12 research outputs found
The effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on skin biophysical properties in patients with breast cancer at risk for breast lymphedema: A prospective study
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer among women. Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the main and primary treatment options for BC, especially in breast-conserving surgery (BCS). BC patients who underwent RT experience a wide range of symptoms, in which breast oedema and irritation of the skin take the lion's share. Breast oedema/lymphedema, which is also a prominent side effect after RT should be well determined in earlier settings due to the chronicity of lymphedema. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the biophysical parameters of skin on the ipsilateral (IL) and contralateral (CL) sites via Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) methods in terms of oedema and skin barrier function (SBF). The following reference points before and after the RT were measured: (R1: Pectoralis muscle, R2: Upper breast, R3: Lower breast, R4: Lateral site of the thorax). A total of 24 BC patients (mean age and BMI: 52.78 +/- 9.85 years and 28.42 +/- 5.64 kg/m(2)) were evaluated. In the IL site, the SBF was not found significant in R1-R3, whereas significantly lower SBF was observed in R4 after RT (t = -3.361, p = 0.003). A significant increase in TDC was observed in R2 at the 5.0 mm depth (t = -2.500, p = 0.02). We suggest that a longer period of follow-up should be carefully carried out to track changes in terms of SBF and oedema in the irradiated breast. The increased need for early detection of changes associated with breast lymphedema can be achievable via noninvasive, safe, cheap, and easily repeatable devices
Synthesis of new carbon material produced from human hair and its evaluation as electrochemical supercapacitor
Aslan, Sema/0000-0001-9796-7311WOS: 000548157000001In this study, carbon material similar to graphene structure (GLS) was prepared from graphite and the carbonization of Turkish human hair fibers (HHC) and utilized for the modification of electrode to evaluate the supercapacitance performance. Electrochemical characterization of the HHC-based GLS (HHC-GLS) modified electrodes have been carried out with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. the morphology and chemical composition of the resultant GLSs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction spectroscopy, Raman and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. HHC-GLS displayed a good electrochemical activity than the graphite sourced graphene and possess very similar morphological properties with commercial graphene. Carbonization of the waste hair was carried out at 280 degrees C to improve the pore structure as the first step of GLS synthesis. HHC-GLS modified electrode exhibited the best electrochemical activity and utilized as a charge storage device. the best specific capacitance value was found to be 139.00 F g(-1)in 6.00 M KOH((aq))at a scan rate of 100.00 mV s(-1)and good stability over 500 cycles. Whereas an energy density of 19.3 Wh kg(-1)and power density of 6.95 kW kg(-1)were obtained from the electrode when operated in the voltage range from -1.00 to 0.00 V. This work offers a new approach to human hair waste management in terms of promising green energy applications. This study was patented by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (Turkish Patent Institute Application Number: (2019/22841))
Evaluation of the radiocontrast nephropathy development due to the contrast-enhanced CT applications in emergency department
Aim: We aimed to determine the incidence of post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI), the demographic characteristics of patients, and the reasons that facilitate the development of PC-AKI in patients who were admitted to the emergency department and underwent computed tomography (CT) with intravascular contrast media. Material and Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional and analytical study. Patients over the age of 18 who underwent CT with intravascular contrast media and were hospitalized for at least 48 hours were included in this study. The development of PC-AKI and the clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients were evaluated.Results: A total of 816 patients were included in the study. Thirty-six (4.4%) patients developed PC-AKI. We found that the average length of hospital stay was 22.2 +/- 41.7 days. Patients with a history of hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) and who had hypotension on admission to the emergency department were found to have a higher risk of developing PC-AKI (p<0.05 for all of them). The development of PC-AKI was significantly higher in patients receiving ACE inhibitors (p=0.004). When the clinical outcomes of the patients with PC-AKI were evaluated, it was observed that 47.2% (n=17) of them died. Mortality was statistically significantly higher in patients with PC-AKI than in the patients without PC-AKI (p<0.0001). Discussion: PC-AKI led to an increase in the length of hospital stay of patients. The patients with PC-AKI had a higher mortality rate compared with the patients without PC-AKI
The gathering of predators around the sea-cage fish farms in the Aegean Sea
WOS:000615140700001A total of 48 randomly selected fish farms from the coasts of Izmir and Mugla, Aegean Sea, were visited to face-to-face interviewing with fish farmers in the sea-cage fish farms between July 2015 and July 2017. Data were collected concerned mainly the following two aspects in the area: (i) actual problems on the sea-birds and other predators such as sharks, dolphins, monk seals, fishes; (ii) interactions between sea-cages and predator attacks. Around the sea-cage fish farms, 3 sea birds, Phalacrocorax carbo, Egretta alba and Larus michahellis, 2 marine mammals, Tursiops truncatus and Monachus monachus, 3 fish species, Pomatomus saltatrix, Thunnus thynnus and Prionace glauca, and one sea turtle, Caretta caretta, were declared as predators. The cormorant P. carbo had the highest ratio (24.3%) for being seen as a potential problem by fish farmers, followed by T. truncatus, T. thynnus and M. monachus. Great white egret, yellow-legged gull and cormorant were continuously observed by fish farmers. Seasonally, there were significant different incidences of the species (p < 0.05). Monk seal and bluefish were observed continuously, while blue shark had only been appeared during the collecting dead fish around the sea-cage fish farms.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [114Y584]This study was financially supported by Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [Project number: 114Y584]. The authors also thank Dr. Mehmet Siki, marine ornithologist from Ege University for his confirmed the identification of the seabirds
Comparison of near-infrared spectroscopy and head CT interpretations of the ED patients with minor head injury
This study compares near-infrared spectroscopy device and brain computed tomography results in detection of intracranial hemorrhages of patients in an emergency department with minor head trauma and whose computed tomography scans were obtained. In our prospective and cross-sectional study, sociodemographic and clinical features, and brain computed tomography and near-infrared spectroscopy device data of patients diagnosed with minor head trauma were compared. Among 546 trauma patients diagnosed with minor head trauma, 151 of them met the criteria for inclusion in the study. When compared with brain computed tomography, near infrared spectroscopy device data are 85.7% sensitive, are 66.6% specific, and have a negative predictive value of 98.9% and a positive predictive value of 11.1%. There was a statistically significant difference in rates of diagnosis of pathology between near-infrared spectroscopy device data and official radiologist decision of brain computed tomography results In our study, although we could not reach evidence showing that Infrascanner could be used as an alternative to cerebral computed tomography in intracranial hemorrhages, it is a valuable screening tool in some cases such as bedside monitoring, mass casualty events, remote areas, ambulance services, and others. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Musculoskeletal Pain In Elderly Patients With Osteoporosis: A Multicenter Study
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the ones with osteoporosis (OP) in elderly patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints and to evaluate the distribution of region of pain and the medications used for the musculoskeletal disease(s) in these patients. Materials and Methods: 1141 elderly patients who were consecutively admitted to the outpatient clinics in nine different provinces were screened for the diagnosis of OR Age, gender, complaints, diagnosis and current medications related to musculoskeletal system disorder(s) were recorded. Results: 382 elderly (341 female, 41 male) with a mean age of 71.9 +/- 5.3 years had the diagnosis of OR Low (54.5%) and upper back (39.6%) pain were the most common complaints in both sexes. These were followed by knee, hip, cervical and shoulder pain, respectively. Osteoarthritis (36%), lumbar (21%) and cervical spondylosis/stenosis (10%) were the most common musculoskeletal diseases accompanying OR The mean number of drugs used was 3.0 +/- 1.2. The most commonly prescribed anti-osteoporotic agents were bisphosphonates (59%). For the musculoskeletal pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (systemic and/or topical) were used in 46.6% and paracetamol in 24.6% of patients. Conclusion: It is crucial to perform a thorough physical examination to reveal the underlying cause of back pain in elderly osteoporotic patients. Besides, in order to minimize polypharmacy, it should be kept in mind that non-pharmacological approaches can be used for the management of musculoskeletal diseases. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2012;58:263-6.WoSScopu
Kawasaki disease: review of 21 cases
Purpose: Kawasaki disease is common in children and is an acute systemic vasculitis affecting coronary arteries. Kawasaki disease has multisystemic nature with a variety of presenting symptoms. Without treatment 20- 25% of Kawasaki disease patients develop coronary artery aneurysms. Our goal is to summarize the clinical data of patients treated with Kawasaki disease at our clinics.
Material and Methods: Clinical features, laboratory findings, diagnosis and treatment of 21 patients with Kawasaki disease hospitalized at Turkish Ministry of Health Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Pediatrics during January 2009 to January 2015 were retrospectively evaluated.
Results: The patients were between 9 and 67 months old (median 27.52+/- 18.78), 71.4% (n:15) were male. The duration of disease before diagnosis was 7.1+/-3.48 days, median 6 days. All patients had fever. The most common clinical features were oral cavity changes 95.2% (n:20), rash 85.7% (n:18), conjunctival injection 71.4% (n:15), extremity changes 61,9% (n:13), cervical lymphadenopathy 57.1% (n:12). We also observed sterile pyuria in 33.3%, desquamation of perianal area 28.6 %, aseptic meningitis in 9.5%, hydrops of the gallblader 4.8%. 19.1% patients had incomplete Kawasaki disease. 6 patients, 28.5% had coronary artery abnormalities. Intravenous immunglobulin treatment failure was observed in 9.5% of patients, one of them was diagnosed as macrophage activation syndrome.
Conclusion: Kawasaki disease has difficulty in diagnosis because of having broad spectrum of presenting symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important in preventing coronary artery abnormalities. [Cukurova Med J 2016; 41(1.000): 97-104