Dynamics of vaccine skepticism among Turkish youth

To receive a vaccine shot, or not to receive a vaccine shot, has become a life or death decision of sorts, and the range of alternatives contending for public attention, if not trust, pose a puzzle for individual processes of practical reasoning and argumentation. This is especially true for young people. With the goal of examining how vaccine hesitancy is articulated and dealt with in personal narratives, we conducted in-depth oral interviews (önüne) with twenty-seven fırst-year university students- enrolled in more than fıftccn universities spanning most of Turkey in 2021. Wc quickly observed that individuals' decision-making processes are directly affected by the historical strength of the public media narratives circulating among youth. Practical decisions are made depending on the argumentative plausibility of these narratives, bringing to mind Michael Bamberg’s (1997, 2020) positioning theory that suggests a three-tired analysis: story content (story), storytelling interaction (discourse), and social norms. In the Turkish context, the sharp divides and fissures on the level of social norms explain the dynamics of youth vaccine skepticism. Our paper outlines the variants of such skepticism in the midst of Covid-19 and related uncertainties

YERALTI MADEN İŞLETMELERİNDEKİ MESLEK GRUPLARININ GÜRÜLTÜ MARUZİYETİNİN BELİRLENMESİ

Madencilik dünyanın ve ülkemizin önemli iş kollarından birisidir. Madencilik faaliyetleri esnasında çeşitli fiziksel risk etmenleri ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bu fiziksel risk etmenlerinin başında da gürültü gelmektedir. Teknolojinin gelişimine bağlı olarak günümüzde yeraltı madenciliğinde mekanizasyona geçiş süreçleri hızlanmış ve bu durum da çalışan personelin yüksek gürültü düzeyleri ile karşı karşıya kalmasına neden olmuştur. Gürültü insan üzerinde fizyolojik ve psikolojik birçok etki oluşturmaktadır. Bunların başında da bir meslek hastalığı olan işitme kayıpları gelmektedir. Bu çalışmada, yeraltı kömür madenciliğinde farklı meslek gruplarının iş tanımları yapılmış ve bu meslek gruplarında çalışan personelin maruz kaldığı gürültü düzeyleri belirlenmiştir. Yapılan gürültü ölçümleri gürültü yönetmeliği kapsamında değerlendirilerek gürültüye karşı alınabilecek önlem ve tedbirler açıklanmıştı

A Patient with Severe Cervicofacial Subcutaneous Emphysema Associated with Munchausen’s Syndrome: A Case Report

Subcutaneous cervicofacial emphysema is a rare and life-threatening condition that results from various causes. In this report, we documented a case of a patient with severe subcutaneous cervicofacial emphysema a condition that falls under the umbrella of Munchausen’s syndrome and discussed the workup of this patient. Thorough diagnostic investigations seeking the etiology of the condition proved unsuccessful. When faced with cases of recurring subcutaneous cervicofacial emphysema, where the root cause remains ambiguous a diagnosis of Munchausen’s Syndrome should be considered

Pediatric tracheotomy: 5-years of experiences at a tertiary care center

Objective: To describe specific indications and complications of pediatric tracheostomies performed in our tertiary care children’s hospital between 2015 and 2020. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study analyzing charts of pediatric tracheostomies utilizing the maturation suture technique was conducted. The review included patient data covering a 5-year period, commencing on the 1st of January 2015 through the 31st of May 2020. Results: Fifty-five patients (33 females, 22 male) were included in the study. A tracheostomy was performed to address complications arising from prolonged ventilation in 48 children (87%) or upper airway obstruction in 7 children (13%). There was one intraoperative complication that resulted in death. There was one early postoperative complication (2%) (one child suffered accidental decannulation and the cannula was replaced without further incident). There were 7 late postoperative complications all featuring peristomal granulation tissue (13%). There were 16 deaths; however, only one resulted from the tracheostomy as outlined above. Eight patients (15%) were successfully decannulated. In 6 cases, the tracheostomy was spontaneously closed. Repair of tracheoesophageal fistula was required in two patients. Conclusion: Currently, the tracheostomy is the preferred course of treatment. Though it can potentially lead to severe complications in children, instances of this occurring are rare. Therefore, a tracheostomy should be performed by a multidisciplinary team following predetermined rules in a specialized center

The Effect of Nasal Functions on the Integrity of Grafts after Myringoplasty

Objective:We aimed to evaluate the effects of nasal functions for the integrity of grafts after myringoplasty.Methods:In our study 78 patients who underwent myringoplasty operation between 2011-2013 were included. Group I was defined as the group with an intact tympanic membrane following surgery. Group II was defined as the group with a tympanic membrane perforation following surgery. Group I consisted of 44 and Group II consisted of 34 patients. Subjective and objective measurements of nasal functions, Eustachian tube function (ETF), and allergic status were performed using nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale, visual analog scale (VAS), and the score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaires and acoustic rhinometry and saccharin test. It was investigated whether there was any difference between these two groups in terms of these parameters.Results:There was statistically no significant difference between groups according to the age, sex and the presence of tubal dysfunction and allergic rhinitis (p>0.05). In the group of intact tympanic membranes, the likelihood of right ear being the operated one was significantly higher compared to the group of myringoplasty failures (p=0.037). The VAS and NOSE scales did not show any significant difference between groups in terms of successful outcome of myringoplasty (p>0.05). The nasal congestion index (NCI) and the mucociliary clearance (MCC) did not show any significant difference between groups in terms of successful outcome of myringoplasty (p>0.05).Conclusion:This study has shown that nasal functions measured by objective and subjective methods had no effects on the success of myringoplasty

Cyclooxygenase-2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression and Their Correlation with Angiogenesis in Gastric Carcinomas

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, mide karsinomları ile bunların lenf nodu metastazlarında siklooksijenaz-2 (COX-2) ve vasküler endotelyal büyüme (growth) faktörü (VEGF) immün reaktivitelerini belirlemek, bunların anjiyogenezle ve histopatolojik prognostik parametrelerle olan ilişkisini araştırmaktır.Gereç ve Yöntemler: Otuz üç gastrik karsinom olgusunda immünhistokimyasal yöntemlerle COX-2, VEGF ekspresyonu ve CD34 ile belirlenen mikrodamar dansitesi (MVD) derecesi incelendi.Bulgular: COX-2 ile normal mukoza %96,9, karsinom grubu %87,8 oranında pozitif boyandı. Tümördeki COX-2 boyanma derecesi ile mukozadaki COX-2 boyanma derecesi arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark izlenmedi. Damar invazyonu pozitif olguların COX-2 ile lenf nodu boyanma derecesi anlamlı olarak daha yüksek idi (p<0,01). VEGF ile normal mukoza %100, karsinom grubu %93,9 oranında pozitif boyandı. Normal mukoza karsinom grubuna kıyasla VEGF ile anlamlı olarak daha yüksek oranda pozitiflik gösterdi (p=0,05). MVD derecesi tümöre kıyasla mukozada daha fazla idi (p<0,01). Kötü diferansiye karsinomlar, iyi ve orta derecede diferansiye karsinomlara göre anlamlı olarak daha yüksek MVD derecesine sahipti (p<0,05). Tümörde ve metastatik lenf nodlarında COX-2 ve VEGF ekspresyonu ile MVD derecesi arasında herhangi bir ilişki tespit edilmedi. COX-2, VEGF ve MVD derecesinin klinikopatolojik parametrelerle ilişkisi istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmadı.Sonuç: Bu bulgulara göre gastrik karsinomlarda MVD derecesi artarken, tümör diferansiasyonu azalıyor olabilir, fakat COX-2 ve VEGF'nin gastrik karsinom gelişimindeki rolü henüz tam olarak anlaşılamamıştır. COX-2, VEGF ve MVD derecesinin gastrik karsinogenezis sürecindeki yerini tam olarak açığa kavuşturabilmek için daha geniş serilerle ileri çalışmalara gereksinim vardır.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in gastric carcinomas and lymph node metastasis and their relationship with angiogenesis and prognostic histopathological parameters.Materials and Methods: COX-2 and VEGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) grade identified by antibodies against CD34 were investigated immunohistochemically in 33 patients with gastric carcinoma. Results: The expression of COX-2 was 96.9% in normal mucosa and 87.8% in gastric carcinoma. Although COX-2 expression in mucosa was higher than in carcinoma, the difference was not statistically significant. The COX-2 positivity rates in lymph nodes were significantly higher in patients with vascular invasion (p&lt;0.01). The expression of VEGF was 100% in normal mucosa and 93.9% in gastric carcinoma. VEGF levels in mucosa were significantly higher than in carcinoma (p=0.05). MVD grade in mucosa was significantly higher than in gastric carcinoma (p&lt;0.01). MVD values were significantly higher in poorly differentiated carcinomas than in well and moderately differentiated carcinomas (p&lt;0.05). There was no association between COX-2 and VEGF expression and MVD grade in tumor tissues and metastatic lymph nodes. There was no correlation of clinicopathological parameters with COX-2 and VEGF expression and MVD grade.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the MVD in gastric carcinoma may correlate with tumor grade, but the precise roles of COX-2 and VEGF in gastric cancers are not yet fully understood. Further studies with large series are needed to clarify the importance of COX-2, VEGF and MVD in cancer progression

Investigation of Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Cyclospora cayetanensis in Samples Collected from Different Spring Waters Iğdır, Türkiye

Objective:In this study, it was aimed to investigate the physical and chemical properties of different spring waters and parasitic factors with different methods.Methods:This study was carried out on 69 water samples collected from different spring waters in and around Iğdır Province in April and June 2021. The samples were analyzed by native-Lugol, modified acid-fast staining, and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). In addition, altitude (meter) and pressure (mmHg) measurements were made at the point where the water samples were taken.Results:One or more parasites were detected in 27.5% of the 69 water samples examined. Only C. cayetanensis was found in 13% of the samples, only Cryptosporidium spp. in 10.1%, only Giardia spp. in 1.4%, only C. cayetanensis and Giardia spp. in 1.4%, only C. cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia spp. in 1.4%. Only Giardia spp. cyst (4.3%) was detected by the direct examination method. While C. cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 8.7% and 7.2% of the samples by the modified acid-fast staining method, C. cayetanensis was detected in 15.9% and Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 11.6% of the samples by nPCR. When the C. cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. positivity rates were compared according to the characteristics of the water, there was no statistical difference between the altitude, salinity, pH, mmHg, and temperature (kelvin) values, but a significant correlation was found between the amount of dissolved oxygen and Cryptosporidium spp. positivity (p=0.047).Conclusion:Cryptosporidium spp., C. cayetanensis, and G. intestinalis are important waterborne pathogens that can cause epidemics. It is our belief that in order to reduce the risk of contamination of these parasitic factors with spring waters, public awareness should be raised, infrastructures should be improved, and new water treatment techniques, such as ultraviolet, ozonation and monitoring systems, should be used

Comparison of Efficacy and Complications of Holmium Laser and Pneumatic Lithotripters Used in the Ureterorenoscopic Treatment of Proximal Ureter Stones, a Multi-Center Study of Society of Urological Surgery Aegean Study Group

Objective:The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and complications of holmium laser and pneumatic lithotripsy used in the ureterorenoscopic treatment of proximal ureteral stones.Materials and Methods:Data of 638 patients, who underwent ureterorenoscopy (URS) due to proximal ureteral stones in different centers, were obtained from patient files. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of lithotripter used: group 1; laser lithotripter (n=324; 50.8%) and group 2; pneumatic lithotripter (n=314; 49.2%). URS was considered successful upon determination stone-free status with the imaging methods after treatment. The effectiveness and the complications of holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and pneumatic lithotripsy were compared.Results:The total success rate of URS was 82.6% and the complication rate was 8.1%. The mean age of patients was similar between the groups; however, the body mass index values, stone surface area and stone Hounsfield unit were significantly higher in group 1. Although the mean operative time, complication rate and the mean length of hospital stay were similar between the groups; the URS success and postoperative ureteral J stent use rates were significantly higher in group 1 and the push-back rate was significantly higher in group 2.Conclusion:If laser lithotripsy is available in a clinic, we believe that it is better to use it as the first option in the treatment of proximal ureter stones. However, considering that it is not easy to access laser lithotripters due to their high cost in Turkey, pneumatic lithotripters may be an effective and inexpensive alternative that can also be safely used in these cases

Effect of the Anesthetic Method on the Outcomes of Ureteroscopy for Proximal Ureteral Stones: A Multi-center Study of the Society of Urological Surgery Aegean Study Group

Objective:To analyze the effect of the anesthesia method (spinal and general) on the outcome of ureteroscopy (URS) in patients treated for proximal ureteral stones.Materials and Methods:Patients, who underwent URS for proximal ureteral stones at various urology clinics in Turkiye, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the anesthesia method performed; the procedure was performed under spinal anesthesia (SA) in group 1 and general anesthesia (GA) in group 2. Patients’ demographic, perioperative data and complication rates were compared between the two groups in a retrospective manner.Results:There were 309 and 329 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean stone area and Hounsfield unit in GA group were higher (p0.05). The rate of success of URS, which is accepted as complete stone-free status, was higher in the SA group (p=0.041).Conclusion:URS, which is used in the treatment of proximal ureteral stones, has a high success rate, independent of the anesthesia method used. It is important to keep in mind the patient’s comorbidities prior to selecting the anesthesia method and that the stone area and the Hounsfield unit are the important factors affecting the outcomes