Dietary intakes among Turkish adolescent girls

The aim of this study was to obtain data about the nutritional intake of adolescent girls from Edirne, Turkey. In a sample of 940 healthy adolescent girls aged between 12 and 17 years, intake of macronutrients and micronutrients was assessed from 3-day self-reported food records. In general, macronutrient intake was found to be adequate whereas micronutrient intake was lower than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The percentage of energy distribution of the subjects derived from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats was 53.6%, 10.9%, and 35.5%, respectively. Compared with the RDA, reported intakes of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and fiber were most likely to be inadequate; those of folic acid and potassium were adequate; and those of vitamins A and C were well above. Adolescent girls living in the rural area consumed lower amounts of energy, carbohydrate, protein, niacin, folic acid, vitamin C, and sodium and higher amounts of thiamin compared with those living in the urban area. Based on the findings of this study, a preventive nutritional concept for Turkish adolescent girls was proposed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Relationship between mastoid pneumatization and middle ear barotrauma in divers

Objectives/Hypothesis: Previous studies have shown a relationship between eustachian, tube function and size of mastoid pneumatization, as well as eustachian tube function and middle ear (ME) barotrauma. The purpose of this study is to investigate a possible relationship between size of mastoid pneumatization and ME barotrauma in sports scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) divers. Study Design: Prospective, blinded. Material and Methods: Twenty-four sports scuba divers (48 ears), who were fit to dive in the predive and otolaryngologic examination, were included in the study. Size of mastoid pneumatization was measured by simplified rectangular dimension method on a mastoid x-ray taken at Schuller's view. Divers were counseled to refer to the investigators if any symptoms occurred during and/or after diving. All symptomatic ears were examined within 24 hours of diving by the same investigator, who was blinded to the degree of pneumatization. Results: ME barotrauma occurred in 15 ears (31%) of 11 divers (46%) at one time or another. The median degree of pneumatization in ears with barotrauma (22.9 cm(2)) was significantly smaller than that in unaffected ears (34.1 cm(2); (P <.001). Furthermore, findings showed that with increasing degree of pneumatization, there was a decreasing risk of symptomatic barotrauma (P <.001). No barotrauma occurred in ears with a pneumatization greater than 34.7 cm(2). However, barotrauma occurred in all 3 ears with a pneumatization degree smaller than 13.6 cm(2). Conclusion: Our findings indicate an in-verse relationship between size of pneumatization and risk of symptomatic ME barotrauma in sport scuba divers

Poisoning from wild mushroom in the Trakya region: an analysis of seven years

Introduction: Mushroom poisoning is a medical emergency, diagnostic and treatment dilemma for physicians. Most cases present with self-limiting gastrointestinal symptoms. The regional profile of poisoning epidemiology in Turkey has previously been reported. However, information about mushrooms is still limited. The aim of this study was to identify the epidemiology of wild mushroom poisonings in the Trakya region in a 7-year period. Materials and methods:The study was designed retrospectively by examining the files of the patients who presented to the emergency department of Trakya University Faculty of Medicine from January 2002 to July 2008. Results: The overall male to female ratio was 0.88:1. All patients were intoxicated due to accidental pick up and consumption of wild mushrooms from open fields, woodlands and meadows. The most common findings on physical examination were epigastric pain. Fifty-six patients (74.7%) were discharged from the emergency department, 18 patients (24.0%) were hospitalized (one died on the 5th day), and one patient died in the emergency department. Conclusions: Care should be taken especially for patients presenting late. Patients may have hepatic dysfunction that needs haemodialysis or even liver transplantation. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2010;17:341-346