Search

Abstract In today’s increasingly interconnected globe, there continues to be a pressing need for thorough research that can shed light on the causes of HIV-related mortality and the primary factors at play in this epidemic. By using an annual dataset, this study analyzed the impact of behavioral risk factors, income, and human capital on HIV-related deaths (HIVD) across all countries and regions. The empirical findings of the panel regression demonstrate that drug use and unsafe sex have a statistically significant and positive effect on HIVD. On the other hand, mean years spent in school and gross national income per capita both have a statistically significant and negative influence on HIVD. The findings of the variance decomposition suggest that drug use should be confronted in wealthy nations to lower HIVD, but both human capital and economic development have a greater influence on the battle against HIVD in underdeveloped and developing countries. In addition, the findings of the panel Granger causality test demonstrate that factors other than unsafe sex can be used as leading indicators in the process of forecasting HIVD. According to these findings, economic variables, as well as behavioral risk factors in emerging nations, and in industrialized countries, should be taken into account when formulating strategies for preventing HIV/AIDS.

Purpose: The objective of this research was to ascertain if the portion of the automotive industry that engages in non-tradable goods or export goods is the principal driving force behind the industry's expansion. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by focusing on the automotive industry as its principal area of investigation.Methodology: Productivity growth in the automotive industry was estimated utilizing an innovative hypothetical extraction method (HEM) for both the non-tradable goods sector and the export goods sector. Following that, the weighted multipliers approach is employed to allocate the productivity across the non-tradable goods and export goods of the automotive industry.Findings: The findings indicate that the automotive industry maintains a strategy of development driven by exports. Production targeted for the domestic market is subject to significant limitations. Multinational automobile corporations tend to employ the strategy of exporting. The growth model of the automotive industry is significantly influenced by various institutional elements, including the Customs Union, taxes, and vertical integration. Originality: Although the automotive industry is an essential industry for exports, its growth model has not been comprehensively scrutinized. This study primarily focuses on investigating the growth model of the Turkish automotive industry and the institutional factors that influenced its strategic decisions.

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the imaging-guided percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) procedure in infants. METHODS: A total of 75 (50 boys; 66.7%) patients with a mean age of 121 days (range, 1–351 days) who underwent PCN over a period of 20 years were included in this retrospective study. For each patient, PCN indications, catheter size, the mean duration of catheterization, complications, and the procedure performed following nephrostomy were recorded. Technical success was determined based on the successful placement of the nephrostomy catheter within the pelvicalyceal system. Clinical success was defined as the complete resolution of hydronephrosis and improvement in renal function tests during follow-up. In patients with urinary leakage, technical and clinical success was determined based on the resolution of leakage. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%, and no procedure-related mortality was observed. In 11 patients (14.7%), bilateral PCN was performed. The most frequent indication of PCN was ureteropelvic junction obstruction (n = 41, 54.7%). Procedure-related major complications were encountered in two patients (methemoglobinemia and respiratory arrest caused by the local anesthetic agent in one patient and the development of urinoma caused by urinary leakage from the puncture site in the other). Mild urinary leakage was the only minor complication that occurred and only in one patient. Catheter-related complications were managed through replacement or revision surgery in 16 patients (21.3%). CONCLUSION: Imaging-guided PCN is a feasible and effective procedure with high technical success and low major complication rates, and it is useful for protecting kidney function in infants.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of interventional radiological (IR) procedures in iatrogenic urinary tract injury and investigate the factors affecting the outcome. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients (21 male) with a mean age of 50.3 ± 15.8 years referred for iatrogenic urinary tract injury were enrolled in this study. Technical success was defined as (i) successful placement of a nephrostomy catheter within the renal pelvis and/or (ii) successful antegrade ureteral stent placement (double J stent) between the renal pelvis and bladder lumen. Complete resolution was defined as maintained ureteral patency without an external drain and ureteral stent. The factors that may affect complete resolution [ureteral avulsion, ureterovaginal fistula (UVF), history of malignancy/radiotherapy, and time to IR management] were also investigated. The receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to estimate the cut-off time point for the IR management timing affecting complete resolution. RESULTS: The technical success rate for nephrostomy and ureteral stent placement was 100% (n = 58/58) and 78% (n = 28/36), respectively. In 14 patients, non-dilated pelvicalyceal systems were evident. In 18 patients, no further intervention after percutaneous nephrostomy was performed due to (i) poor performance status (n = 6) and (ii) reconstruction surgery upon clinicians’ and/or patients’ request (n = 12). Reconstruction surgery was required in 11 of the remaining 40 patients due to failure of percutaneous treatment (n = 11/40, 27.5%). In six of the patients, ureteral stents could not be removed due to the development of benign ureteral strictures (n = 6/40, 15%). Our complete resolution rate was 57.5% (n = 23/40). Age, gender, type of surgery (endoscopic or open), side and location of the injury did not statistically affect the complete resolution rate. The presence of ureteral avulsion, history of malignancy and radiotherapy individually or in combination significantly affected the complete resolution rate negatively. The presence of UVF also had a negative effect on the complete resolution rate; however, it did not reach statistical significance. Delayed intervention was also a significant factor related to lower complete resolution. The optimal cut-off point of the time interval for favorable clinical outcome was found to be 0–19th day following the surgery. CONCLUSION: IR procedures are safe and effective in the management of iatrogenic urinary tract injuries. Antegrade ureteral stenting should be performed as soon as possible to establish ureteral integrity without the development of stricture.

Abstract Obstructions encountered in biliary, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts are increasing in number due to successful percutaneous and endoscopic organ-saving procedures. Although functional recovery is established to an extent, failure of traversing an obstruction may end up necessitating invasive surgical procedures. Multidisciplinary collaboration may traverse the limitations of each individual approach, therefore creating the perfect intervention for the patient. Magnetic compression anastomosis is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide a great outcome in select cases with biliary, gastrointestinal, or urinary tract obstructions. Critical relevance statement In this article, various applications of magnetic compression anastomosis are reviewed with illustrative cases of esophageal, biliary, colonic, and urinary obstructions that cannot be traversed with a wire. This method will expand the spectrum of interventions performed in the IR unit. Key Points Magnets can enable wire access beyond an impassable obstruction. Magnets can create anatomical and non-anatomical anastomosis at an occlusion. Magnetic compression anastomosis is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide great outcomes. Graphical Abstract

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are widely treated using microwave and radiofrequency ablation. Local tumor progression (LTP) may develop depending on the shortest vascular distance and large lesion diameter. This study aims to explore the effect of these spatial features and to investigate the correlation between tumor-specific variables and LTP. METHODS: This is a retrospective study covering the period between January 2007 and January 2019. One hundred twenty-five patients (CRLM: HCC: 64:61) with 262 lesions (CRLM: HCC: 142:120) were enrolled. The correlation between LTP and the variables was analyzed using the chi-square test, Fischer’s exact test, or the Fisher-Freeman-Halton test where applicable. The local progression-free survival (Loc-PFS) was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed for LTP in both CRLM and HCC at a lesion diameter of 30–50 mm (P = 0.019 and P < 0.001, respectively) and SVD of ≤3 mm (P < 0.001 for both). No correlation was found between the ablation type and LTP (CRLM: P = 0.141; HCC: P = 0.771). There was no relationship between residue and the ablation type, but a strong correlation with tumor size was observed (P = 0.127 and P < 0.001, respectively). In CRLM, LTP was associated with mutant K-ras and concomitant lung metastasis (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). In HCC, a similar correlation was found for Child–Pugh B, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level of >10 ng/mL, predisposing factors, and moderate histopathological differentiation (P < 0.001, P = 0.008, P = 0.027, and P < 0.001, respectively). In CRLM, SVD of ≤3 mm proved to be the variable with the greatest negative effect on Loc-PFS (P = 0.007), followed by concomitant lung metastasis (P = 0.027). In HCC, a serum AFP level of >10 ng/mL proved to be the variable with the greatest negative effect on Loc-PFS (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: In addition to the lesions’ spatial features, tumor-specific variables may also have an impact on LTP.

Background : : Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) is effective for colorectal cancer liver metastases. We aimed to investigate the impact of different variables on survival. Methods : : Sixty-four patients (142 lesions) who underwent thermoablation between January 2007 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS) and liver progression-free survival (Li-PFS) were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariable and multivariable Cox-regression were done to identify prognostic factors. Results : : No significant difference was found between median OS (59.39 months) and Li-PFS (41.22 months) of patients who received MWA (n = 33); and median OS (61.00 months) and Li-PFS (53.43 months) of patients who received RFA (n = 31) (OS: P = 0.697; Li-PFS: P = 0.122). The median OS and Li-PFS were significantly decreased with lung metastases and K-ras mutations (P < 0.001). There was no correlation between prior systemic chemotherapy (n = 25) and both outcome parameters (OS: P = 0.613; Li-PFS: P = 0.665). No significant difference was observed in patients with lesions less than 30 mm diameter (n = 44) whether they received prior systemic chemotherapy (n = 17) or not (n = 27) (OS: P = 0.27; Li-PFS: P = 0.42). Similarly, in patients with a lesion of 3-5 cm diameter (n = 20; eight of them had prior chemotherapy), there was no correlation for both outcomes (OS: P = 0.069; Li-PFS: P = 0.71). The most important prognostic factor was concomitant lung metastases (hazard ratio = 3.689, P = 0.002). Conclusion : : Concomitant lung metastasis and mutant K-ras were associated with shorter survival. Survival did not differ significantly regarding thermoablation technique or prior systemic chemotherapy. However, in the patient group with lung metastases, curative treatments had better survival than patients who received chemotherapy only. Additional therapeutic options should be considered in patients with concomitant lung metastasis.

PURPOSETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the placement and exchange of tandem ureteral stents (TUS) under fluoroscopic guidance in the management of indwelling single double-J stent (DJS) failure in patients with malignant ureteral obstruction. We also aimed to investigate whether the generally accepted exchange period of DJSs could be extended using TUS.METHODSThis retrospective study involved 11 patients (10 female) with an age range of 27–64 years, median of 49 years, who underwent TUS (ipsilateral two 8F DJSs) placement due to indwelling single DJS failure occurring in less than 3 months. TUS exchanges were performed initially at 6-month intervals, and subsequent exchange intervals were extended to 9 and 12 months for seven patients. The interval from initial TUS placement to percutaneous nephrostomy, repeat exchange, or death was defined as the duration of stent patency.RESULTSIndwelling single DJS failure occurred during a median follow-up of 45 days (range, 35–60 days) in 14 ureters of 11 patients. TUS were successfully placed and exchanged with a technical success rate of 100% without any early major complications. Thirty-nine procedures (11 placement and 28 exchange procedures) in 55 ureters were performed. The median duration of urinary patency was significantly higher with TUS [300 days (range, 60–440 days)] compared with single DJSs [45 days (range, 35–60 days)] (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONThe placement and exchange of TUS can be safely and effectively performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The need for frequent DJS exchange could be reduced with increased duration of stent patency using TUS.

Key points 1. MRE has high sensitivity and specificity in evaluating liver fibrosis in children. 2. MRE-LS is significantly correlated with histological Ishak fibrosis stage. 3. Comparing to other parameters, only MRE-LS is a predictor of fibrosis stage. 4. In the future, MRE may replace biopsy to evaluate liver fibrosis.

Percutaneous abscess drainage-related inadvertent bowel catheterization is an undesired complication that requires treatment. In two cases without signs of peritonitis that we examined, it was possible to achieve successful abscess drainage, and to treat abscess-related inadvertent bowel catheterization by using a novel technique without surgery.

Objective:Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide. Diagnosis of CE is predominantly based on imaging techniques and serological tests are used in cases of non-characteristic imaging findings as diagnostic reference. However, serological test results cannot be completely reliable as they are affected by multi-factors. P-selectin and resistin are inflammatory markers that are altered during the acute stages of infection. In this purpose, inflammatory markers as P-selectin and resistin have been investigated for a potential diagnostic reference for CE diagnosis.Methods:A total of 60 patients who were diagnosed with CE and twenty-five healthy individuals were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained from all participants. Obtained sera were evaluated using the P-selectin and resistin ELISA kits for protein levels. Additionally, the relative expression of SELP (P-selectin) and RETN (resistin) genes were determined using the comparative CT (ΔΔCT) method between groups as CE patients with active and inactive cysts, CE patients and healthy controls.Results:SELP (13.9-fold change, p0.05). There was no difference between active and inactive CE patients in terms of P-selectin and resistin in gene and protein levels (p>0.05).Conclusion:Although there was no difference between the active and inactive CE patients, the good differentiation between the healthy controls and the CE patients suggested that resistin is a potential inflammatory diagnostic reference.

Purpose: We aimed to analyze imaging tests and findings in a series of geriatric trauma patients admitted to emergency department (ED) at different time intervals. Materials and Methods: Two groups of 300 randomly selected patients over consecutive five-year periods were compared. Patients admitted in the first and second five-year periods were recorded as group I and II, respectively. A comprehensive comparison was carried out between two groups regarding the age, sex, reason for admission, comorbidities, Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), radiological findings and number of radiological examinations, dose length product (DLP) values and duration of hospital stay. Results: The number of patients who underwent X-ray and CT examinations and total number of X-rays and CT scans in group II was higher than those in group I. CT scans were negative for a trauma-related finding in 49% of patients in group I and 55% of patients in group II. In patients with radiological evidence of trauma, no significant difference was observed between two groups regarding the major trauma related change. However, the trauma-related minor findings on CT were more common in group II than in group I. Conclusion: Despite the increasing use of imaging tests, there was no difference in imaging findings suggesting major trauma or requiring a longer inpatient stay. This may be related to the increasing use of radiological examinations over the years as a result of the orientation towards defensive medicine.

This study aimed to examine the effect of reading attitude and reading engagement on reading skills success and the mediating role of reading attitude in the relationship between reading engagement and reading comprehension skills. The data for this research was collected in the spring of 2021. The "Reading Success Scale," "Reading Engagement Scale," and "Reading Attitude Scale" were applied to 491 students from the Central Anatolia region in Turkey. The TAP and IBM SPSS 24 software were used to analyze data obtained from the scales used in the study, while the macro mediation test Process 3.5.3 developed by Hayes (2018) was used to measure the mediators in the study. A mediating role model was established in the study to evaluate the hypotheses. The study revealed that reading engagement affects reading comprehension significantly and positively; reading attitude does not have a significant effect on reading comprehension; reading engagement affects reading attitude significantly and positively; and that, in the absence of reading attitude, reading engagement has a positive and significant effect on reading success The study further revealed that engagement in reading accounts for approximately 21% of the variation in reading attitude. In conclusion, the study suggests further exploration of the roles played by different variables in mediating the relationship between reading engagement and reading comprehension success.

An individual who has the ability to speak from birth continues the development of this skill in education and training environments after the family. In this regard, teachers have great responsibilities for the speaking skills to be acquired in educational environments. Teachers are expected to know about the development of children's speaking skills in order to transfer these skills to students. In addition, having a high level of knowledge about speaking skills is an indispensable element of effective teaching. Elementary school teachers, who spend the most time with students in the classroom, have a key role in helping students develop their speaking skills and easily transfer what they have learned to daily life skills. The study aims to determine the knowledge levels of elementary school teachers regarding speaking skills. The study was carried out with the survey model, one of the quantitative research methods. The study group of the research consists of 302 elementary school teachers. The data were collected with the "Knowledge Level Test on Speaking Skills" and analyzed with descriptive statistics, Independent Samples t-Test, One-way ANOVA. According to the results of the research, the arithmetic average of the elementary school teachers' knowledge of speaking skills was found to be 13.74 out of 18 total questions. In addition, while elementary school teachers' knowledge of speaking skills did not differ significantly according to the variables of gender, graduation, and location of the school, it showed a significant difference according to the professional experience variable.

Amaç: Kistik Ekinokokkozis, Echinococcus cinsi parazitlerin larva formunun insanlarda neden olduğu zoonotik bir hastalıktır. Tanı temelde invaziv olmayan görüntüleme tekniklerine dayanmaktadır. Tedavide görüntüleme eşliğinde yapılan perkütan girişimler büyük öneme sahiptir. Tedavi sırasında elde edilen kist içeriğine yapılan protoskoleks incelemesi tanının doğrulanmasında kullanılmaktadır. Ancak, negatif sonuç alınması tanıyı dışlamamaktadır. Bunun yanı sıra, moleküler yöntemler de kullanılmakta ancak her zaman saptanabilir DNA elde edilememektedir. Bu çalışmada, perkütan aspire edilmiş kist sıvılarında protoskoleks varlığı ile PCR sonuçları arasındaki korelasyonun araştırılması amaçlanmıştır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya, görüntüleme yöntemleri ile aktif hastalık tanısı almış ve perkütan giriş sırasında, diğer bir canlılık bulgusu olan, kaya suyu barındırdığı saptanan kistler dahil edilmiştir. Toplamda aspire edilen 71 hidatik kist sıvısı protoskoleks varlığı açısından incelenmiş, sonrasında ise mitokondriyal bir gen olan sitokrom oksidaz 1’i hedefleyen PCR gerçekleştirilmiştir. PCR sonucu pozitif olan tüm örnekler dizi analizi ile doğrulanmıştır.Bulgular: Protoskoleks incelemesine göre, 71 kist örneğinin, 32 %45 tanesinin pozitif, 39 tanesinin negatif olduğu saptanmıştır. Yapılan PCR sonucu örneklerin 54 %76 tanesinde pozitif, 17 tanesinde negatif sonuç izlenmiştir. İki inceleme karşılaştırıldığında, protoskoleks varlığı ile pozitif PCR sonucu arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur p

Abstract Acute abdominal pain can be seen in cases with parasitic diseases delivered to emergency departments. The diagnosis of the parasitic disease can be delayed because of the similar clinical signs encountered in other frequently seen causes of acute abdomen. Nevertheless, the features detected in imaging scans can be helpful in the diagnosis. The present study aims to raise awareness about abdominal parasitosis in emergency conditions and also to underline the association between imaging findings and the life cycle of parasites with illustrative cases.

PURPOSEWe aimed to investigate the reasons for hyperintensity at fat spared area in steatotic liver at hepatobiliary phase (HBP) on gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging.METHODSTwenty-two patients with focal fat spared area demonstrating hyperintensity on HBP images were included. A region of interest was placed on in- and opposed-phase images at fat spared area and liver to measure the fat. The measurement was also performed on precontrast T1-weighted and HBP images. The signal intensities of spleen, kidney, muscle, intervertebral disc, and spinal cord were also recorded.RESULTSThe mean fat fraction of liver and fat spared area was 24.86% (8%–46%) and 8.41% (1%–34%), respectively (P < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between liver parenchyma fat fraction and delta fat fraction (r=0.74, P < 0.001). The mean signal intensity values of fat spared areas were higher compared with liver on precontrast T1-weighted and HBP images (P < 0.001). The mean relative enhancement ratio of liver and fat spared areas were 0.98 (0.05–1.90) and 1.15 (0.22–2.03), respectively (P < 0.001). However, in 6 patients, the relative enhancement ratio of liver and fat spared areas were almost equal. The uptake of Gd-EOB at fat spared area was not correlated with the degree of steatosis (r = -0.01, P = 0.95).CONCLUSIONFat spared area in steatotic liver appears hyperintense on HBP images due to increased relative enhancement ratio and/or baseline hyperintensity on precontrast images.

Abstract The pericardium could be involved in a variety of clinical disorders. The imaging findings are not specific for an individual pathology in most of the cases; however, patient’s clinical history may guide radiologist to a definitive diagnosis. Congenital absence of the pericardium could be recognized with the imaging appearance of interposed lung tissue between the main pulmonary artery and aorta. Pericardial effusion is a non-specific condition that may occur due to inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic disorders. Cardiac tamponade may occur in case of massive or rapid accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac. Pericardial calcification is a common and easily identified entity on a computed tomography (CT) scan. Presence of calcification and/or fibrosis may result in pericardial constriction. Nevertheless, the pulsation of an adjacent coronary artery may prevent calcification formation in a focal area and consequently may result in pericardial diverticulum containing epicardial fat and coronary artery. The imaging findings encountered in patients with pericardial hydatid disease and Erdheim-Chester disease may mimic those of pericardial neoplasia. Pericardial adhesions and pedicled fat flaps may cause confusion on a CT scan in the post-surgical period following cardiac surgery. Pericardial fat necrosis can be diagnosed by CT in patients with chest pain. The radiologists should be familiar with the medical devices placed in pericardial space for certain individual indications. A pericardial patch and temporary epicardial pacemaker wires could be identified on a CT scan.

Abstract This paper empirically examines how wage growth in Turkey has been influenced by workdays lost to strikes, by inflation and by real GDP through the vector autoregression model for the annual period 1963–2015. According to empirical results, wage growth is largely affected by workdays lost to strikes and inflation. This analysis is tested by considering workdays lost to industrial action in order to understand the main dynamics behind wage growth, because this is a significant factor in the elimination of macroeconomic imbalances in the Turkish economy. As a conclusion, the mathematical base social contract, new wage-setting, and inflation policies are recommended to reduce macroeconomic problems in Turkey.

Intestinal obstructions constitute a significant proportion of all emergency department admissions for abdominal pain and may lead to significant mortality and morbidity rates when left untreated. Small and large bowel obstructions may possess different etiologies and different clinical manifestations; yet, computed tomography (CT) is the imaging method of choice for both. Images need to be meticulously interpreted; in that, CT findings may be critical in deciding about a surgical intervention. CT examinations should be conducted using an intravenous contrast material, and axial images and reformatted sagittal and coronal plane images should be evaluated simultaneously. Presence of the obstruction, location of the transition point, etiology, and possible secondary complications should be looked for.

Abstract The increasing inconsistency in the Turkish economy gave rise to transformations necessitated by the manner of its growth and technological changes. Between 1923 and 1962, the Turkish economy was based on agricultural growth strategies, which spurred development in the manufacturing sector and caused technological change. Between 1962 and 1985, the Turkish economy developed under import substitution industrialization, with regulations based on domestic consumption growth strategies. In the early 1980s, most of the developed countries, in parallel with which Turkey had development policies, implemented strong institutional changes via deregulation policies, but Turkey could not produce the necessary configurations in accord with open and export growth economies. The period between 1985 and 2003 was a long transformational period for Turkey vying to be a stable export growth country. This slow transformation was caused by path dependency and had been based on regulations that destabilized Turkey and deepened problems remaining from previous periods. Post-2003, the Turkish economy was able to develop more consistent export growth by forced institutional changes, but its macroeconomic factors still do not show institutional complementarity.

PURPOSE:We aimed to evaluate the CT findings of stercoral colitis (SC).METHODS:Forty-one patients diagnosed with SC between February 2006 and April 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.RESULTS:Rectosigmoid colon was the most frequently involved segment (100%, n=41). CT findings can be summarized as follows: dilatation >6 cm and wall thickening >3 mm of the affected colon segment (100%, n=41), pericolonic fat stranding (100%, n=41), mucosal discontinuity (14.6 %, n=6), presence of free air (14.6%, n=6), free fluid (9.7%, n=4), and pericolonic abscess (2.4%, n=1). The sign most related with mortality was the length of the affected colon segment >40 cm.CONCLUSION: CT has an important role in SC, since life-threatening complications can be easily revealed by this imaging modality. Increased length of involved colon segment (>40 cm) is more likely to be associated with mortality.

Presence of fat in a lesion significantly narrows the differential diagnosis. Small quantities of macroscopic fat and intracellular fat are invisible on computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reveal any fatty change in a lesion and can also differentiate macroscopic fat from intracellular and intravoxel fat. Hypodensity on CT may be a sign of invisible fat and MRI can help to diagnose even minute amounts of fat in liver, pancreas, adrenal, musculoskeletal, and omental pseudolesions and lesions. This article will review the superiority of MRI over CT in demonstrating fat in abdominal lesions.

Microvascular invasion is a crucial histopathologic prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. We reviewed the literature and aimed to draw attention to clinicopathologic and imaging findings that may predict the presence of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. Imaging findings suggesting microvascular invasion are disruption of capsule, irregular tumor margin, peritumoral enhancement, multifocal tumor, increased tumor size, and increased glucose metabolism on positron emission tomography-computed tomography. In the presence of typical findings, microvascular invasion may be predicted.

Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.PurposeTo compare surgical results of foramen magnum decompression with and without duraplasty in Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-1) associated syringomyelia (SM).Overview of LiteratureThe optimal surgical treatment of CM-1 associated with SM is unclear.MethodsTwenty-five cases of CM-1 with SM were included. There were 12 patients (48%) in the non-duraplasty group and 13 patients (52%) in the duraplasty group. The rate of improvement, state of postoperative SM size, amount of tonsillar herniation, preoperative symptom duration, complications and reoperation rates were analysed.ResultsThe rate of clinical improvement was significantly higher with duraplasty (84.6%) than without (33.3%, p

The best preserved Permian-Triassic boundary beds in Turkey are found in the Hadim region of the central Taurides. The succession is exposed in one of the allochthonous units of the Tauride Belt, the Aladag Unit, whose stratigraphy includes beds ranging from the Devonian to the Cretaceous systems. In the Aladag Unit, the Permian-Triassic boundary beds are entirely composed of carbonates. The Permian portion of these beds belongs to the Paradagmarita Zone, whereas the lowermost Triassic contains the Lower Griesbachian marker Rectocornuspira kalhori. The uppermost Permian carbonates, composed of meter-scale upward shallowing subtidal cycles, are characterized by oolitic limestones of regressive character at the top and are overlain sharply by Lower Triassic stromatolites. Cyclic Upper Permian carbonates are interpreted as highstand sytems tract deposits of the last third-order sequence of the Permian System. The Permian-Triassic boundary is an unconformity corresponding to both erosional and non-depositional hiatuses. The gap at the Permian-Triassic boundary partially corresponds to the shelf-margin systems tract and partly to the transgressive systems tract of the overlying third-order sequence. Stromatolites are interpreted as transgressive systems tract deposits. Special issue International Conference on Paleozoic Foraminifera, Paleoforams 2001 Edited by Demir Altiner (Guest Editor)