Abstract Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as an association between diabetes, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with several cardiovascular disorders, including coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure, ischemic stroke and increased mortality. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to estimate thromboembolic risk in AF. However, the association among MAC, MetS and thromboembolic risk is unknown and was evaluated in the current study. Methods: The study group consisted of 94 patients with MAC and 86 patients with MetS. Patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without MAC. Results: Patients with MAC had a higher MetS rate (P<0.001). In patients with MAC, the CHA2DS2-VASc scores and the rate of cerebrovascular accident and AF were significantly higher compared to those without MAC (P<0.001, for both parameters). The results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that history of smoking, presence of MetS and high CHA2DS2-VASc scores were associated with the development of MAC. ROC curve analyses showed that CHA2DS2-VASc scores were significant predictors for MAC (C-statistic: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.706-0.855, P<0.001). Correlation analysis indicated that MAC was positively correlated with the presence of MetS and CHA2DS2-VASc score (P=0.001, r=0.264; P<0.001, r=0.490). Conclusion: We have shown that CHA2DS2-VASc score and presence of MetS rates were significantly higher in patients with MAC compared without MAC. Presence of MAC was correlated with CHA2DS2-VASc score, presence of MetS, AF and left atrial diameter and negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category) score risk groups. Methods: A total of 158 consecutive patients (75 females, 83 males, mean age 70.8±6.3 years) admitted routinely for cardiologic control were divided into two groups according to their CHA2DS2-VASc scores (scores 0 and 1 were regarded as low risk, and score ≥2 as high risk). One hundred twenty-five of 158 patients had a high-risk score. Results: Mean EFT was significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group (4.34±0.62 vs. 5.37±1.0; P<0.001). EFT was positively correlated with CHA2DS2-VASc score (r=0.577, P<0.001). According to receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, EFT value of 4.4 mm was found to be predictive of high risk in CHA2DS2-VASc score with 80% of sensitivity and 79% of specificity (C-statistic = 0.875, P<0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76-0.90). And according to multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFT was an independent predictor of high thromboembolic risk in terms of CHA2DS2-VASc score. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that echocardiographic EFT measurement could provide additional information on assessing cardiovascular risks, such as thromboembolic events, and individuals with increased EFT should receive more attention to reduce unfavorable cardiovascular risk factors and the development of future cardiovascular events.

Resumo Fundamento: O papel da função do músculo papilar na regurgitação mitral grave com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo preservada e reduzida e o método de escolha para avaliar PM ainda são objetos de controvérsia. Objetivos: Avaliar e comparar a função dos músculos papilares entre pacientes com insuficiência mitral funcional e degenerativa pelo método free strain. Métodos: 64 pacientes com insuficiência mitral grave - 39 pacientes com insuficiência mitral degenerativa grave (grupo IMD) e 25 com insuficiência mitral funcional grave (grupo IMF) - e 30 indivíduos controle (grupo controle) foram incluídos no estudo. A função dos músculos papilares foi avaliada pelo método free strain a partir de imagens apicais quatro-câmaras do músculo papilar anterolateral (MPA) e imagens apicais três-câmaras do músculo papilar posteromedial (MPP). Strains circunferenciais e longitudinais globais do ventrículo esquerdo foram avaliados por meio de imagens bidimensionais a partir do rastreamento de conjunto de pontos de cinza (speckle tracking). Resultados: O strain longitudinal global do ventrículo esquerdo (grupo IMD, -17 [-14,2/-20]; grupo IMF, -9 [-7/-10,7]; grupo controle, -20 [-18/-21] p < 0,001); strain circunferencial global do ventrículo esquerdo (grupo IMD, -20 [-14,5/-22,7]; grupo IMF, -10 [-7/-12]; grupo controle, -23 [-21/-27,5] p < 0,001) e strains de músculos papilares (MPP; grupo IMD, -30,5 [-24/-46,7]; grupo IMF, -18 [-12/-30]; grupo controle; -43 [-34,5/-39,5] p < 0,001; MPA; grupo IMD, (-35 [-23,5/-43]; grupo IMF, -20 [-13,5/-26]; grupo controle, -40 [-32,5/-48] p < 0,001) mostraram-se significativamente diferentes nos grupos. MPA e MPP mostraram-se altamente correlacionados com a FEVE (p < 0,001, p < 0,00; respectivamente), SLG (p < 0,001, p < 0,001; respectivamente) e SCG (p < 0,001, p < 0,001; respectivamente) do VE entre todos os grupos. Não foi encontrada correlação entre os strains de músculos papilares e área eficaz do orifício (AEO) nos grupos de insuficiência mitral grave. Conclusões: A medição do strain longitudinal de músculos papilares pelo método free strain é prática e aplicável. A disfunção dos músculos papilares tem um papel pequeno em IM grave devido a causas degenerativas e funcionais, e a função dos músculos papilares, em general, parece seguir a função ventricular esquerda. O MPP é o MP mais afetado na insuficiência mitral em ambos os grupos, IMD e IMF.

Abstract Fundamento: The role of papillary muscle function in severe mitral regurgitation with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and the method of choice to evaluate PM have still been the subjects of controversy. Objectives: To evaluate and compare papillary muscle function in and between patients with severe degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation by using the free strain method. Methods: 64 patients with severe mitral regurgitation - 39 patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR group) and 25 patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR group) - and 30 control subjects (control group) were included in the study. Papillary muscle function was evaluated through the free strain method from apical four chamber images of the anterolateral papillary muscle (APM) and from apical three chamber images of the posteromedial papillary muscle (PPM). Global left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential strains were evaluated by applying 2D speckle tracking imaging. Results: Global left ventricular longitudinal strain (DMR group, -17 [-14.2/-20]; FMR group, -9 [-7/-10.7]; control group, -20 [-18/-21] p < 0.001), global left ventricular circumferential strain (DMR group, -20 [-14.5/-22.7]; FMR group, -10 [-7/-12]; control group, -23 [-21/-27.5] p < 0.001) and papillary musle strains (PPMS; DMR group, -30.5 [-24/-46.7]; FMR group, -18 [-12/-30]; control group; -43 [-34.5/-39.5] p < 0.001; APMS; DMR group, (-35 [-23.5/-43]; FMR group, -20 [-13.5/-26]; control group, -40 [-32.5/-48] p < 0.001) were significantly different among all groups. APMS and PPMS were highly correlated with LVEF (p < 0.001, p < 0.001; respectively), GLS (p < 0.001, p < 0.001; respectively) and GCS (p < 0.001, p < 0.00; respectively) of LV among all groups. No correlation was found between papillary muscle strains and effective orifice area (EOA) in both groups of severe mitral regurgitation. Conclusions: Measuring papillary muscle longitudinal strain by the free strain method is practical and applicable. Papillary muscle dysfunction plays a small role in severe MR due to degenerative or functional causes and papillary muscle functions in general seems to follow left ventricular function. PPM is the most affected PM in severe mitral regurgitation in both groups of DMR and FMR.

In this study, conducted to test the effect of spacing on wood quality; the effect of four different spacing types, applied in Adapazari Süleymaniye plantation (Region 1; 3x2 m; Region 2; 3x2,5 m; Region 3; 3,75x3,75 m; Region 4; 4x4 m), on some mechanical properties of narrow leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) have been studied. In the present study, some mechanical properties such as the compression strength parallel to grain, tensile stress perpendicular to grain, bending strength, impact bending strength and modulus of elasticity were determined. As a result, the ash wood, grown in region 4 with a wide range of planting, has high mechanical properties. However, when analyzed in terms of wood quality characteristics, it has been found that spacing in region 1 (2x3 m) is more suitable for applications of ash plantations.

The purpose of this study was to examine the plain anteroposterior radiographs of the hands in Turkish subjects in order to determine the prevalence of sesamoid bones and their distribution. A total of 923 hand radiographs from 459 men and 464 women with a mean age of 43.76±14.8 years (range, 18-85 years) were examined. Two sesamoid bones (ulnar and radial) were always present at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the thumb (100%). One sesamoid bone in the thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint was observed in 21.3% of the cases. The prevalence of sesamoid bone of the index and little MCP joint were 36.6% and 53.2% respectively. Sesamoid bones palmar to the MCP joints of the middle finger and ring finger were rare; the incidence for these locations being 1.3% (12 hands) and 0.9% (8 hands), respectively. There were no significant differences between left and right hand digits. The distribution of sesamoid bones in different locations between male and female subjects were statistically similar in 1st IP joint (p=0.530), 4th MCP (p=0.631), 5th MCP (p=0.067) joints. However, the sesamoid bones in 2nd MCP and 3rd MCP joints were statistically more frequent in female subjects (p=0.024 and p=0.018 respectively). The present study represents the first report on the prevalence and distribution of sesamoid bones in the hand in Turkish subjects. The prevalence of sesamoid bones in Turkish population is considerably different from the Africans and Europeans, but rather resembles Mediterranean and Arab populations.

El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar radiografías anteroposteriores de manos en sujetos turcos para determinar la prevalencia y distribución de los huesos sesamoideos. Fueron examinadas 923 radiografías de mano, 459 hombres y 464 mujeres, con edad media de 43,76 ± 14,8 años (rango, 18-85 años). Dos huesos sesamoideos (ulnar y radial) estuvieron siempre presentes en la articulación metacarpofalángica (MCF) del primer dedo de la mano (100%). Un solo hueso sesamoideo en la articulación interfalángica (IP) del primer dedo de la mano se observó en el 21,3% de los casos. La prevalencia del hueso sesamoideo, índice y articulación MCP fueron fue de 36,6% y 53,2% respectivamente. Los huesos sesamoideos palmares a las articulaciones metacarpofalángica del dedo medio y dedo anular eran poco frecuentes, su incidencia fue 1,3% (12 manos) y 0,9% (8 manos), respectivamente. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los dígitos izquierdos o derechos. La distribución de los huesos sesamoideos en diferentes lugares entre los sujetos de ambos sexos fueron estadísticamente similares entre las articulaciones primera interfalángica (p = 0,530), cuarta MCP (p = 0,631) y quinta MCP (p = 0,067). Sin embargo, los huesos sesamoideos en las articulaciones segunda MCP y tercera MCP fueron estadísticamente más frecuentes en el sexo femenino (p = 0,024 y p = 0,018, respectivamente). El presente estudio representa el primer informe sobre la prevalencia y distribución de los huesos sesamoideos en la mano en sujetos turcos. La prevalencia de los huesos sesamoideos en la población turca es considerablemente diferente de los africanos y los europeos, pero se asemeja a las poblaciones mediterráneas y árabes.