Ganglion Impar block improves neuropathic pain in coccygodynia: A preliminary report

Aim of the study To define the effectiveness of ganglion Impar block in improving neuropathic pain. Materials and methods Patients who had pain around the coccyx for more than three months and did not respond to conservative treatment were included in this study. All the patients underwent fluoroscopy guided transsacrococcygeal ganglion Impar block with injecting 3 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine, 2 mL saline, and 1 mL (40 mg) of methylprednisolone. Patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs scale (LANSS) for neuropathic pain, Beck depression Inventory (BDI) for mood and Short-form 12 (SF-12) for quality of life before, 1 month 3 months and 6 months after the injection. Patients’ painless sitting duration was also recorded. Results A total of 28 patients were included in the final analyses. VAS and LANSS scores improved significantly throughout the follow-up periods. BDI scores also improved while SF-12 scores did not show significant changes. Painless sitting period of the patients’ improved significantly. Conclusions Ganglion Impar block is effective in decreasing the neuropathic component of chronic coccygodynia. This improves painless sitting in patients but its reflections on quality of life is not clear

Synthesis and characterization of mixed ligand chiral nanoclusters

Chiral mixed ligand silver nanoclusters were synthesized in the presence of a chiral and an achiral ligand. The ratio of the ligands was changed to track the formation of these clusters. While the chiral ligand lead to nanoparticles, Presence of the achiral ligand induced the formation of nanoclusters with chiral properties

Utility investigation of automated techniques in hematopoietic progenitor cell count and viability assessment in the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) settingg

Aim: To compare our parameters as regards: i) cell count via two different automated cell count techniques, and ii) viability via automated trypan blue exclusion and 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) staining. Method: We used the trypan blue exclusion technique and an automated cell counter and for viability testing, and the trypan blue exclusion technique and the 7-AAD evaluation by flow cytometry. The trypan blue exclusion and the radio frequency techniques were used for automated cell counting. Flow cytometric analysis was performed by evaluating the yielded cellular products for 7-AAD uptake during the cell count of CD34+ cells. Results: The mean values for cell count were estimated as 3.44±1.22x106/ml (range, 2.48-5.71x106/ml) and 4.14±1.94x106/ml (range, 1.77-7.43x106/ml) for the trypan blue exclusion and radio frequency techniques, respectively. Additionally, the mean values for viability analyses via the automated trypan blue exclusion and 7-AAD were 93.38±6.09% (range, 79.00-98.00%) and 99.49±0.60% (range, 98.40-100.00%), respectively. Conclusions: Our study has responded to two fundamental questions: whether the results of both of the automated techniques for cell count correspond with each other, and whether the results of the automated viability assessment conform those of the 7-AAD technique during the manufacturing processes of cellular therapy products intended for clinical use. Even though we have the opportunity to use the hemocytometer in our laboratory setting, the automated trypan blue exclusion technique gives cell count results in concordance within the range of the expectations of our Quality Management System (QMS)

Reflections of Turkish Immigrants on Their Adaptation to the United States: A Qualitative Study

The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of education, health, and family interaction on the professional and social integration of Turkish immigrants who are living in the United States, specifically in the Greater Boston area. There are a number of general studies on the adaptation of different immigrant groups in the United States; however, the specific adaptation process of Turkish immigrants in the United States has not been examined. This research aims to provide some insight into the effects of a new cultural context on the professional and social life of Turkish immigrants who have different types of visa status. The overarching research question of this study is, “What are the adaptation experiences of Turkish immigrants who have migrated to the greater Boston area, either for employment or academic purposes?” This alternative (3-paper) dissertation explores the adaptation experiences of Turkish immigrants in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area. Forty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted and form the basis of three separate manuscripts. The first paper is about the occupational adaptation of professional and unauthorized working class immigrants who are residing in the Greater Boston area. In order to examine the differences and similarities between professional immigrants and unauthorized working class immigrants in the process of adaptation to their new environment, the perspective of Occupational Adaptation Theory was used. Twenty-nine interviews were used for the first paper: fourteen were from unauthorized working class immigrants and fifteen were from professional (white collar) immigrants. The major findings include the critical role of age, education, employment, interpersonal relationships, and networking on adaptation. The second paper explores the relationship between the family members` and spouses` roles and expectations and their post immigration adaptation. The overarching research question is: “what is the role of family and/or spouses in the process of adaptation to the host culture?” Double ABCX Theory was used in order to define the major hallmarks of family functioning and dynamics in the adaptation process. Twenty-nine semi-structured interviews were analyzed. Major themes regarding to the role of family members` on the adaptation process include changes in family structure and dynamics following settlement in the new host culture and how these changes impact adaptation; the role of children; and the effect of marital status. The third paper covers general perspectives on immigration and the adaptation process in the host country. New Migration theory was used to better understand the daily life experiences of three different groups of Turkish immigrants during the adaptation process to new social and professional environments. All forty-two semi-structured interviews were used for the third paper: fourteen were from unauthorized working class immigrants, fifteen from professional immigrants, and thirteen were from student immigrants who were pursing masters or doctoral degrees. The findings of this third paper cluster around three major topics; maintaining inter-generational relationships, changing of expectations from the host country after immigration, and the role of Internet and technology on adaptation. This research fills a gap in our understanding of the adaptation processes of a new, rapidly growing, and under-studied group of immigrants. Direction for future research and implications for social work policy, specifically about the immigration and adaptation of Turkish immigrants in the U.S., are discussed.Social Work, Graduate College o

Ganglion blocks as a treatment of pain: current perspectives

Osman Hakan Gunduz, Ozge Kenis-Coskun Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey Abstract: The inputs from sympathetic ganglia have been known to be involved in the pathophysiology of various painful conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome, cancer pain of different origin, and coccygodynia. Sympathetic ganglia blocks are used to relieve patients who suffer from these conditions for over a century. Many numbers of local anesthetics such as bupivacaine or neurolytic agents such as alcohol can be chosen for a successful block. The agent is selected according to its duration of effect and the purpose of the injection. Most commonly used sympathetic blocks are stellate ganglion block, lumbar sympathetic block, celiac plexus block, superior hypogastric block, and ganglion Impar block. In this review, indications, methods, effectiveness, and complications of these blocks are discussed based on the data from the current literature. Keywords: cancer pain, complex regional pain syndrome, ganglion, pain management, sympathetic nervous system&nbsp

Comparative efficacy of kinesiotaping and stretching on sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles in patients suffering from myofascial pain due to temporomandibular joint disorder

Aim: During the recent past, the big role of various techniques of physiotherapy in the management of various pain syndromes has been recognized. This study determined the effects of kinesiotaping and stretching on pain, cervical joint range of motion and functional status in patients with myofascial pain due to temporomandibular joint disorder. Methodology: We enrolled 33 patients with myofascial pain due to temporomandibular joint disorder in the study. The patients were divided into three groups; Group K received kinesiotaping, while Group S received stretching exercises, of the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles. Patients in the Groups K and S received application twice a week for two weeks. No application was made to the control group (Group C). Cervical joint range of motion, muscle strength, pain, algometry tests and functional evaluation were repeated three times. Results: The groups were homogeneous in terms of demographics and the evaluated parameters at the beginning of the study (P > 0.05). In the Groups K and S, positive improvements were achieved in visual analog scale, algometry results, distance of mandibular depression, results of Patient Health Questionnaire and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Kinesiotaping and stretching on sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles were found to have equivalent effects in reducing pain, increasing mouth opening and functionality in patients suffering from myofascial pain due to temporomandibular joint disorder. © 2022 Faculty of Anaesthesia, Pain and Intensive Care, AFMS. All rights reserved

Small bowel intussusception together with appendicitis in childhood: A case report

Simultaneous diagnosis of intussusception and appendicitis in the same patient have rarely been described in the pediatric population. We reported a small bowel intussusception case together with acute suppurative appendicitis. A 9 years old boy had abdominal colic pain and he had vomit frequently. On physical examination, he was awake, active and uncomfortable. Abdominal ultrasound (US) suggested ileoileocolic intussusception. Laparotomy was performed and an ileoileocolic intussusception was visualized. Ileoileocolic intussusception was reducted manually. After reduction appendix was visualized and it was acute suppurative appendicitis. Appendectomy was performed. Neither medical nor surgical problem occurred during long term follow-up. In conclusion, we though that it is important to examine the other pathologic conditions such as leading points, bowel complications and even appendicitis in case of intussusception