Ali Cimbiz

Prediction of Low Back Pain with Two Expert Systems

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the common problems encountered in medical applications. This paper proposes two expert systems (artificial neural network and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system) for the assessment of the LBP level objectively. The skin resistance and visual analog scale (VAS) values have been accepted as the input variables for the developed systems. The results showed that the expert systems behave very similar to real data and that use of the expert systems can be used to successfully diagnose the back pain intensity. The suggested systems were found to be advantageous approaches in addition to existing unbiased approaches. So far as the authors are aware, this is the first attempt of using the two expert systems achieving very good performance in a real application. In light of some of the limitations of this study, we also identify and discuss several areas that need continued investigation.

Determination of pain intensity risk factors among school children with nonspecific low back pain

Summary Background Low back pain (LBP) is a common disease among people under the age of 20. To the best of our knowledge few studies have been carried out on LBP among school children in Turkey, and none of them studied the correlation between pain intensity and related variables with LBP. Material/Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the risk factors and their correlations with pain intensity among 222 school children (106 girls and 116 boys) aged 10–18 years in the city of Denizli. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect the data. The regression tree method (RTM) was used to determine the risk factors by using the STATISTICA program package. Pain intensity was the outcome variable, and 8 independent variables (body mass index (BMI), sex, regular exercise habit, studying posture, transportation to/from school, duration of studying, bag handling, and type of bed) were used to detect their effect on pain intensity. Results The results showed that pain intensity is significantly affected by 4 independent variables: duration of studying, type of bed, transportation to/from school, and BMI. The overall mean and standard deviation of pain intensity was 2.58±0.86 (minimum=1, maximum=5). Conclusions Results from the literature, as well as our study, show that taking parents’ and teachers’ concerns seriously is of vital importance. Our results indicate that parents and teachers should be informed about duration of studying, type of bed, transportation and obesity as risk factors predicting NLBP in school children.

Effect of Lycopersicon esculentum extract on apoptosis in the rat cerebellum, following prenatal and postnatal exposure to an electromagnetic field

The expansion of mobile phone technology has raised concerns regarding the effect of 900-MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on the central nervous system. At present, the developing human brain is regularly exposed to mobile telephones, pre- and postnatally. Several studies have demonstrated the acute effects of EMF exposure during pre- or postnatal periods; however, the chronic effects of EMF exposure are less understood. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the chronic effects of EMF on the pre- and postnatal rat cerebellum. The control group was maintained in the same conditions as the experimental groups, without the exposure to EMF. In the EMF1 group, the rats were exposed to EMF during pre- and postnatal periods (until postnatal day 80). In the EMF2 group, the rats were also exposed to EMF pre- and postnatally; in addition, however, they were provided with a daily oral supplementation of Lycopersicon esculentum extract (∼2 g/kg). The number of caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells present in the rats in the control and experimental groups were then counted. The neurodegenerative changes were studied using cresyl violet staining, and these changes were evaluated. In comparison with the control animals, the EMF1 group demonstrated a significant increase in the number of caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells present in the cerebellum (P<0.001). However, in comparison with the EMF1 group, the EMF2 group exhibited significantly fewer caspase-3-labeled Purkinje neurons and granule cells in the cerebellum. In the EMF1 group, the Purkinje neurons were revealed to have undergone dark neuron degenerative changes. However, the presence of dark Purkinje neurons was reduced in the EMF2 group, compared with the EMF1 group. The results indicated that apoptosis and neurodegeneration in rats exposed to EMF during pre- and postnatal periods may be reduced with Lycopersicon esculentum extract therapy.

Relationship between skin resistance level and static balance in type II diabetic subjects

Diabetes mellitus is major cause leading to pathological changes in skin foot plantar area (SFPA) and affected the static standing balance duration (SSBD). Skin resistance level (SRL) is related to skin conductance which changes in the presence of sweat. This study aims to find out the relationship between the SRL and SSBD in type II diabetic patients. Sixty-eight voluntary students, 30 type II diabetic patients and 30 healthy non-diabetic subjects, were participated to the study. The SSBD was measured on dominant and non-dominant legs. SRLs were recorded with two surface electrodes over the metatarsus heads and heel. The SSBD of the healthy young group was found to be higher than the other groups (P<0.001). The SRL values of the non-dominant leg in the diabetic group was found to be lower than the others (P=0.014). For dominant and non-dominant legs within each group, only the healthy young group has statistically difference (P=0.012). A significant correlation was seen to be between the SRL and SSBD for only healthy non-diabetic group for the non-dominant leg. The relation between the SRL and SSBD is poor but very promising. Measurement of the SRL can be used in evaluating the inflammation of the diabetic foot.

Evaluation of balance and muscle strength in physical education students with recovered lower limb injuries

The main aim was to evaluate effects of lower limb injuries on balance and muscle strength in university physical education students. Sixty voluntary students of both sexes from the Dumlupinar University School of Physical Education, Kutahya, Turkey were divided into two groups: Thirty students had lower limb injuries and recovered without physical therapy program as Recovered Group (RG), mean age 21.7± 1.5 (19-26); and thirty students a non-injured control group (CG), mean age 20.7 ± 1.8 (18-29) years. RG were injured 56.7 % ankle, 43.3 % knee injuries and were recovered since 3.6 ± 1.7 (2.5-6) months. Both groups are training sports (basketball, volleyball, soccer and judo) twenty hours a week. The CG was selected in order to match the RG characteristics, such as: age, mass and sex. Standing on dominant and non-dominant leg, functional reach and manual muscle tests were used for assessment. Static and dynamic standing one leg test on non-injured leg, eyes open, and injured leg, eyes closed, were significantly lower in RG ( p 0.05). This study show that unreported lower limb injuries impairs propriception sense and balance which may increase risk of re-injury. Although after recovered injury muscle strength can gain in short time but balance is still decreased. In this situation players are opened for severe injuries. One leg standing balance a simple test that could be used clinically to monitor lower extremity injury, and also to identify athletes with decreased functional stability, who may be more at risk of sustaining injury.

Non specific low back pain in a Turkish population based sample of school children: a field survey with analysis of associated factors

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among school children and the consequences that this problem may have in relation to gender. This study was designed as a cross-sectional 22-question questionnaire-based on LBP completed by a 10- to 18-year-old Turkish sample. The subjects were 624 school children (335 boys and 289 girls) who were attending primary, secondary or high schools in Denizli, Turkey (mean age = 13.91 years, SD = 2.34). Each subject completed the questionnaire under supervision by an investigator during school time. Data were analysed comparing the two genders. Two hundred and ninety-two school children (46.7%) had LBP. Boys were 153 (52.4%) and girls 139 (47.6%). Both boys and girls with LBP reported that LBP did not interfere negatively with their school performance (67.5%) and with daily activities (87.5%). The risk factors should be investigated at early stages of the life. Therefore, a national LBP prevention program should be performed at c...