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Background: The morphology of the circle of Willis in adults has been thoroughly discussed in scientific literature. However, the morphology of the circle of Willis in pediatric patients is under-researched.Objectives: We aimed to establish reference data for the morphology and variations of the circle of Willis in a population consisting of all pediatric age subgroups and to evaluate the possible temporal evolution of the circle of Willis in pediatric patients along with the variations between pediatric and adult populations.Materials and Methods: Our patient cohort included 263 pediatric patients ages 1-215 months. A total of 273 magnetic resonance (MR) angiography images were retrospectively analyzed for all circle of Willis vessels to compare the incidence of complete cases and variation frequency based on gender and age group.Result: In our study of 273 MR angiograms from all age ranges in the pediatric population, we found a 56.1% circle of Willis completion rate. Overall completion rates were statistically significantly higher in the toddler and preschool age groups. The lowest completion rate was in the newborn-infant group (40%).Conclusion: Circle of Willis completion rates and variations in pediatric populations are similar to those in adult populations; completion rates rise in toddler and preschooler age groups and decline as children grow into the school-age and adolescent period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the ages, safely preserving and transmitting data that have extraordinary importance for humanity has increased its importance with rapid advances in computer technology. Steganography stores hidden data within the files, which are unnoticed by third parties, so it provides secure transmission of data to the receiver. In this study, a steganography-based GUI design has been carried out, which ensures that the agricultural data is safely stored and communicated to the other party. We used LSB one-bit, two-bit, three-bit substitution and PVD algorithms with GUI for stages of agricultural data hiding and extracting at cover images. We also provided extra security using the embedded key and shifting operations on the hidden data before hiding data the cover image. In short, we confused the hidden data in the cover image so that malicious people can't understand. In experimental studies, performance analysis was evaluated by comparing various criteria as similarity ratio (Structural Similarity Index Measure, SSIM), stego image quality (Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio, PSNR) and data hiding capacity (Payload). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goals of image steganography are to simultaneously reach maximum embedding capacity, enhanced embedding efficiency, better image quality, and more security. We present a two-step data hiding method that improves image quality, capacity, and embedding efficiency, and also provides stego security. In the first step of the proposed method, the hidden data are encrypted with the key words and shifting method to provide security. In the second stage, we propose adaptive least-significant-bit (LSB)+3 type I and adaptive LSB+3 type II methods to hide encrypted data in the cover image. The image quality of the stego image obtained from the proposed adaptive LSB+3 method is better than the traditional three-bit LSB methods. When maximum data are embedded in the cover image, a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) greater than 41 dB is reached. Experimental studies show that adaptive LSB+3 type I and adaptive LSB+3 type II methods are higher PSNR values (3.48% and 5.73%) than the standard three-bit LSB substitution methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new hybrid stereovision-based distance-estimation approach is proposed for indoor mobile robot platforms. To calculate the distances between the robot and object, triangulation method is used first. However, this technique is insufficient for objects located on the left or right side of the robot or the case of the stereo camera pair fixed to the robot with an angle down to the floor. Therefore, a new approach is proposed by adding a look-up table and curve-fitting methods to the triangulation technique. In this approach, the stereo camera pair is located on the robot with an angle down to the floor. In the experimental studies, an average accuracy rate of 97.69% is obtained. The Manhattan and Euclidean distances of objects that are not in the same line as the robot are also calculated. Average accuracy rates of 98.24% for Manhattan and 98.03% for Euclidean distances are achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the objects found in the environment are detected and classified in real time, the results obtained are presented. Hazelnut fruit is used in the experimental studies of the proposed method. The image belongs to hazelnut that is in a work environment is taken with the camera, it is processed by using image processing techniques. The size and area data of hazelnut on the image plane is calculated. By evaluating the obtained data, the hazelnut is divided into three classes as small (K1), medium (K2) and big (K3) in real time application. This process is performed using mean-based classification and K-means clustering methods. Detection and classification of cluster centers is provided by using the information database obtained from the data of hazelnut fruit. Hazelnut fruits found in the experimental environment are determined with 100% accuracy using image processing techniques. The classification of hazelnut fruits using the mean-based and K-means clustering methods has been compared. As a result of the comparison, it is observed that the two methods realized are similar ratio of 90% to 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While metastases of the lung, liver, adrenal glands, skeletal system and cranium can frequently be detected at the diagnosis stage of lung cancer, as the primary cause of cancer-related death around the world, orbital metastases are less frequently observed. Metastatic orbital masses account for 3--7% of all orbital tumors, while the most common tumors that metastasize to the orbit are those affecting the prostate, breast and lung. Despite advances in diagnostic methods over the years, orbital metastases are often overlooked, and diagnosis can be difficult. Radiological imaging methods are highly important for the evaluation of metastasis. Orbital metastases were identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in both patients in the present study, both of whom developed visual impairment after being diagnosed with primary lung cancer, and were not considered for diagnostic invasive interventions due to the primary disease. Underlying neoplastic diseases should be considered during differential diagnoses of visual disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the importance of information security has increased due to the growth in digital communication and steganography has come to the fore for secure communication. Steganography ensures that the secret data to be sent in a multimedia file such as text, picture or video embedded in a way that cannot be understood by third parties. Although image steganography has become popular recently, video steganography has also been widely used and preferred recently, due to its high data hiding capacity and robustness. This paper proposes a new data hiding algorithm in video steganography for effective frame selection, high embedding capacity and good visual quality. The proposed algorithm has two phases: frame selection and data hiding. In the first phase, the frame selection offers a rapid and impressive new method based on enhanced Vigenere. The most significant advantage of this algorithm is to achieve the same level of security without using complex operations such as chaotic systems used in existing methods. In the second phase, we have used adaptive LSB332 for data hiding, which embeds video files with high capacity, high PSNR and SSIM. When the experimental results evaluated, it was observed that the proposed method is over 65 dB PSNR value and 0.99 SSIM value at 20 kbits data capacity. It was also achieved approximately 55 dB and 50 dB PSNR value at 200 kbits and 500 kbits data capacities, respectively, where is no appreciable loss in the SSIM value. Compared to LSB332 based methods, the capacity increased by approximately 12% at same visual qualities. Furthermore, the visual quality of the proposed method is much better than other video data hiding methods, while the capacity increases by 19%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A web-based virtual and remote laboratory environment is developed, realized and proposed for real time control and monitoring of a mobile robot in an indoor environment. In this laboratory, a real time and continuous video stream of indoor laboratory environment is viewed by wireless IP camera mounted to the ceiling. The localization of the robot is also implemented using this IP camera. In this environment, a virtual target and virtual obstacles are located anywhere on the video image taken by the user. The robot is guaranteed to arrive at the virtual target avoiding virtual obstacles using the shortest path. The video stream of the robot's navigation is monitored through the web environment. The robot is controlled by a BeagleBoard-xM single board computer. The PC web server symmetrically communicates with the other web server on the BeagleBoard-xM, executing developed application software. Since genetic algorithms generate alternative solutions, it is utilized as a path planning algorithm. Parameters such as population size and maximum generation of genetic algorithms applied to get the shortest path for the robot are tuned via the web-based virtual laboratory environment. The robot is also controlled manually through the web environment. At the conclusion of the experiments, the results are monitored on the web-based virtual laboratory environment. A low-cost mobile robot virtual remote laboratory is designed and implemented for engineering education in this paper. Consequently, survey and some experimental works, of the usability and performance of the RRC-Lab (remote robot control-laboratory) system are confirmed by students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective : Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a condition characterized by bleeding in the subarachnoid space, often resulting from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. Delayed cerebral ischemia caused by vasospasm is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in SAH patients, and inflammatory markers such as systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic inflammatory index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and derived NLR (dNLR) have shown potential in predicting clinical vasospasm and outcomes in SAH patients. This article aims to investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmatic SAH (aSAH) and evaluate the predictive value of various indices, including SIRI, SII, NLR, and dNLR, in predicting clinical vasospasm. Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of a total of 139 patients admitted Trakya University Hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of aSAH between January 2013 and December 2021. Diagnostic procedures, neurological examinations, and laboratory tests were performed to assess the patients' condition. The Student's t-test compared age variables, while the chi-square test compared categorical variables between the non-vasospasm (NVS) and vasospasm (VS) groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory parameters, calculating the area under the ROC curve, cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : The study included 96 patients divided into two groups : NVS and VS. Various laboratory parameters, such as NLR, SII, and dNLR, were measured daily for 15 days, and statistically significant differences were found in NLR on 7 days, with specific cut-off values identified for each day. SII showed a significant difference on day 9, while dNLR had significant differences on days 2, 4, and 9. Graphs depicting the values of these markers for each day are provided. Conclusion : Neuroinflammatory biomarkers, when used alongside radiology and scoring scales, can aid in predicting prognosis, determining severity and treatment decisions for aSAH, and further studies with larger patient groups are needed to gain more insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Buccal mucosa metastasis is rare in breast cancer patients. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old female breast cancer patient with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) in his eight years follow-up period presented with a swelling in the right eye. Head and neck MRI was showed soft tissue formation with dimensions of 59x31 mm was detected in the axial plane, extending from the level of the right infratemporal fossa to the right buccinator muscle and right maxillary sinus in front of the alveolar process. In the right periorbital region, there was a thickness increase of up to 1 cm in the thickest part of the globe, which was evident in the anterolateral. In addition, there was no bone destruction in the right infratemporal region in maxillofacial CT, and no additional organ metastasis was detected in PET-CT performed for systemic scanning. In the histopathological examination of the tissue, carcinoma infiltration was detected. Radiotherapy was applied to the right buccal and orbital region of the patient as 30 Gy in 12 fractions (2.5 Gy per fraction) with volumetric modulated arc therapy technique and then 15 Gy in 6 fractions (2.5 Gy per fraction) boost radiotherapy with the adaptive technique were applied. At the follow-up 2 months later, clinical response was observed in the patient, and significant regression of the lesion was observed in facial and orbital MRI. At the 15th month follow-up of the patient, clinical and radiological remission continues. All clinical complaints regressed. Conclusion: ILC is a subtype of breast cancer that is characterized by unusual metastasis. Therefore, during the follow-up of these patients, it is necessary to monitor both laboratory values and clinical complaints very carefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The management of congenital peripheral vascular malformations (VMs) can present a difficult therapeutic challenge. Endovascular transcatheter embolization of peripheral VMs is widely accepted as a first therapeutic option for many VMs. However, data describing the use of Onyx are limited in children with peripheral VMs. Our aim is to retrospectively evaluate the results of transcatheter arterial embolization with Onyx for peripheral VMs in children. Materials and methods: We analyzed clinical and imaging records of 16 patients who underwent 25 embolization procedures by using Onyx for peripheral VMs. In eight cases, embolization procedures were performed once; in seven cases, twice; and in one case, thrice. Results: Embolization was technically complete in 4 patients and incomplete in 12 patients. Clinically, complete success was achieved in nine patients, and partial success was achieved in six patients. In one patient, reflux to the anterior and posterior tibial arteries caused peripheral ischemia, and the patient was referred to undergo plastic surgery. There were no complications in the other 15 patients. Conclusion: With future studies to better characterize the safety profile of this agent in peripheral vasculature, embolization with Onyx may become a valuable treatment option for peripheral VMs in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report the efficacy of percutaneous puncture and sclerosis using polidocanol in the treatment of venous malformations (VMs) in pediatric patients.Patients/methods: Between March 2007 and February 2011, a series of 19 patients with VMs on the upper and lower extremities had undergone a total of 89 sessions of intralesional sclerotherapy using polidocanol. All the procedures were performed in an angiographic suite under general anesthesia in order to maintain sedation for facilitating the procedure. For each injection, approximately 1 ml of 2% polidocanol was injected for each centimeter of the diameter of the lesion, with a maximum of 6 ml. Injection of the sclerosant was guided by real-time sonography and fluoroscopy.Results: After the treatment, the symptoms completely resolved in four patients (21%). Clinical symptoms, such as bulging and pain were improved in 12 out of 19 patients (63%). They remained unchanged in three patients (16%). During the procedures, no major complications were encountered. The minor complications (65%) encountered were swelling and pain after treatment which were resolved by taking NSAID within a few days.Conclusion: In pediatric patients, sonographically guided percutaneous puncture and fluoroscopically guided sclerosis using 2% polidocanol is effective, less invasive and safe for the treatment of VMs, with a high success rate and minimal complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Usually high-flow priapism is caused by perineal or penile blunt trauma with direct cavernosal artery injury and formation of an arterial-lacunar fistula. Rarely, cavernosal artery injury may result from penetrating trauma. Treatment of high-flow priapism is not considered an emergency because patients are at low risk for permanent complications. For this type of priapism there are several options for treatment including embolization or surgical ligation. Objective: To describe the technique of superselective transcatheter embolization with the use of autologous blood clot and to discuss the long-term results. Materials and methods: Seven children with a mean age of 10 years suffering from high-flow priapism were treated with superselective transcatheter embolization with autologous blood clot. In all cases, colour Doppler US was performed to demonstrate increased cavernous blood flow with definitive diagnosis established by superselective arteriography. After the angiographic diagnosis, superselective transcatheter embolization of the fistula with autologous blood clot was performed during the same session. The children were followed up on a monthly basis up to 1 year with clinical findings and penile colour Doppler US examinations. After 1 year, they were followed up annually with clinical assessment only. The mean follow-up period was 6.0 years. Results: Following embolization complete detumescence was achieved in all but one child, who was treated with a second embolization 3 d after the initial session. In addition, for one child a second session of embolization was performed due to the recurrence of partial erection during the 1 week period after the initital embolization. In both cases, complete detumescence was achieved after the second embolization, and no recurrence of priapism was observed in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Selective arterial embolization with autologous clot achieved treatment for high-flow priapism in this study with 100% occlusion rate with a maximum of two sessions and no signs of erectile dysfunction were observed in any of the children during long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Minor salivary gland biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Superb microvascular imaging, power Doppler ultrasound, and color Doppler of the salivary glands represent non-invasive, non-irradiating modality for evaluating the vascularity of the salivary glands in the diagnosis and follow-up of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of superb microvascular imaging and vascularity index in salivary glands for the sonographic diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Study Design: Prospective case-control study. Methods: Twenty participants with primary Sjögren's syndrome and 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. Both parotid glands and submandibular glands were evaluated by superb microvascular imaging, power Doppler ultrasound, and color Doppler. The diagnostic accuracy of superb microvascular imaging was compared using these techniques. Results: In the patient group, the vascularity index values of superb microvascular imaging in parotid glands and submandibular glands were 3.5±1.66, 5.06±1.94, respectively. While the same values were 1.0±0.98 and 2.44±1.34 in the control group (p≤0.001). In the patient group, the vascularity index values of power Doppler ultrasound in parotid glands and submandibular glands were 1.3±1.20 and 2.59±1.82, respectively. While the same values were 0.3±0.32 and 0.85±0.68 in the control group (p≤0.001). The superb microvascular imaging vascularity index cut-off value for the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome in parotid glands that maximizes the accuracy was 1.85 (area under the curve: 0.906; 95% confidence interval: 0.844, 0.968), and its sensitivity and specificity were 87.5% and 72.5%, respectively. While the superb microvascular imaging vascularity index cut-off value for the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome in submandibular gland that maximizes the accuracy was 3.35 (area under the curve: 0.873; 95% confidence interval: 0.800, 0.946), its sensitivity and specificity were 82.5% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion: Superb microvascular imaging with high reproducibility of the vascularity index has a higher sensitivity and specificity than the power Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome. It can be a noninvasive technique in the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome when used with clinical, laboratory and other imaging methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]