Six miRNA expressions in the saliva of smokers and non-smokers with periodontal disease

BackgroundIt has been stated that microRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in development, homeostasis, and immune functions, and abnormal miRNA expression may cause faster disease progression. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine miR-203, miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-146b, miR-155, and miR-29b gene expressions in the saliva of smokers and non-smokers with the periodontal disease before and after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). MethodsA total of 90 individuals, 30 with periodontitis, 30 with gingivitis, and 30 periodontally healthy (control group), were included. These three groups were divided into subgroups as smoking and non-smoking individuals, with 15 people in each group. NSPT was applied to patients with periodontitis and gingivitis. Saliva samples and clinical parameters were obtained at baseline and repeated 6 weeks after NSPT. ResultsSaliva miR-203, miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-146b, and miR-155 gene expressions were significantly upregulated in patients with periodontal disease compared to the control group both in smokers and non-smokers, and also these miRNAs' gene expressions were significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the gingivitis group at baseline (p .05). ConclusionsThese results suggest that salivary miR-146a, miR-146b, miR142-3p, miR-155, and miR-203 gene expressions increased with the progression of periodontal disease, but unchanged after periodontal treatment. Moreover, smoking may contribute to an increase in the levels of salivary miR-142-3p in the periodontal health and disease

Tatlısu ekosisteminde endişe yaratan kirleticiler: Türkiye’den bir vaka çalışması

The current study evaluated certain emerging contaminants in the Susurluk sub-basin, an area under significant anthropogenic pollution pressure. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organochlorine insecticides, and microplastics were investigated both from surface and sediment samples collected in dry and wet seasons. γ-HCH and β-HCH were detected in the dry season from Kocaçay River reaching the Marmara Sea. Dieldrin concentrations were also very high in river sediments during the dry season. Nilüfer Stream is a significant waterway close to industrial and urban areas and under impact of pollution due to high concentrations of PCBs, DDT, and its’ metabolites. Sediment samples contained higher levels of contaminants: DDT and metabolites were found in sediments from almost all stations. According to the Hazard quotient coefficient, all detected pollutants were found to be >1, indicating a high risk in the river system. Fiber was the dominant microplastic. The water quality of Nilüfer Stream was poor/bad in quality both in dry and wet seasons, while Kocaçay River was moderate and poor/bad quality in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The findings of bacterial growth augmented and worsened water quality in the river basin with coliforms dominating, as assessed at the genus/species level and were very abundant.Bu çalışma, önemli antropojenik kirlilik baskısı altındaki bir alan olan Susurluk alt havzasında ortaya çıkan bazı endişe yaratan kirleticiler değerlendirmiştir. Kurak ve yağışlı mevsimlerde toplanan yüzey ve sediman örneklerinde poliklorlu bifeniller (PCBler), polibromlu bifeniller difenil eterler (PBDEler), organoklorlu insektisitler ve mikroplastikler araştırılmıştır. γ-HCH and β-HCH, Kocaçay Nehri’nin Marmara Denizi’ne dökülen bölgesinde kurak mevsimde tespit edilmiştir. Dieldrin konsantrasyonları da kurak mevsim boyunca nehir sedimanlarında çok yüksektir. Nilüfer çayı endüstriyel ve kentsel alanlara yakın olan önemli bir su yoludur ve yüksek konsantrasyondaki PCBler, DDT ve metabolitleri nedeniyle kirlilik etkisi altındadır. Sediman örnekleri daha yüksek seviyede kirletici içermektedir: DDT ve metabolitleri neredeyse tüm istasyonlardan alınan sediman örneklerinde bulunmuştur. Tehlike oranı katsayısına (Hazard Quotient) göre tesbit edilen tüm kirleticiler >1 olarak bulunmuş ve bu da nehir sisteminde yüksek risk olduğunu göstermiştir. Mikroplastikler içinde fiber en baskın olanıdır. Nilüfer Çayı’nın su kalitesi hem kurak hem de yağışlı sezonda kötü iken, Kocaçay Nehri’nin su kalitesi kurak mevsimde orta ve yağışlı mevsimde kötüdür. Cins/tür düzeyinde değerlendirildiğinde koliformların hakim olduğu ve çok miktarda olan bakteriyel büyüme bulguları da nehir havzasındaki su kalitesini kötüleştirmiştir

Comparison of the diagnoses, the outpatient clinics they visited, and the number of visits of patients with and without a diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome: Do patients with fibromyalgia syndrome come to the hospital more often? [Fibromiyalji sendromu tanısı olan ve olmayan hastaların başvurdukları poliklinik bölümleri, başvuru sayıları ve aldıkları tanıların karşılaştırılması: Fibromiyalji sendromu tanısı olan hastalar, hastaneye daha mı sık geliyor?]

Summary Objectives: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) has a wide spectrum of symptoms that includes all body parts. So FMS is a great imitator. This brings to mind the possibility that fibromyalgia patients visit outpatient clinics in many departments more than non-fibromyalgia patients. However, there is not enough data on this subject. This study aims to compare the number of outpatient visits of patients with FMS with those without a diagnosis of FMS and to examine their diagnoses. Methods: The diagnoses of 140 patients (70 with fibromyalgia and 70 controls), and departments of the outpatient clinics they visited were analyzed retrospectively. In the control group, patients who visited the same outpatient clinic with the complaint of knee pain, but who did not have FMS and who had never been diagnosed with FMS before, were recruited as age- and gender-matched. Results: The total number of outpatient clinic visits, as well as the number of visits to physical medicine and rehabilitation, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, internal medicine, and psychiatry departments, were significantly higher in fibromyalgia group patients compared to the control group. In addition, the number of diagnoses in the 5th chapter (mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders, F01-F99) of International Classification of Diseases-10 was significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group. Conclusion: It should be kept in mind that patients with FMS visit more hospitals and outpatient clinics than other patients. Physicians and patients should be informed about this issue to reduce unnecessary health costs

The effects of Covid-19 on physical medicine and rehabilitation in Turkey in the first month of pandemic

Objectives: The outbreak of novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) has affected Turkey very seriously, as well as all around the world. Many urgent and radical measures were taken due to the high contagious risk and mortality rate of the outbreak. It is noteworthy that isolation recommendations and the provision of health services for pandemic have a negative impact on Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) services. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on the PMR services and physiatrists immediately after the first month of pandemic in Turkey. Patients and methods: An online survey consisting of 45 items was sent to the members of the Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The main goal of the survey was to evaluate the changes in the provided service of PMR and conditions of physiatrists one month after the first reported COVID-19 case in Turkey. Results: A total of 606 PMR specialists and residents responded to the survey. The mean number of the patients visited the outpatient clinics was 148.2 +/- 128.5 per week before the pandemic, it significantly decreased to 23.4 +/- 33.1 per week after the first month of the reported first COVID-19 case. Similarly, the mean number of the patients of inpatient service significantly decreased from 21.7 +/- 39.3 per week to 2.5 +/- 10.0 per week after the first month of the pandemic. Most of the residents (69%) reported that their training was seriously affected due to pandemic. From the economic aspect, 69.2% of the participants who were working at private hospitals reported a decrease in their monthly salary, and 21% of them were sent to an unpaid vacation. A total of 21.9% of private-practice institutions paused their services. During the first month, 46.9% of the participants were assigned to the different services such as COVID-19 inpatient service, emergency or COVID-19 outpatient clinics. According to the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Health guideline and algorithm, 15.7% of the physicians were in the category of healthcare workers with suspected COVID-19. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic affected seriously both the services and the PMR physicians as early as the first month. This effect is expected to become worse, when the duration of pandemic prolongs. Proper arrangements and measures should be planned to ameliorate the negative effects of the pandemic on the patients and PMR physicians

LIMPRINT study - the Turkish experience

Background: Lymphedema and chronic oedema is a major healthcare problem in both developed and non-developed countries The LIMPRINT study is an international health service based study to determine the prevalence and functional impact in adult populations of member countries of the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF). Methods: 1051 patients from 8 centers in Turkey were recruited using the LIMPRINT study protocol. Data were collected using the core and module tools which assess the demographic and clinical properties as well as disability and QoL. Results: Most of the Turkish patients were recruited from specialist lymphedema services and were found to be female, housewives and having secondary lymphedema due to cancer treatment. The duration of lymphedema was commonly less than 5 years and most of them had ISL Grade 2 lymphedema. Cellulitis, infection and wounds were uncommon. The majority of patients did not get any treatment or advice before. Most of the patients had impaired QoL and decreased functionality, but psychological support was neglected. Although most had social health security access to Lymphedema centres nevertheless access seemed difficult due to distance and cost. Conclusion: The study has shown the current status and characteristics of lymphedema patients, treatment conditions, the unmet need for the diagnosis and treatment as well as burden of the disease in both patients and families in Turkey. National health policies are needed for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment in Turkey that utilise this informative data

Temporomandibular disorders seen in rheumatology practices: a review

WOS: 000238158300001PubMed: 16437199Temporomandibular disorders are recognized as the most common nontooth-related chronic orofacial pain conditions. This article reviews the recent temporomandibular disorders literature and summarizes the temporomandibular disorders seen in rheumatology practices. Arthritis is a common condition affecting the temporomandibular joint. Although degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis are the most frequently encountered infectious arthritis, metabolic arthritis, spondyloarthropathies and the traumatic arthritis have also been reported. Distinguishing between different temporomandibular disorders is as important as the clinical course, long-term prognosis, and therapy. Diagnostic criteria are generally based on signs and symptoms of the patient. The American Academy of Orofacial Pain established the first well-defined diagnostic classification. In addition, Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders have been developed using similar classification. In the treatment of temporomandibular disorders, conservative and noninvasive treatments are endorsed for the initial care of nearly all TMD patients because the majority of patients with TMD achieve good relief of symptoms with conservative treatment

The important role of central sensitization in chronic musculoskeletal pain seen in different rheumatic diseases

PubMed ID: 31446538Objective: This study explored the role of central sensitization (CS) pain in patients with various rheumatic diseases using the CS inventory (CSI). Methods: A total of 193 patients of mean age 50.72 ± 9.65 years were included; they were divided into four different groups in terms of their rheumatic diseases. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathy (SpA), osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) were evaluated in tertiary care rheumatology/pain medicine settings. Disease duration and activity, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, the Disease Activity Score-28, and pain severity (evaluated using a visual analog scale) were assessed, and the Turkish version of the CSI administered. Results: CS syndromes were present in almost half the patients (45% of SpA, 41% of RA, 62% of OA, and 94% of FMS patients). We found no significant relationship between disease activity and the CSI-A scores in SpA or RA patients (p = 0.731 and p = 0.390, respectively). As expected, the CSI-A scores were highest in the FMS group (p = 0.000), but were similar in the other groups (p < 0.05). CS-related syndromes (CSI-B conditions) were present at similar frequencies in the RA, SpA, and OA groups, but were less common in the FMS group (p = 0.000). Conclusions: The CSI usefully detects CS pain in patients with rheumatic diseases. Treatment of such pain can enhance the quality of daily life in patients with rheumatic diseases.Key Point• Central sensitization pain is common in patients with rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, and osteoarthritis. © 2019, International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR)