Litter decomposition in burned corsican pine stands in Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the effects of forest fire on litter decomposition in Corsican pine (P. nigra) stands. The study is located in Vezirkopru Forest area in Samsun, Turkey. We made measurements of litter decomposition in 80 to 100 years old stands subjected to prescribed burning. Measurements were made between November, 2013 and October, 2014. 20x20 cm litter bags were placed on soil surface and collected in July and October. Sampling time had significant effect on litter decomposition (P 0.05)

A novel technique in the treatment of retroperitoneal lymphatic leakage: direct percutaneous embolization through the leakage pouch

Lymphangiography and percutaneous embolization of injured lymphatics are minimally invasive and effective techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic and retroperitoneal lymphatic leaks. We present a 58-year-old man who had abdominal chylous collection developed after multiple abdominal surgeries. Retroperitoneal lymphatic duct leakage was detected by ultrasound-guided intranodal lymphangiography and treated successfully using computed tomography (CT)-guided transabdominal embolization with percutaneous N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue and percutaneous NBCA glue and coil embolization by directly catheterizing the leaking lymphatic channel through the chylous collection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a lymphatic leakage case treated by percutaneous direct catheterization and embolization of leaking lymphatic channels through the chylous fluid collection

Evaluation of Artvin-Murgul black locust plantations in terms of biomass production, carbon storage, soil quality improvement and erosion control compared to adjacent grassland areas

Black locust plantations in Artvin-Murgul (established in 1996) were investigated for the purposes of: 1) wood production, 2) above- and belowground biomass, 3) carbon storage, 4) soil quality improvement, 5) erosion control and economic value. For these purposes, soil samples were taken from black locust plantation sites and adjacent grassland (control) sites, and soil respiration, soil infiltration, surface runoff, sediment removal, water holding capacity, soil organic matter, texture, pH, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg contents were determined in both areas. Sample trees were cut to determine aboveground biomass and carbon storage. Root samples were taken to determine root biomass and root carbon storage. Surface runoff and erosion were five-fold lower in black locust stands compared to controls (grasslands). Soil quality improvements in black locust areas were not significantly higher than in grasslands. Grasslands had higher soil respiration rates compared to black locust areas. Soil organic matter did not differ significantly between grasslands and black locust areas. Above- and belowground carbon storage were higher in black locust areas than in grassland

Evaluation of the effectiveness of electromyographic biofeedback training in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback to an exercise pro- gram on pain, function, and electrical activity in the isometric contraction of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: The study included 30 patients with PFPS. The biofeedback group received physiotherapy and an EMG biofeedback- guided exercise program, and the control group received only physiotherapy with a home exercise program. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and PFPS Severity Scale (PSS) were used to evaluate pain severity. The Kujala Patellofemoral Scale (KPS) and the Func- tional Index Questionnaire (FIQ) were used to evaluate the effect of knee pain on daily living activities and lower extremity function. Results: Compared to baseline, the VAS-current and severe pain, PSS, KPS, and FIQ scores and the mean and maximum iso- metric contraction values of the VMO and VL muscles were significantly improved in both groups. However, the maximum VMO and VL isometric contraction differential values were significantly increased only in the biofeedback group. Discussion and Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the EMG biofeedback adjunct to a physiotherapy program for PFPS produces additional benefits for pain relief, improvement of daily life activities, and increasing muscle strength

Assessment of Autopsy Findings in Synthetic Cannabinoid Intoxication Cases

Aim:Synthetic cannabinoids are new generation psychoactive substances synthesized in laboratories and act on cannabinoid receptors. They are more potent and have prolonged effects than natural cannabinoids. The aim of this study was to assess demographic and autopsy findings of synthetic cannabinoid (SC) intoxication cases.Materials and Methods:A total of 6165 autopsy cases performed between 2012 and 2015 at Turkish Council of Forensic Medicine, Ankara Group Administration were examined, and the SC intoxication deaths cases were assessed together with demographic characteristics, SC species detected in blood and tissues, macroscopic autopsy findings and histopathological examination.Results:Six different synthetic cannabinoid species; JWH-0122, JWH-018, JWH-073, CP47,497 C8 HOMOLOG, AB-CHMINACA and AM 2201 were determined in blood and tissue samples of 21 deaths cases. SC was detected by enzymatic method in one patient during hospital treatment, but there were no drug was found in postmortem samples after 11 days of treatment. Atheroma plaques in coronary arteries were detected in heart tissue of 16 cases as macroscopic findings; microscopic findings were ischemia in 4 cases, congestion in 7 cases and fibrosis in 6 cases were detected. Macroscopically, there were bloody foamy fluids in 15 cases, alveolar edema in 9 cases, emphysematous changes in 8 cases and alveolar macrophage infiltration in 7 cases.Conclusion:In recent years, SC intoxication deaths increase is remarkable. Due to no scientific correlation between SC concentrations in blood and intoxication doses, autopsy findings and history are supportive to determine the cause of death in addition to laboratory results

Phenolic compounds of natural knotweed (Polygonum cognatum Meissn.) populations from Turkey

The phenolic compositions of two different Polygonum cognatum samples collected from the Cumra and Manisa regions of Turkey were investigated for the first time. Both tested samples were rich in different phenolic compounds, mostly rutin, isorhamnetin, and catechin. The rutin content of Cumra’s sample was relatively higher than that of Manisa’s sample. P. cognatum has potential regarding rutin content as a functional dietary food or may be used as an ingredient to enrich functional foods. Our study will contribute to the previous works performed by different researchers on P. cognatum, commonly consumed in Turkey, to reveal its beneficial properties

Ruh Sağlığı Çalışanlarının Terapötik Sürece İlişkin Deneyimlerinin Nitel Analiz Yoluyla İncelenmesi

The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of mental health professionals in the therapeutic process by considering demographic variables and educational processes. For this purpose, a semi-structured interview form including preliminary interview, rapport building, problem identification, goal setting, and intervention and termination steps of the therapeutic process was prepared in order to explore how mental health professionals conduct the therapeutic process. Run as a qualitative study, the phenomenologic research design was used.  The study group of the study was determined using criterion sampling technique which is one of the purposive sampling methods and consists of sixteen professionals (6 men, 10 women) providing professional mental health services. The study group consist of individuals working in governmental and private institutions, providing mental health services, having at least a master's degree in the field of mental health branches, or having received training in a therapy approach under supervision. Interview technique was used to collect data. In the analysis of data, frequency and sentence based content analysis techniques were used. As a result of the research, various themes experienced in each psychological counseling step were reached. These themes were named as client discovery, counseling process discovery, forming emotional bonds, using therapeutic skills, using therapeutic conditions, role of the counselor, counselor concern and client concern. In addition to these themes, themes, which are named as impaired autonomy, impaired boundaries, disobeying rules and perceptions of the counseling process, related to the differences and expectations in the therapeutic process specific to Turkish culture were explained.Bu çalışmanın amacı, ruh sağlığı çalışanlarının, terapötik sürece ilişkin deneyimlerinin, demografik değişkenler ve eğitim süreçleri dikkate alınarak keşfedilmesidir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda çeşitli ruh sağlığı çalışanların terapötik süreci nasıl yürüttüklerini keşfetmek üzere psikolojik danışmanın ön görüşme, ilişki kurma, problem tanımlama, amaç belirleme, müdahale ve sonlandırma basamaklarını içeren yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu hazırlanmıştır. Nitel araştırma olarak yürütülen bu çalışmada fenomenolojik desen kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubu amaçlı örnekleme yöntemlerinden ölçüt örnekleme tekniği kullanılarak belirlenmiştir ve profesyonel olarak ruh sağlığı hizmeti veren on altı (6 erkek, 10 kadın) profesyonelden oluşmaktadır. Katılımcılar, devlet kurumları ve özel kurumlarda çalışan, psikolojik yardım hizmeti veren, ruh sağlığı alanında en az yüksek lisans mezunu olan veya süpervizyon ile birlikte bir terapi yaklaşımına ait eğitim almış bireylerden oluşmaktadır. Verilerin toplanmasında görüşme tekniği kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde frekans ve cümle bazında içerik analizi tekniklerinden faydalanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, her bir psikolojik danışma basamağında deneyimlenen çeşitli temalara ulaşılmıştır. Bu temalar, danışanı keşif, danışma sürecini keşif, duygusal bağ kurma, terapötik becerileri kullanma, terapötik koşulları kullanma, danışman rolleri, danışman kaygısı ve danışan kaygısı olarak isimlendirilmiştir. Bu temalara ek olarak, Türk kültürüne özgü terapötik süreç ile ilgili farklılıklara ve beklentilere ilişkin temalar olarak belirlenen yetersiz otonomi, zedelenmiş sınırlar, kural dışılık ve danışma sürecine ilişkin algılar temaları da açıklanmıştır

Coil embolization in 481 ruptured intracranial aneurysms: angiographic and clinical results

PURPOSEWe aimed to report our 13-year experience with the embolization of ruptured cerebral aneurysms using detachable coils and postembolization angiographic and clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODSBetween June 1998 and September 2011, 481 patients with ruptured aneurysms were referred for endovascular treatment with detachable coils at our center. The technical feasibility, procedural complications, morbidity, mortality, and initial angiographic and clinical results were evaluated. RESULTSEndovascular treatment was successful in 95.6% of the patients. Postembolization angiography showed complete occlusion in 63.4%, a neck remnant in 30.8%, and incomplete occlusion in 5.8% of the aneurysms. A total of 331 patients were followed up. The overall angiographic results showed stable occlusion in 234 aneurysms (70.7%) and recurrence in 97 aneurysms (29.3%). During the follow-up period, stable angiographic occlusion was evident in 75% of the small, 61% of the large, and 38.5% of the giant aneurysms. Complications during the coiling procedure occurred in 75 procedures (15.6%). Ischemic complications were observed in 33 procedures (6.9%), and perforation of the aneurysm during the coiling occurred in 12 cases (2.5%). Five (41.7%) of 12 patients who had perforation during coiling died. The overall procedure-related morbidity and mortality were 5.6% and 2%, respectively. During the follow-up period, two patients (0.4%) had early rebleeding. None of the patients showed late rebleeding. In the follow-up, the retreatment rate was 12.6%. CONCLUSIONOur data confirm the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of endovascular coil embolization in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms

Ozone therapy as a novel complementary therapeutic approach in refractory idiopathic granulomatous mastitis

Background: Autoimmunity may play a major role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). The therapeutic potential of ozone therapy has recently been shown in rheumatological diseases, and this study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of ozone therapy (OT) in refractory IGM. Methods: Patients with biopsy-verified IGM and incomplete response after steroid therapy (n = 47) between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled. Of these, 23 cases in cohort A had standard treatment with further steroid therapy (ST), and 24 were treated with systemic OT via autohemotherapy (AHT) in addition to steroid therapy (cohort B). Results: The median age was 33 years (range, 24–45). Patients in cohort B had a higher complete response rate after completion of a four-month ozone therapy than those in the ST-group (OT-group, 37.5% vs. ST-group, 0%; p = 0.002). At a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 12–35), the patients treated with OT had a lower one-year recurrence in the affected breast than cases in cohort A treated with ST (OT-group, 21% vs. ST-group, 70%; p = 0.001). No significant side effects were observed in patients in cohort B related to AHT. Furthermore, OT significantly decreased the total steroid treatment duration (median week of steroid use; 26 weeks in cohort A vs. 12 weeks in cohort B; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Systemic OT increases the complete response rate and decreases the duration of steroid treatment in patients with refractory IGM. Therefore, ozone therapy is an effective, well-tolerated, and safe novel complementary therapeutic modality.Istanbul Breast Societ

Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir plus Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir +/- Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population.Material and Methods: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)+/- ribavirin (RBV) ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir (PrOD)+/- RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, factors affecting SVR, safety profile, and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) occurrence were analyzed.Results: SVR12 was achieved in 92.8% of the patients (4,040/4,352) according to intention-to-treat and in 98.3% of the patients (4,040/4,108) according to per-protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were similar between the treatment regimens (97.2%-100%) and genotypes (95.6%-100%). Patients achieving SVR showed a significant decrease in the mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (50.90 +/- 54.60 U/L to 17.00 +/- 14.50 U/L) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (7.51 +/- 4.54 to 7.32 +/- 3.40) (p<0.05). Of the patients, 2 were diagnosed with HCC during the treatment and 14 were diagnosed with HCC 37.0 +/- 16.0 weeks post-treatment. Higher initial MELD score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.38; p=0.023]), higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28; p=0.038), and higher serum ALT levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83; p=0.042) were associated with poor SVR12. The most common adverse events were fatigue (12.6%), pruritis (7.3%), increased serum ALT (4.7%) and bilirubin (3.8%) levels, and anemia (3.1%).Conclusion: LDV/SOF or PrOD +/- RBV were effective and tolerable treatments for patients with CHC and with or without advanced liver disease before and after liver transplantation. Although HCV eradication improves the liver function, there is a risk of developing HCC.Turkish Association for the Study of The Liver (TASL