Evaluation of Geriatric Patients Applying to the Emergency Department

INTRODUCTION: By increasing elderly population in the world and in Turkey, the number of elderly patients admission to emergency services is also increasing. In this study, it was aimed to determine the complaints during admission, common observed diseases, hospitalization rates and hospitalized services of the elderly patients over 65 years old who applied to the emergency service. METHODS: The patients aged 65 years and over who applied to Medical Faculty Hospital emergency department between 01.01.2015 and 31.12.2015 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients' gender, age, date and time of admission to the hospital, complaints about admission to the hospital, discharge of the patient after the medical treatment, referral to the hospital or intensive care unit, hospitalized departments and preliminary diagnosis were evaluated. RESULTS: 12,998 (10,1%) of the emergency department admissions were 65 years of age or older. 6571 of the patients were male (50,6%) and 6427 (49,4%) were female. The mean age was 73,72 +- 6,6 (65-111). The patients most frequently admitted to the hospital with headache (25,1%) and chest pain complaints (15,9%). 84,2% of the patients were treated as outpatient and discharged from the emergency service while, 15,4% of the patients were admitted to the hospital, 22 patients (0,2%) were referred to other centers for various reasons and 18 patients (0,1%) were exitus. 13 of the patients (0,1%) were left the hospital without accepting treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our study, the most common necessity of emergent interventions of geriatric patients who admitted to emergency service were, cardiac problems, respiratory system diseases and gastrointestinal diseases

The effects of milled Tribulus terrestris, Avena sativa, and white ginseng powder on total cholesterol, free testosterone levels and testicular tissue in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

This study examines the effects of milled Tribulus terrestris (TT), Avena sativa (AS), white ginseng (WG) and triple-combination (TC) powders on sexual dysfunction parameters - such as serum total cholesterol, free testosterone levels and histopathological changes in testicular tissue - in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. The study's animal matenal consisted of 42 male Wistar albino rats weighing 200-210 g divided into six groups. Group I was fed normal pellet feed, while the remaining groups were fed pellet feed containing 2% cholesterol. Group III, IV, V, and VI also received 0.6 g/kg/day of TT, 0.3 g/kg/day of AS, 0.2 g/kg/day of WG and 0.55 g/kg/day of TC (7.5% TT, 3.75% AS, 2.5% WG), respectively. After 90 days, the rats were sacrificed and blood and testicular tissue samples obtained. Serum total cholesterol and free testosterone levels were measured, and the Johnsen testicular biopsy score (JTBS) was calculated by a histopathological examination of testicular tissue samples. The high-cholesterol diet in Group II significantly caused increase in total cholesterol level and decrease in JTBS as compared to Group I. Although the groups' free testosterone levels were not statistically significant, WG and TC significantly prevented total cholesterol increase. TC significantly increased the JTBS compared to TT, AS and WG alone. Thus, it was concluded that TC might be particularly efficient for improving male sexual dysfunction

Using Geographic Information Systems and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to Determine Appropriate Locations for Rainwater Harvesting in Erbil Province, Iraq

Water scarcity is a prominent consequence of global climate change, presenting a significant challenge to the livelihoods of wide parts of the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This study focuses on Erbil Province in Iraq, where the dual effects of climate change and human activity have significantly depleted water resources in the past two decades. To address this challenge, rainwater harvesting (RWH) is explored as a viable solution. The purpose of this study is to make a suitability zone map that divides the study area into several classes based on the features of each area and its ability to collect rainwater. The map will then be used to find the best place to build different RWH structures. Seven different layers are used to make the RWH suitability zone map: rainfall, runoff, land use/cover (LU/LC), soil texture, slope, drainage density, and the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI). Each layer was assigned specific weights through the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), considering its relevance to RWH. Results revealed four suitability classes: very highly suitable 1583.25 km2 (10.67%), highly suitable 4968.55 km2 (33.49%), moderately suitable 5295.65 km2 (35.69%), and lowly suitable 2989.66 km2 (20.15%). Notably, the suitability map highlights the northern and central regions as particularly suitable for RWH. Furthermore, the study suggested three suitable locations for constructing medium dams, six for check dams, and twenty-seven for farm ponds, according to the requirements of each type. These findings provide valuable insights for the strategic planning and effective management of water resources in the study area, offering potential solutions to the pressing challenges of water scarcit

Clinical features of winter sports injuries: A prospective single center study

Introduction: This study aimed to present the epidemiological and clinical effects of skiing training and use of protective equipment on skiing, sledding and snowboarding injuries. Methods: The patients were evaluated in two groups according to both their skiing experience and use of protective equipment. The characteristics of the patients, such as age, gender, injury area, and injury type were statistically evaluated according to the groups. Results: A total of 191 patients, 68 (35.6%) female and 123 (64.4%) male, were evaluated. There was a significant difference between the patients with and without skiing experience (P=0.001). When the patients were evaluated according to the presence of protective equipment, 25 (59.5%) patients who had no experience did not wear protective equipment, and this rate was statistically significant compared to the experienced group (P=0.001). Concerning the diagnoses of the patients according to injury areas, joint dislocation and soft tissue trauma were mostly detected in the upper extremities, bone fractures in the lower extremities and organ injury in the thorax. Conclusion: Shoulder and wrist traumas were the most common injuries among the patients with previous skiing experience while tibial fractures were mostly seen in those without such experience. Tibia fractures were mostly observed in the patients using protective equipment, and skin incisions in those that did not use protective equipment. Therefore, in winter sports injuries, patients’ skiing experience and protective equipment use should be questioned and more attention should be paid to the above-mentioned injuries

Urban Expansion Trends, Prediction and Its Impact on Agricultural Lands in Erbil Using GIS and Remote Sensing

The surrounding agricultural lands in the city have been decreasing daily due to the expansion of urbanisation above it and the increase in the urbanisation rate in the study area, as the population growth exerted increasing pressures on the city. Furthermore, the increase in population increases the demand for land for housing and other human services, which will impact agricultural lands. In addition, the lack of proper planning in the city contributes to expanding urbanisation at the expense of agricultural land. This study aims to study the urban expansion in the direction of agricultural lands in Erbil from the year 2000 until 2020, reveal the reasons for the urban expansion in the city and put an end to the trespassers on the lands and it has negative impact on the lack of agricultural areas and the encroachment of urbanisation on it. Landsat TM 5 and Landsat 8 OLI will be used to identify and develop urban growth and its impacts on agriculture and some Remote sensing Data and GIS from 2000 to 2020 with 10 years difference to find the changes in these years and also provide a predicted map for Erbil governorate. The study recommended the necessity of preparing a strategic plan for the use of agricultural lands that regulates the urban development process of the population centres and achieves the appropriate and sustainable use of agricultural lands and their preservation. Encouraging the investment of lands and cultivation of crops to meet the population's need for vegetables and other crops. The findings of this study will help decision-makers develop future urbanisation policies, and it is worthwhile to investigate them further. The prediction model will demonstrate whether built-up areas will continue to grow or not and whether the average agricultural areas will continue to shrink based on regression analysis. Planning effective urban environmental management can benefit from this type of forecast of the LULC picture in the future

The Relationship Between Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Blood Group

INTRODUCTION: Our aim in this study is to investigate the relationship between Helicobacter Pylori (HP) and blood group and other risk factors. METHODS: 373 patients who underwent gastrointestinal system (GIS) endoscopy and gastric tissue biopsies were taken into the study between March-2017 and June-2018. Demographic data, risk factors, endoscopic appearance and histopathological data of all patients were documented. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of HP. Patients were divided into two groups as HP-positive and HP-negative according to the presence of HP. The groups were compared in terms of blood group and risk factors. RESULTS: 190 (50.9%) of the cases included in the study were women and the mean age of all patients was 45.1 +- 14.9 (range: 18-86) years. HP was positive in 53.8% of cases included in the study. HP positive patients were seen to be younger (p <0.05). In addition, while there was a significant relationship between HP positivity and working status, poor hand hygiene, smoking and alcohol use (p <0.05), no significant relationship was found with the blood group (p> 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result, in this study, soso-demographic factors such as age, working status, hand hygiene, smoking and alcohol use were found to be a risk factor for HP positivity, while no significant relationship was observed between ABO blood groups and HP

Increased P-wave dispersion in patients with newly diagnosed lichen planus

OBJECTIVE: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune mucocutaneous disease. Recent research has emphasized the strong association between inflammation and both P-wave dispersion and dyslipidemia. The difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave durations on an electrocardiogram is defined as P-wave dispersion. The prolongation of P-wave dispersion has been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for developing atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to investigate P-wave dispersion in patients with lichen planus. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with lichen planus and 37 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. We obtained electrocardiographic recordings from all participants and used them to calculate the P-wave variables. We also assessed the levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which is an inflammatory marker, and the lipid levels for each group. The results were reported as the means ± standard deviations and percentages. RESULTS: The P-wave dispersion was significantly higher in lichen planus patients than in the control group. Additionally, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in lichen planus patients compared to the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein and P-wave dispersion (r = 0.549,

Digital Mapping and Determination of Biogas Energy Potential of Usable Animal Manure and Cereal Straw Wastes in Turkey

Türkiye'nin gelecek yıllar için oluşturulmuş enerji üretim ve tüketim senaryolarına göre, önümüzdeki on yıla kadar hem üretim hem de tüketim miktarlarında hızlı bir artış beklenmektedir. Kullandığı enerjinin 3/4'lük bölümünü ithal eden Türkiye'nin, temel enerji kaynaklarını ise linyit, hidroelektrik ve biyokütle enerjileri oluşturmaktadır. Biyokütle, ekonomik ihtiyaçlara cevap verebilen, çevre dostu, yenilenebilir ve yerel bir enerji kaynağıdır. Biyokütle kaynaklardan biyogaz üretimi, doğrudan yakma dışında en basit ve en etkili değerlendirme yöntemidir. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye istatistik Kurumu (TUİK) 2014 yılı verilerine göre, Türkiye'nin tarım bölgeleri bazında toplam kullanılabilir hayvansal gübre ve tahıl sap atıklarından elde edilebilecek biyogaz ve enerji potansiyel değerleri belirlenerek haritalandırılmıştır. Türkiye'nin biyogaz amaçlı, hayvansal gübrelerden elde edilebilir uçucu kuru madde miktarı 33.210,844 milyar ton/yıl, tahıl sap atıklarından elde edilebilir uçucu kuru madde miktarı ise 7,169 milyar ton/yıl'dır. Bu atıklardan (hayvansal gübreler+tahıl sapları) elde edilebilecek toplam biyogaz enerji potansiyeli yaklaşık 331,860 PJ/yıl'dır. Bu enerjinin (PJ/yıl) tarım bölgelerine göre dağılımı; 55 sınıfında Marmara Bölgesi olmak üzere beş sınıfta değerlendirilmiştir. Biyogaz ve enerji potansiyelinin belirlenmesine ilişkin oluşturulan sayısal haritalar, Enerji ve Tabii Kaynaklar Bakanlığı ile Gıda Tarım ve Hayvancılık Bakanlığının planlamalarında kullanılabilir niteliktedir.According to energy production and consumption scenarios for Turkey, until the next decade a rapid increase both in amount of production and consumption is expected. The main energy sources of Turkey, % of which the total energy consumption is imported, are lignite, hydroelectric and biomass energy. Biomass, which is responsive to the economic needs is environmentally, friendly, renewable and local energy source. The biogas obtained from biomass sources is the simplest and most effective assessment method except for direct combustion. In this study, the amount of total available animal manure and cereal straw wastes/residues and biogas and energy potentials using data from TUIK 201 on the basis agricultural regions of Turkey has been mapped. Turkey's annual total available animal manure amount are 33 210.844 billion tons of dry volatile solid and the amount of cereal straw wastes are 7.169 billion tons of dry volatile solid. Therefore, the total biogas energy potential that can be derived from these wastes (Animal Manure and Cereal Straw Wastes) approximately is 331.86 PJ / year. The distribution of this energy based on agricultural regions (PJ/year), has been evaluated as follows: Eastern Black Sea region the Marmara region is located. The digital maps for biogas and energy potential can be utilized by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock

Specific and non-spesicific dermatoses of pregnancy in the emergency department

Dermatological changes both specific to pregnancy and nonspecific to it may be observed during gestation. In this study, specific and nonspecific dermatoses of pregnancy were investigated in patients admitted with dermatologic complaints to the emergency department. This information will be useful in identifying common and important dermatoses of pregnancy that need to be recognized at the point of primary care, so that the proper initial treatment and referrals can be instituted. Pregnant patients admitted with dermatological complaints to the emergency service were enrolled in the study. We retrospectively collected clinical and laboratory findings, diagnoses, administered treatments and admission rates. Of the 4,280 pregnant patients admitted to the emergency service, 99 pregnant patients had dermatological complaints. While pregnancy-specific dermatoses were detected in 22 % of the patients, dermatoses nonspecific to the pregnancy were found in 78 % of them. Listed in descending order, specific dermatoses of pregnancy were atopic eruption of pregnancy (12%), polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (6%), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (2%), and pemphigoid gestationis (2%). Urticaria and angioedema were the most frequently diagnosed diseases among the dermatoses nonspecific to the pregnancy. There are many dermatoses are seen in the pregnancy, while urticaria and angioedema are the most common. Atopic eruption of pregnancy and the polymorphic eruption of pregnancy are the most common specific dermatoses. It was seen that the frequency of dermatological causes was quite low among the pregnant patients applying to the emergency service. However, some of these dermatoses may necessitate early diagnosis and immediate treatment

Determination of Performance of No-Till Seeder and Stubble Cutting Prototype

One of the most common problems in maize production is the management of plant residues. Small agricultural enterprises, which cannot allocate capital for acquiring stalk cutting machines for their operation, face many technical problems in preparing the sowing bed for the products that will be planted after maize. Stalks of maize that cannot be shredded adequately and on time cause machinery to clog, prevent the preparation of a proper sowing bed, increase fuel consumption and increase costs. The aim of this study is to compare the no-till sowing machine prototype and stalk cutting machine prototype with the classical stalk cutter in terms of some management values. The prototype stubble cutting machine used in the study was manufactured with a cylindrical structure and equipped with 24 cutting blades 1 cm thick and 8 cm wide. İn addition, the prototype stubble cutting machine used in the study was manufactured with a cylindrical structure and equipped with 24 cutting blades 1 cm thick and 8 cm wide. İn addition, the no-till seeder prototype was manufactured as a bucket-type seed hopper equipped with granular fertilizer capable of sowing four rows. It was concluded that the stubble cutting machine prototypes resulted in less fuel consumption with lower penetration resistance when compared with the classical stalk shredder