 0.01), Serial Digit Learning Test ( P < 0.01), clock drawing ( P = 0.03), Auditory Verbal Learning Test immediate verbal memory ( P = 0.01) and Benton Judgement of Line Orientation Test ( P = 0.03). Even if antiganglioside antibodies were more likely to be present in the PSS group when compared to the healthy controls, no relationship was found between its positivity and cognitive dysfunction. Conclusion Results of this study suggest that cognitive dysfunction is quite prevalent in PSS patients without being associated with studied antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

İmmünoterapi, immün sistemin kanser ile savaşması için aktive edilmesidir. Non-spesifik immün aktivasyon, adoptif hücre transferi, aşılar ve son olarak da immün check point inhibitörleri tedavide kullanılmaktadır. Tümör hücreleri, çevre dokulardan farklı özellikler göstermektedir. Treg hakimiyetinin olduğu ve TGF-beta gibi immün sistemi baskılayan sitokinlerin hakimiyetinin gözlendiği, immün açıdan tolerejenik bir ortamdır. Bu yüzden anti-tümör immünitesi yetersiz kabul edilmektedir. Immüne check point inhibitörleri, inhibitör sinyalleri azaltarak veya yardımcı sinyalleri artırmak suretiyle anti-tümör aktiviteyi artırmaktadır. Ana olarak CTLA-4, LAG-3, TIM-3, KIR ve PD-1 kontrol yolaklarını etkileyen tedavi seçenekleri günümüzde kullanılmaktadır. Esas olarak immün sistemin aktive etmeleri nedeni ile yan etki olarak oto-immün hastalıklara da yol açabilmektedirler. Bu yan etkiler, genelde tedavinin başlamasını takiben, 2 ila 16. haftalar arasında en sık gözlenmektedir. Treg baskılanması ve T-hücre aktivasyonu yan etkilerin patogenezinde rol oynamaktadır. Her organ tutulabilmektedir. Romatolojik açıdan en sık yan etki, yaklaşık üç hastadan birinde gözlenen artraljidir. Bunun yanında artrit, vaskülit, miyozit diğer sık görülen romatolojik bulgulardır. İmmün check point inhibitörleri ile relaps da gözlenebilmektedir. Relapslar en sık romatoid artrit, psoriatik artrit başta artrit semptomunda tespit edilmektedir. Tedavide mevcut semptomların kanser progresyonundan ayırt edilmesi öncelik kazanmaktadır. Artraljisi olan hastada non-steroidal antienflamatuvar ilaçlar önceliklidir. Artrit veya dirençli artraljide semptomu kontrol edecek, en düşük dozda steroid tercih edilebilir. Tedavinin yetersiz olduğu durumda da klasik sentetik DMARD tedavileri kullanılabilir. TNF gibi ileri tedavilerin başlanması ile tartışmalıdır. İlacı kesme, tümörün evresi ve progresyon riski ile romatolojik bulgunun şiddeti ve tedavisinin getirdiği risk karşılaştırılarak karar verilebilir. Hayatı tehdit eden miyozit gibi durumlarda ilacın kesilmesi uygun olacaktır. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 40-year-old male patient was admitted with shortness of breath and chest pain. Ventilation/perfusion scan showed high risk for pulmonary embolism, and portal thrombosis was observed with portal magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Active renal involvement, pancytopenia, and hemolytic anemia were also observed. Laboratory tests for lupus anticoagulant, antinuclear antibody, and anti-double-stranded DNA were positive. After other possible diagnoses were excluded, connective tissue disease and possible catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAFS) were diagnosed. The patient had all high-risk factors of CAFS. After diagnosis, a total of 6 grams of pulsatile steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, and anticoagulation was administered. Blood and kidney function improved with aggressive treatment. Parenteral cyclophosphamide, oral steroid therapy, and anticoagulation was initiated as maintenance therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients suffer from several different musculoskeletal symptoms similar to spondyloarthropathy. Colchicine is generally ineffective in treating these symptoms, unlike its effects on serositis. Therefore, these patients can be classified into a different disease class: The musculoskeletal variant of FMF. Additionally, studies should be conducted on these patients to evaluate both the disease characteristics of this subgroup and treatment options for the variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

History of studies on the Silkroad begins with Zhang Qian, a famous Chinese ambassador in the East, in the second half of the 2nd century BC in the East, and with Maes Titianus, a Greek trader in the West in the early years of the 1st century AD. In the Antiquity and Early Middle Ages, the Silkroad began to its journey from Antiochia in the West through the territories of Northern Mesopotamia and Iran and then the Western and Eastern Turkestan in Central Asia and finished in Chang'an and Loyang, the two capitals of China in the East. The course of this route through Iranian territory generally stayed closed during the times of the states founded in Iran, such as Parthians and Sasanians because they liked to getting more profits from the silk trade and other products. At the end, the Roman trade with the East through the Red Sea was prevented by the Sasanians towards 570s, and Justinus II, the Byzantine Emperor had to pass the route through the northern regions of the Aral Lake and the Black Sea, negotiating with the rulers of the 1st Turkic Kaganate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a framework is suggested to deal with the analysis of global environmental risk governance. Climate Change is taken as a particular form of contemporary environmental risk, and mobilised to refine and characterize some salient aspects of new governance challenges. A governance framework is elaborated along three basic features: (1) a close relationship with science, (2) an in-built reflexivity, and (3) forms of governmentality. The UNFCCC-centered system is then assessed according to this three-tier framework. While the two-first requisites are largely met, the analysis of governmentality points to some institutional weak spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Scientific progress can be directly measured by the growth of the scientific archive. To our knowledge, there has never been a systematic evaluation of the number and properties of the publications of rheumatologists. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the properties of these papers. Material and Methods: All papers that were published between 2000 and 2011 by at least one rheumatologist author and that were indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded were evaluated. For this purpose, we used the ISI web of knowledge web of science software. Results: Original articles were the most common document type. Most of the papers were published in rheumatology journals. From the point of the number of published papers, the top 3 countries were United States, England, and Germany; the top 3 journals were Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, Rheumatology, and Arthritis and Rheumatism, and the top 3 institutes are Harvard University, Leiden University, and The Imperial College of Science, Technology. Moreover, the publications of rheumatologists increased annually between 2000 and 2011. Conclusion: This paper is an overview of the publications of rheumatologists between 2000 and 2011.The results indicate an increasing trend of scientific productivity for rheumatologists. The outcomes about countries, institutions, and journals are in concordance with the general medical publication trends. More than half of the publications written by rheumatologist were published by rheumatology journals. We consider only quantitative data about publications; new research is required to qualitatively evaluate the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaç: Sistemik enflamatuvar hastalıklarda, hastalık patogenezinde rol oynayan ve/veya hastalık aktivitesine bağlı değişim gözlenen sitokinlere ve tedavilere bağlı metabolik sendrom daha sık gözlenmektedir. Multi-sistemik bir enflamatuvar hastalık olan sarkoidozda da metabolik sendromun daha sık gözlendiğini gösteren çalışma mevcuttur. Ancak tedaviden bağımsız, yeni tanı sarkoidoz hastalarında metabolik sendrom sıklığı değerlendirilmemiştir. Bu çalışmada amaç sarkoidoz hastalığı olan bireylerde tanı anında dahi metabolik sendrom daha sık gözlenir hipotezinin sınanmasıdır. Yöntem: Sarkoidoz tanısını yeni almış ve sarkoidoz ile ilişkili herhangi bir tedavi almamış 133 hasta çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Bu hastaların metabolik sendrom sıklığı, yaş (indeks hastanın yaşı ± sarkoidoz hastalarının standart sapması) ve cinsiyet olarak eşleşmiş 133 kontrol hastası ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Metabolik sendrom tanısı NCEP-ATP III sınıflama kriterlerine göre konmuştur. Devamlı değişkenler Mann-Whitney U testi ve kategorik değişkenler ki-kare testi ile karşılaştırılmıştır. P<0,05 istatistiksel olarak anlamlı kabul edilmiştir. Bulgular: Her iki grupta 95 (%71,4)'şer kadın hasta bulunmaktaydı. Her iki grubun yaş ortalaması benzer olarak bulunmuştur (p=0,14). Sarkoidoz grubunda 37 %(27,8) hastaya, kontrol grubunda ise 9 (%6,8) hastaya metabolik sendrom tanısı konmuştur. Metabolik sendrom sıklığı anlamlı olarak yeni tanı sarkoidoz hastalarında kontrol grubuna daha fazla bulunmuştur (risk oranı: 5,3, CI: %95 2,4-11,5, p<0,001). Sonuç: Bu çalışma sonucunda, birçok enflamatuvar hastalıkta gözlendiği üzere yeni sarkoidoz hastalarında da tedaviden bağımsız olarak metabolik sendromun daha sık gözlendiği tespit edilmiştir. Bu açıdan primer hastalık tedavisi yanında, kardiyovasküler hastalık riski ile ilişkili olan metabolik sendrom açısından da hastaların yakın takibi uygun olacaktır. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sterile suppurative arthritis is characterized by neutrophilic infiltration of joints without any causative pathogen. Here, we present a 32-year-old man with refractory osteitis and erosive suppurative oligoarthritis with pannus. Treatments with multiple disease modifying antirheumatic drugs were all unsuccessful. However, he had clinical response to colchicine and the synovial hypertrophy and the pannus in the MRI of his left shoulder resolved. In this case, the effects of colchicine on neutrophils might have played a role in treating neutrophilic sterile suppurative arthritis, which, in adults, might be a distinct oligoarticular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

59-year-old man suffering from abdominal pain and having high acute phase reactants was admitted to hospital. Aortitis was discovered incidentally with magnetic resonance that was performed for another prediagnosis. Steroid and azathioprine combination was unsuccessful for remission and preventing relapses. However, steroid and methotrexate combination was successful for clinical and laboratory remissions. Also, the iliac artery occlusion was improved with stent implementation. In general, isolated idiopathic aortitis is a very rare entity and hard to be diagnosed. In this case, we describe a patient with aortitis that has only abdominal pain and treated with steroid and methotrexate combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A clinically practical tool to assess skin biomechanical properties rapidly and accurately is still lacking. Our aim was to examine the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of a myotonometer for objective skin property assessment in systemic sclerosis (SSc), comparing it with the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), and distinguishing patients from healthy controls. Method: Thirty-four patients (21 limited and 13 diffuse SSc), and 31 age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Skin tone and stiffness were measured at four different anatomical sites (the forearm, hand, leg, and foot) using a myotonometer. The correlation between the mRSS and skin properties was assessed. Also, hand functionality was evaluated for possible correlations between the variables. The differences in skin properties between dcSSc and lcSSc patients, and healthy controls were assessed using variance analysis. Results: Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility were excellent (ICC = 0.70 to 0.98) for tone and stiffness except for non-dominant hand tone, which showed good reliability (ICC = 0.64 to 0.74). Stiffness and tone values of the hands, forearms, and feet significantly correlated with mRSS total score (r = 0.40 to 0.71, p < 0.05). Additionally, tone and stiffness of the hands and forearms moderately correlated with hand function (p < 0.05). Tone and stiffness values increased in patients with dcSSc compared to healthy controls, or patients with lcSSc, at the hands, forearms, and legs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the potential utility of the myotonometer for assessing skin properties and differentiating SSc patients from controls, demonstrating its promise as a valuable clinical evaluation tool in this context. Key Points •The myotonometer displayed excellent intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility for assessing skin properties. •Skin tone and stiffness parameters well correlated with the mRSS scores. •The myotonometer can distinguish patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc from healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The cross‐sectional study aimed to assess myocardial functions using global longitudinal strain (GLS) echocardiography and arrhythmia parameters with treatment naive newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Seventy seven newly diagnosed treatment‐naive RA patients were enrolled. Disease severity was evaluated according to rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti‐citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positivity, and Disease Activity Score 28 C‐reactive protein (DAS28 CRP). Myocardial functions were assessed using conventional echocardiography and GLS technique and electrocardiogram parameters cQT and Tp‐e/cQT. Results: Twenty three patients had severe disease while 54 patients were non‐severe. The Left Ventricle GLS (17.98 ± 1.24 vs 21.29 ± 1.03, P <.001), cQT (428.71 ± 9.05 vs 394.61 ± 17.83, P <.001), Tp‐e/cQT (0.19 ± 0.02 vs 0.16 ± 0.01, P <.001) for severe RA patients was reduced compared to RA non‐severe patients. Penalized maximum likelihood estimation logistic regression analysis revealed LVGLS as the only significantly independent predictor of severe RA disease (OR 0.70, CI 95% 0.52‐0.92, P =.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the LVGLS was revealed 19.9 as GLS discriminative value with 88.8% positive predictive value for predicting severity. Severe RA risk increases when log‐odds value was over 0, corresponds to LVGLS value less than 18 by partial effect plots. Conclusion: RA severity was associated with lower LV systolic myocardial function and increased arrhythmia parameters. Only LVGLS was significantly independent predictor of RA disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To the best of our knowledge, there is no study evaluating the infectious features of Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in the literature. Here, we tested two hypotheses: infection is more common in FMF and FMF severity and infection may be linked. Methods: We included three groups: FMF (363 patients), spondyloarthropathy (SpA-patients) (112 patients) and control (121 patients). We screened participants for infection characteristics in the last year with a pre-approved and validated questionnaire. Firstly, we compared infection rates, frequency of infection types, and infection severity within groups. We then evaluated the factors associated with infection in FMF. Results: We found that infection rates were similar in FMF, SpA-patients and controls. However, admission to the infection outpatient clinic was more common in FMF (p=0.001) and the duration of workforce loss due to infection was longer in FMF than controls (p=0.002). Furthermore, FMF-patients with infection had higher disease severity (p=0.004), high acute phase reactants between attacks (p=0.006) and more site involvement during attacks (p<0.001). In multivariate analyses, the latter was found to be significant (p=0.003). Conclusion: We discovered no increase in the infection rate of FMF patients. Patients with infections, on the other hand, may have more severe FMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMethodsResultsConclusionThis study aimed to explore the relationship between treatment adherence, visual acuity, quality of life (QoL), depression, and anxiety levels in individuals with Behçet’s uveitis (BU).A total of 55 BU patients and 55 healthy controls completed sociodemographic questionnaires, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-BREF version (WHOQOL-BREF), Self-reported Questionnaire About Treatment Compliance, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). The scores obtained from these scales were analyzed to assess the relationship between treatment adherence, visual acuity, QoL, depression, and anxiety levels.The results revealed that 36 (65.4%) of the 55 BU patients exhibited depressive symptoms, while 45 (81.8%) of them experienced symptoms of anxiety. Patients with BU demonstrated significantly higher BAI and BDI scores compared to the healthy control group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the patient group reported lower mean scores across multiple domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, including general health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant association was observed between low treatment adherence and lower values of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (p < 0.05), as well as a higher frequency of uveitis attacks (p = 0.005).Poor treatment adherence in BU patients has a negative effect on final visual acuity outcomes. Moreover, BU patients experience lower QoL and higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to the healthy control group. These findings highlight the importance of addressing treatment adherence and psychological well-being in the management of BU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaç: Behçet hastalığı (BH) rekkürrenaftözstomatit, üveit, genital ülserler ve cilt lezyonlarıyla karakterize bit hastalıktır. BH gelişiminde; bir çok antijenin uyarısına bağlı olarak çeşitli sitokinlerin salınımı sonucu, nötrofillerin aktivasyonunun rol oynadığı gösterilmiştir. Tam kan sayımındaki nötrofilllerin lenfositlere oranı (N/L) inflamatuvar hastalıklar, maligniteler, koroner arter hastalığı gibi çeşitli hastalıklarla ilgili araştırmaların hedefindeki popüler bir parametredir. Bu çalışmada BH'danötrofil lenfosit oranının tanı ve takipteki kullanılabilirliğini tespit etmeyi amaçladık. Yöntem: Çalışmamızda Ocak 2013-Ağustos 2013 tarihleri arasında Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Romatoloji Polikliniğince takip edilen, enfeksiyonu olmayan 30 Behçet tanılı ve 30 sağlıklı kontrol grubu retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi, hastaların N/L oranı hesaplanarak iki grup kıyaslandı. Ayrıca Behçet hastalarında C-reaktif protein (CRP) ve sedimentasyon değerlerinin N/L oranı ile korelasyonu hesaplandı. Sayısal veriler medyan olarak belirtildi. Sayısal verilerin karşılaştırılmasında Mann-Whitney-U testi, korelasyonunda ise Spearman korelasyon testi kullanıldı. Bulgular: Çalışmaya alınan Behçet grubunda 21'i (%70) kadın, 9'u (%30) erkek 30 hasta; kontrol grubundada 21'i (%70) kadın, 9'u (%30) erkek 30 hasta mevcuttu. Behçet grubundaki hastaların yaşlarının medyanı 38.5 (29.75-42.75), 2. gruptaki hastaların medyanı 40.0 (23.0-55.5) olarak hesaplandı ve aralarındaki fark anlamlı bulunmadı (p>0.05). Çalışmamızdaki Behçet hastaların hiçbirinde aktif organ tutulumu gözlenmemekteydi. Behçet grubunda N/L oranı medyanı 1.962 (1.310-2.338), kontrol grubunda ise 1.997 (1.407-2.406) olarak hesaplandı. iki grup arasında N/L oranı farkı anlamlı bulunmadı (p>0.05). Behçet grubunda CRP ile N/L oranı arasındaki korelasyon anlamlı bulundu (r=0.462, p=0.010). Sedimentasyon değeri ile N/L oranı arasında korelasyon gözlenmedi (r=0.151, p=0.436). Sonuç: Çalışmamızda Behçet hastalarının aktif organ tutulumunun olmaması nedeni ile kontrol grubu ile, N/L oranı açısından farklılık tespit edilmemiş olabilir. Buna rağmen Behçet hastalarında CRP ile N/L oranındaki korelasyon BH'daki inflamatuvar sürecin N/L oranı artışı ile takip edilebilirliği yorumuna neden olmaktadır. Organ tutulumu sırasında farklılık saptanıp saptanamayacağı ise ileri çalışmalarda değerlendirilmelidir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydatid disease caused by echinococci is seen endemically in Turkey. Its location in tissues outside of the liver and lung is rare. Most of the mass lesions involving the sternum are malignant. We present a case of hydatid cyst located in the sternum and eroding it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating patients in terms of SpA and discovering significant apical fibrosis even in patients without SpA provided a more realistic and scientific outcome. When we discovered apical fibrosis as the most common thorax CT sign, we needed to differentiate patients with SpA because apical fibrosis is commonly seen in SpA. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction : Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is one of the common autoinflammatory diseases with multisystemic manifestation. Pleuritis is the only known pulmonary involvement of FMF; however, as far as we know, thoracic involvements in pleural, parenchymal, bronchial, and vascular structures have not been evaluated yet. Method: We included 243 consecutive FMF patients who applied to our clinic within the last 5 years and were requested to have a thorax CT for any reason and 122 trauma patients without any comorbidity. An experienced radiologist evaluated the thorax CT images blindly according to the relevant guidelines. We then presented the common incidental pulmonary and mediastinal findings on the thorax CT. Additionally, we compared patients with and without lung involvement according to demographic and disease-related parameters. Results: In our study, 167 of 243 patients (68.7%) had at least one of the pulmonary findings on their thorax CT. The most common pulmonary findings were apical fibrosis in 96 (39.5%) patients, parenchymal fibrotic changes in 48 (19.8%) patients, and a solitary parenchymal nodule smaller than 4 mm in 33 (13.6%) patients. All demographic, genetic, and disease-related characteristics, including the frequency of spondyloarthropathy, were similar in patients with and without pulmonary findings. Conclusions: We showed that the most common incidental pulmonary finding in our FMF cohort was apical fibrosis on thoracic CT. Our data did not show causality between FMF and apical fibrosis; therefore, more studies are needed to evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of apical fibrosis in FMF. Key Points • More than two-thirds of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients in our study group who underwent a thoracic scan for any reason had pulmonary and mediastinal findings on thorax computed tomography (CT). • In our FMF cohort, the most common incidental pulmonary finding on their thorax CT was apical fibrosis. • All demographic and disease-related characteristics, including the frequency of spondyloarthritis, were similar between patients with and without pulmonary and mediastinal findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case studies of two monozygotic twin 40-year-old male patients with risk factors of hypertension and smoking and were diagnosed with coronary artery anomalies.