Platelet lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio are predictors of ST segment resolution following thrombolytic treatment

BACKGROUND: The platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between ST segment resolution and these inflammation markers in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) following thrombolytic treatment. METHODS: We included 55 patients suffering from STEMI who were administered thrombolytic treatment and met the inclusion criteria. The sum of ST segment elevation was measured at presentation and 60–90 minutes after administration of the thrombolytic agent. According to the sum of STR, patients were divided into two groups (patients with STR >50% vs. those with STR ?50%). RESULTS: In this study, 58.2% (N.=32) and 41.8% (N.=23) of patients were found to have STR>50% and STR?50%, respectively. Time to treatment was significantly higher in the STR?50% group than in the STR>50% group (3.3±2.78 h, 1.99±1.4 h, P=0.024). There was no statistically significant association between STR and neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, white blood cell count, mean platelet volume, plateletcrit, hemoglobin, serum glucose and urea. NLR was significantly higher in the STR?50% group than in the STR>50% group (4.51±3.24 vs. 3.92±6.50, P=0.044). The PLR was also significantly higher in the STR?50% group (140±79 vs. 102±69, P=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Admission PLR and NLR might be valuable in the prediction of impaired ST segment resolution following thrombolysis in patients with STEMI. © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDIC

Proportional serum lipid parameters in coronary slow flow phenomenon

Objective: The association between serum lipid parameters and coronary slow-flow (CSF) phenomenon has been searched previously. The aim of our study was to determine the association between proportional serum lipid parameters and CSF. Material and Methods: We enrolled 93 stable patients randomly who had undergone coronary angiography and had near-normal coronary arteries with normal and slow coronary flow. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were recorded retrospectively. Coronary flow velocity was evaluated by TIMI frame count (TFC). CFS phenomenon was defined as a TFC greater than 27 frames. Corrected TFC was calculated for the left anterior descending coronary artery. Results: Fifty four patients were in CSF group and 39 patients were in control group. The mean age of the patients in CSF group was significantly higher than control group (55.4±9.5 vs. 50.5±9.8 years, p= 0.019). Triglyceride (TG) levels was found higher in CSF group than control group (187.3±103.4 mg/dl, 125.3±63.8 mg/dl, p<0.001). Total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-c), TG/HDL-c, low density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL-c ratio (LDL-c/HDL-c) and non-HDL-c levels were significantly higher in CSF group (p=0.007, p=0.004, p=0.044, p=0.018, respectively). TG and TG/HDL-c were found correlated with TFC (r=0.280, r=0.262, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis age, smoking and TG were found statistically significant to predict of CSF. TG was found most associated with the presence of CSF (OR: 7.516, p=0.001). Conclusion: Higher TG, TC/HDL-c, TG/HDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c and non-HDL-c levels were related with CSF phenomenon. Copyright © 2019 by Türkiye Klinikleri

Prevalence of periodontal disease among mine workers of Zonguldak, Kozlu District, Turkey: A cross-sectional study

Background: Occupational injuries cause major health problems in all nations. Coal mining is one of the largest, oldest industries in the world. However, there is relatively little available literature concerning the health status of coal miners. The purpose of this work is to assess the prevalence of periodontal disease among coal miners and provide a basis for planning and evaluating the data from community oral health services. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted 106 men selected based on a stratified cluster sampling procedure. The study was performed among the mine workers of Zonguldak, Kozlu District, Turkey. The questionnaire prepared by the American Academy of Periodontology risk assessment test was used for the evaluation. The data were collected byWorld Health Organization (WHO) oral health assessment form, and clinical examination was conducted by the method recommended by the WHO oral health surveys. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software programme. Results: The overall prevalence of periodontal disease was found to be 96.2% and was determined by considering subjects with Community Periodontal Index scores of 1-4 as diseased and the healthy subjects comprised of a mere 3.8%. Furthermore, various disturbing or embarrassing work conditions were reported. Statistically significant differences were observed among the workers who brush their teeth daily and visit dental attendance within the last two years have better periodontal status than those of the others (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present level of periodontal disease in coal mine workers is severe. Moreover, its distribution and severity are strongly influenced by host susceptibility and risk factors. The priority should be based on population strategy and primary prevention programmes to benefit the periodontal health by promoting self-care and oral hygiene. © 2018 The Author(s)

Hemşirelik Öğrencilerinin Merhamet Düzeylerinin Organ Bağışına Yönelik Tutumları ile İlişkisi

Amaç: Organ bağışı ve nakil sürecinde sağlık ekibinin büyük bir gücü olan hemşirelerin önemli sorumlulukları vardır. Bu nedenle geleceğin hemşireleri olarak organ bağışı ve nakil sürecinde aktif rol alacak öğrencilerin organ bağışına yönelik tutumlarını, bilgisini ve organ bağışını etkileyen faktörleri belirlemek toplumun organ bağışı konusunda farkındalık kazanması açısından önem taşımaktadır. Organ bağışını olumlu olarak etkileyebilecek faktörlerden birinin de merhamet duygusu olduğu düşünülmektedir. Bu bağlamda araştırma, hemşirelik öğrencilerinin merhamet düzeylerinin organ bağışına yönelik tutumları ile ilişkisini belirlemek amacıyla gerçekleştirildi. Yöntem :Araştırma, tanımlayıcı ve ilişki arayıcı bir çalışmadır. Araştırmanın evrenini, bir vakıf üniversitesinin 1. 2. 3. ve 4. sınıflarında öğrenim gören toplam 208 hemşirelik öğrencisi, örneklemini ise verilerin toplandığı tarihte devamsızlık yapmayan ve araştırmaya katılmayı kabul eden 194 öğrencisi oluşturdu. Veriler, ‘‘Öğrenci Bilgi Formu’’ \"Merhamet Ölçeği\" ve ‘‘Organ Bağışı Tutum Ölçeği’’ kullanılarak yüz yüze toplandı. Verilerin istatistiksel analizleri için SPSS 21.0 programı kullanıldı. Veriler değerlendirilirken, tanımlayıcı istatistiksel testler, Student t testi, One Way Anova testi ve korelasyon analizi kullanıldı. Bulgular :Çalışmaya katılan öğrencilerin %90,2’si kadın, %32.0’si 2. sınıf öğrencisidir. Öğrencilerin %57,2’sinin organ bağışında bulunmayı düşünmediği ve %96,4’ünün kendini merhametli biri olarak tanımladığı saptandı. Öğrencilerin Merhamet ölçeğinden aldıkları toplam puan ortalaması 100.40±12,64 olarak bulundu. Organ Bağışı Tutum ölçeğinden aldıkları toplam pozitif puan ortalaması 98,35±16,30, toplam negatif puan ortalaması ise 58,45±18,88 olarak saptandı. Öğrencilerin cinsiyet (p=0,008) ve sınıf (p=0.025) değişkenlerine göre merhamet düzeylerinde anlamlı farklılık olduğu görüldü. Öğrencilerin merhamet düzeyleri ile organ bağışına yönelik pozitif tutumları arasında zayıf düzeyde pozitif yönde anlamlı ilişki (r=0.378, p=0.000), organ bağışına yönelik negatif tutumları arasında ise zayıf düzeyde negatif yönde anlamlı ilişki (r=:-0.356, p=0.000) saptandı. Sonuç ve Öneriler: Hemşirelik öğrencilerinin merhamet düzeylerinin yüksek, organ bağışına yönelik tutumlarının ise olumlu olduğu belirlendi. Kadın öğrencilerin merhamet düzeylerinin erkek öğrencilerden yüksek olduğu ve 3.sınıf öğrencilerinin diğer sınıflardaki öğrencilere göre daha yüksek merhamet düzeyine sahip olduğu görüldü. Öğrencilerin merhamet düzeyleri ile organ bağışına yönelik tutumları arasında anlamlı ilişki saptandı. Toplumsal farkındalığın arttırılmasında önemli rol oynayan geleceğin sağlık profesyonelleri olarak hemşirelik öğrencilerinin merhamet düzeylerini ve organ bağışı konusunda pozitif tutumunu geliştirmeye yönelik eğitimlerin planlanması, bu gelişimi destekleyecek farklı öğretim yöntemlerinin kullanılması ve uygulama alanlarının oluşturulması önerilmektedir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Hemşirelik öğrencisi, merhamet, organ bağışı, tutu

Effect of Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels on the coronary slow-flow phenomenon

The presence of vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone receptors has been demonstrated in the vascular endothelium. Variations in vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels may affect coronary flow and cause the coronary slow-flow phenomenon (CSF). Methods: We enrolled 93 patients who had undergone coronary angiography and had near-normal coronary arteries. Blood samples were taken to determine the calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level of less than 20 ng/mL. We divided the study population into two groups according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC) levels. Results: Patients with TFC ?27 were in the control group (n = 39), and those with TFC >27 were in the CSF group (n = 54). 25-Hydroxy vitamin D levels were similar in both groups: 17.5 [3.3-36.1] ng/ml in the CSF group and 15.2 [5.3-34] ng/ml in the control group (P = 0.129). When we analyzed TFC for each of the coronary arteries, we found a weak negative correlation between vitamin D level and TFC of the right coronary artery in the CSF group (r = -0.314, P = 0.021). Parathyroid hormone levels were similar in both groups: 48 [16-140] pg/ml in the CSF group and 52 [25-125] pg/ml in the control group (P = 0.297). Conclusion: The study failed to demonstrate a relationship between serum parathyroid hormone level and CSF. However, a weak negative correlation was found between vitamin D level and TFC of the right coronary artery. © 2019 Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Beneficial effects of garlic (Allium sativum) oil in experimental corrosive esophageal burns effects of garlic oil in esophageal burns [Deneysel korozif özefagus yanıklarında sarımsak yağının (Allium Sativum) yararlı etkileri]

BACKGROUND: Corrosive esophageal burns, particularly common in developing countries, lead to different problems in different age groups. The ingestion of corrosive substances can cause such problems as stricture of the esophagus, to acute perforation, and even death. Because stricture formation is related to the severity of the initial injury, the prevention of stricture constitutes a main goal of treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic (Allium sativum) oil in corrosive esophageal burn. METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: group 1 (sham), group 2 (control), group 3 (topical treatment), and group 4 (topical and systemic treatment). In groups 2, 3, and 4, corrosive esophageal burns were generated by applying sodium hydroxide to a 1.5-cm segment of the abdominal esophagus. Normal saline was applied to group 2, topical garlic oil to group 3, and topical and systemic garlic oil were used in group 4. RESULTS: The level of hydroxyproline was lower in the topical treatment groups than in the control group (p=0.023). There was difference in tumor necrosis factor alpha level between the systemic treatment groups and the control group (p=0.044). Treatment with garlic oil decreased stenosis index (SI) and histopathological damage score (HDS) in corrosive esophageal burn rats. The SI in the topical treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p=0.016). The HDS was significantly lower in group 4 when compared with the control group (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: Garlic oil is an effective agent in promoting the regression of esophageal stenosis and tissue damage caused by corrosive burns. While the protective effect of garlic oil on tissue damage is more significant when applied topically, the anti-inflammatory effect is more pronounced when applied systemically. Therefore, we believe that the application of garlic oil in patients with corrosive esophageal burns can reduce complication rates. © 2017 TJTES

Diagnostic utility of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia: A retrospective cohort study [Akut mezenterik iskemili hastalarda nötrofil-lenfosit oranının tanısal yararı: Geriye dönük kohort çalışma]

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) remains fatal in 50-70% of cases. AMI is recognized as a vascular emergency, requiring rapid and efficient clinical evaluation and treatment. In the present retrospective study, the possible utility of the neutrophillymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the early diagnosis of AMI was explored. The potential use of this ratio to distinguish AMI from non-vascular bowel necrosis (NVBN) was investigated. METHODS: A total of 58 AMI, 62 NVBN, and 62 control patients were enrolled between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2015. Patients who underwent laparotomies and/or bowel resections to treat AMI were included, as were NVBN patients who underwent segmental bowel resection to treat incarcerated and strangulated hernias. Controls were patients who presented to the emergency room with non-specific abdominal pain. RESULTS: Mortality rate was 51.7% in the AMI and 4.8% in the NVBN groups. White blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and red cell distribution width (RDW) were highest in the AMI group. NLR was higher in the AMI and NVBN groups than in the control group (p<0.001), though no difference in NLR was found between the AMI and NVBN groups. In addition, WBC count, CRP level, and NLR were higher in the NVBN group than in the controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We suggest that preoperative NLR aids in the diagnosis of AMI, and can be used to distinguish this condition from NVBN. NLR should be calculated, in addition to clinical examination. © 2016 TJTES

Assessment of relation between subjecti{dotless}ve memory complai{dotless}nts and objective cognitive performance of elderly over 55 years old age [Elli beş yaş üstü popülasyonda subjektif bellek yaki{dotless}nmasi{dotless} ile objektif kognitif performans arasi{dotless}ndaki i·lişkinin belirlenmesi]

Introduction: This study investigated the frequency of forgetfulness in elderly individuals over 55 years of age and examined the association of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) with objective cognitive functions, depression and other risk factors. Met hods: We recruited 405 patients over 55 years of age who were referred to Neurology, Cardiology, or Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation outpatient clinics. All subjects were questioned regarding forgetfulness and then were administered the Subjective Memory Complaint (SMC) Scale, Mini Mental Test (MMT), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Subjects with SMC were compared with those without SMC in terms of cognition, depression and some laboratory parameters. re sults: Of the patients, 42.5% complained of forgetfulness. None of these patients had been admitted to hospital for this complaint. Women and patients with low education had more forgetfulness as well as poorer results on the SMC Scale, MMT, VFT, and GDS. Patients with SMC had lower hemoglobin, ferritin and free T4 levels. Female gender and depression was found to be a risk factor for SMCs. conc lu si on: SMCs are common in people over 55 years of age. Being a woman as well as depression was found to be a risk factor for SMC. Since depression is a treatable condition, these people should be assessed carefully in terms of depressive symptoms. Laboratory parameters, such as hemoglobin, ferritin and free T4 levels should be investigated in patients with SMC. Unlike the other cognitive tests, CDT performance is independent of subjective memory complaints. Elderly patients rarely visit hospital with complaint of SMC, therefore, clinicians should be watchful for this problem. © Archives of Neuropsychiatry, published by Galenos Publishing