Air pollution in marmara region before and during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The lockdowns and curfews during the COVID-19 pandemic have halted economic and transportation activities across the world. This study aims to investigate air pollution levels in the Marmara region, particularly in Istanbul, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used real data provided by the General Directorate of Meteorology and applied three machine learning algorithms (ANN, RBFreg, and SMOreg) to analyze air pollution data. In addition, a one-sample t-test was performed to compare air pollution levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Marmara region and Istanbul. The results of the study showed a significant reduction in the particulate matter (PM) value, which indicates the degree of air pollution, in both the Marmara region and Istanbul during the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-sample t-test results showed that the reduction in air pollution levels was statistically significant in both areas (t = 11.45, p < .001 for the Marmara region, and t = 3.188, p < .001 for Istanbul). These findings have important practical implications for decision-makers planning for a more sustainable environment. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air pollution levels in the Marmara region, particularly in Istanbul. The application of machine learning algorithms and statistical analysis provides a rigorous approach to the investigation of this important issue by comparing before and during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Glenoid Morphology and Related Parameters in Turkish Society.

Introduction Glenoid morphology may vary in different ethnic groups. Detection of these differences may be important in preoperative planning, especially in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. In this study, we investigated the mean glenoid size and retroversion in Turkish society and their relationship with the dominant side, gender, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Materials and methods Between 2019 and 2021, 102 shoulders of 51 patients (24 females/27 males, 51 left/51 right) who were included in shoulder joint imaging during thorax CT scanning were examined. Those with glenoid fracture, arthrosis, shoulder surgery or deformity, or younger than 18 years of age were not included in the study. The mean age was 41.69 (range: 18-73) years. Glenoid anterior-posterior diameter (D) and glenoid version (GV) were measured in axial slices, and glenoid height (H) was measured in coronal slices. The correlation of these parameters with gender, height, weight, and dominant side was examined. Results Mean D was 25.79±4.44 mm, mean H was 29.08±4.08 mm, and mean GV was -0.99°±0.92°. The mean height of the patients was 162±16.23 cm and the mean weight was 71.9±15.36 kg. The glenoid diameter and height were smaller in females, however, no statistically significant difference was found in the glenoid version (p<0.01, p<0.01, and p=0.92). The glenoid on the dominant side was statistically significantly more retroverted, whereas D and H were not associated with dominance (p<0.01, p=0.9, and p=0.98). It was found that the glenoid sizes were very highly correlated with the patient's height, and it was highly correlated with the patient's weight (p<0.01 and p<0.01). On the other hand, height and weight were not correlated with the glenoid version (p=0.47 and p=0.81, respectively). There was no statistically significant relationship between BMI and glenoid sizes and glenoid version (p=0.14 and p=0.46, respectively). Conclusions Females in Turkish society had small glenoid sizes. Male gender, height, and weight were positively correlated with large glenoids. The glenoid was more retroverted on the dominant side. These findings should be considered in preoperative planning in Turkish society.

Impaired aortic elastic properties in primary osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases and associated with increased cardiovascular comorbidity and deaths. Elastic properties of aorta are closely associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In our study, we aimed to evaluate aortic stiffness in primary osteoarthritis patients. A total of 160 patients including 80 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis and 80 controls without osteoarthritis were included in the study. Additionally, osteoarthritis patients were divided into four subgroups according to the severity of the disease. Aortic parameters were evaluated by using transthoracic echocardiography method. While measurements of aortic stiffness of osteoarthritis group were higher compared to the control group (p < 0.01), aortic strain and aortic distensibility measurements of osteoarthritis group are lower than the control group (p < 0.01). Additionally, it was determined that as the severity of osteoarthritis increased also aortic stiffness increased highly significantly (p = 0.001). Presence and severity of osteoarthritis are closely associated with elastic properties of aorta, which are correlated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

An indicator of subclinical cardiovascular disease in patients with primary osteoarthritis: epicardial fat thickness.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic diseases seen in the elderly, and it is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The cause of this association is not fully known. We aimed to investigate the relationship between epicardial fat and the presence and the grade of primary knee OA for analyzing the relationship between visceral adiposity and primary OA, thereby revealing the increased subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in OA patients. In this cross-sectional study, subjects with primary knee osteoarthritis and a control group were compared with regard to epicardial fat thickness through transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, OA was divided into four stages and the relationship between the grade of OA and epicardial fat thickness was analyzed. Eighty subjects with primary knee OA and 50 controls were analyzed. There was no difference between groups with regard to age, gender and BMI. Epicardial fat thickness was greater in patients in the primary OA group compared to the control group (3.73±1.08 vs 3.30±0.61, respectively, P=0.005). In-group comparison of OA patients revealed that epicardial fat thickness was detected to increase as the grade of OA increased (P=0.001). A relationship was detected between the presence of OA and epicardial fat thickness and CRP levels in multivariate logistic analysis (P=0.017, P=0.047, respectively). There is a significant relationship between primary OA and epicardial fat thickness, which is a part of visceral adipose tissue. These results may indicate the relationship between OA and visceral fat tissue and, consequently, cardiovascular risk, so body weight alone may not be an identifying co-factor.

Simultaneous repair of chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tears during fixation of proximal humerus fractures and clinical results.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the incidence of chronic rotator cuff tears encountered during fixation of proximal humerus fractures with locking plate-screw systems, and evaluated the functional results of simultaneous surgical repair of these injuries. METHODS: A total of 111 patients underwent surgical treatment for proximal humerus fractures. Of these, nine patients (8 females, 1 male; mean age 73 years; range 56 to 84 years) who had concomitant chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tears were included in the study. According to the AO classification, the fractures were type 11A1 (12C1 also present) in one patient, 11A2 (12C2 also present) in one patient, 11B1 in two patients, 11B2 in three patients, and 11C2 in two patients. None of the patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Fracture fixation was made with the PHILOS plate in five patients, and with the S3 Proximal Humerus Plate in four patients. All full-thickness rotator cuff tears were detected during the operation. Following open reduction and internal fixation after a deltoid splitting incision, rotator cuff tears were repaired by primary suture in two patients, and with a suture anchor in seven patients. All the patients used a padded shoulder-arm sling for six weeks and received a standard rehabilitation program. All the patients were evaluated radiographically and functionally using the Constant-Murley shoulder score at postoperative 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. The mean follow-up period was 17.3 months (range 8 to 30 months). RESULTS: The incidence of full-thickness rotator cuff tears was 8.1%. All the patients had supraspinatus tears, which were accompanied by infraspinatus tears in three patients. The sizes of the tears were classified as large (between 3-5 cm) in three patients, intermediate (between 1-3 cm) in five patients, and small (<1 cm) in one patient. One patient had L-shaped, two patients had U-shaped, and six patients had C-shaped tears. None of the patients had healing problems or avascular necrosis. The mean Constant-Murley shoulder score was 85.4 (range 67 to 100). All the patients were satisfied with the results of surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: The integrity of the rotator cuff must be checked after reduction and fixation of proximal humerus fractures and, when present, the tears should be repaired simultaneously either primarily or with suture anchors. Simultaneous repair of rotator cuff tears does not negatively affect functional outcomes.