Investigation of Malaria, Leishmaniasis, and Scabies Risk after Earthquakes and Recommendations for Prevention

This study examines the risk of malaria, leishmaniasis, and scabies following earthquakes in southeastern Türkiye. The focus is on the impact on the local population and Syrian immigrants. Recommendations for prevention include vector control measures such as indoor residual spraying and distribution of insecticidal nets. Surveillance and early detection through rapid diagnostic tests and active case finding are important. Public awareness campaigns and community engagement are crucial for promoting protective measures. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, providing essential supplies, and capacity building is essential. For leishmaniasis, early detection and treatment, vector control, health education, and community engagement are vital. Scabies outbreaks affect the socioeconomically depressed local population and Syrian immigrants. Early detection, treatment, contact tracing, health education, hygiene promotion, and improved living conditions are necessary. Implementing these interventions and strategies can effectively prevent, control, and manage these diseases. Tailoring approaches to the specific context and needs of affected communities is crucial. By addressing these challenges, we can protect the health and well-being of the affected population

Otolaryngology consultations requested by palliative care services: a five-year analysis

Introduction: Otolaryngologists are required to possess the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to manage consultations requested by palliative care services. However, the inclusion of palliative care needs in otolaryngology residency training is limited. The goal of this study was to enhance awareness of otolaryngologists' palliative care knowledge and skills by evaluating otolaryngology consultations requested by tertiary palliative care services between 2016 and 2021. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients who consulted the otolaryngology department from the palliative care service of Kutahya Health Sciences University between January 1, 2016 and September 31, 2021. A total of 80 otolaryngology consultations were requested between 2016 and 2021. Patients were evaluated for age, gender, diagnosis of palliative admission, reason for consultation, date of consultation, interventions, and additional investigations. Results: There were 27 female patients (33.7%) and 53 male patients (66.2%). The mean age was 65.0 (range: 22-97) years. It was found that the volume of consultations did not increase significantly over a five-year period (p=0.502) and 78.8 % of consultations were requested during working hours (08:00-16:00). In addition, the response time (minutes) for consultations during working hours (08:00-16:00) was significantly lower than outside working hours (16:01-07:59) (p lt;0.001). The reasons for requesting a consultation and the procedures performed were significantly different between patients under and over 65 years of age (p=0.019 and p=0.008, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate otolaryngology consultations requested by a tertiary palliative care service. Awareness of these consultations may provide guidance for the assessment and management of patients in palliative care services. Keywords: consultation, otolaryngology, tracheotomy, palliative car

Outcomes of patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer with intestinal metastasis

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of advanced stage (stage IIIB-IVB) ovarian cancer (OC) patients with intestinal metastasis, and to investigate the factors that affect survival. Material and methods: Patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CS) for FIGO stage IIIB-IVB OC with metastasis in the intestinal system, at Tepecik Research and Treatment Hospital between 2008–2014, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with borderline ovarian tumor; those who had previously undergone radiation therapy and/or hysterectomy and patients having secondary or tertiary cytoreduction were excluded and 49 patients were included and analyzed in this study. Hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node sampling, resection of bulky lymph nodes and omentectomy were performed. Optimal cytoreduction was accepted as that which left residual tumor ≤ one cm maximum size. Results: The risk factors affecting OS interval were investigated according to Cox’ regression analysis. Optimality of the primary CS (P = 0.008 and HR = 5.202) and cancer stage (P = 0.016 and HR = 6.083) were found to be statistically significant factors. Conclusions: Achieving optimal CS is the most important aim for the general surgeon carrying out an intestinal resection procedure. Although resection procedures are superior in providing the desired optimal results when compared to excision surgery, their higher complication rates and subsequent lower quality of life must be taken into consideration when choosing either resection or excision methods; surgical intervention should always be kept to the minimum possible

Regional Specialization Pattern of Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS) in Turkey

Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS) are perceived as important drives of economic development and innovation. In general, KIBS are one of the most important activities of regional and national scale development in terms of economic power, knowledge production and knowledge transfer and therefore, geographical density of KIBS are expected to be a critical factor for regions. The paper seeks to introduce the concept of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and to analyze the role of KIBS in regional development, especially from the viewpoint of regional specialization. For this purpose, detailed sector data have been used. Knowledge-intensive business services are subordinate to producer services and are defined in 10 sub-sectors. These 10 sub-sectors have been analyzed for 26 NUTS-2 regions of Turkey, based on the number of workplace and employment, and giro data of the years of 2009 and 2015 received from Turkey Statistics Institution. The location quotient (LQ) technique has been used in the analysis. The results show that all KIBS sectors, except the telecommunication sector, have been specialized in metropolitan cities. Explaining the regional specialization pattern of the KIBS is very important for offering guidance to regional plans and policy makers

The Effect of Tranexamic Acid and Tourniquet Use on Tibial Cement Penetration in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasties

Background: In this study, our aim was to compare the effects of tourniquet and tranexamic acid (TXA) use on tibial cement penetration in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using radiograph images. In addition, we also aimed at investigating the effects of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and bone mineral density on cement penetration. Methods: One hundred seventy patients who underwent TKA for primary osteoarthritis were retrospectively evaluated. TXA was administered to patients in group 1 (n = 96), and tourniquet application was used in patients in group 2 (n = 74). Tibial cement penetration was evaluated radiologically on a total of 4 zones: 2 anteroposterior and 2 lateral zones. In addition, age, gender, BMI, and bone mineral density were recorded in each group. Results: The mean cement penetration in the total study population was 2.34 ± 0.24 mm, with a mean of 2.33 ± 0.25 mm in the TXA group and a mean of 2.35 ± 0.24 mm in the tourniquet group (P = .453). A negative correlation was detected between BMI and anteroposterior 1 values in the total and TXA groups (P = .022 and P = .029). In the evaluation of the differences between genders, significantly higher penetration values were observed only in the females in the tourniquet group (P = .024). Conclusions: The use of TXA instead of a tourniquet does not reduce the depth of cement penetration in TKA. The clinical implications of individual-induced penetration differences may be significant for future implant survival. © 2020 The Author

Protective Effects of Beta Glucan and Gliclazide on Brain Tissue and Sciatic Nerve of Diabetic Rats Induced by Streptozosin

There have not been yet enough studies about effects of beta glucan and gliclazide on oxidative stress created by streptozotocin in the brain and sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. The aim of this paper was to investigate the antioxidant effects of gliclazide and beta glucan on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation created by streptozotosin in brain and sciatic nerve. Total of 42 rats were divided into 6 groups including control, diabetic untreated (DM) (only STZ, diabetic), STZ (DM) + beta glucan, STZ (DM) + gliclazide, only beta glucan treated (no diabetic), and only gliclazide treated (no diabetic). The brain and sciatic nerve tissue samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and paraoxonase (PON-1) levels. We found a significant increase in MDA, TOS, and OSI along with a reduction in TAS level, catalase, and PON-1 activities in brain and sciatic nerve of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Also, this study shows that in terms of these parameters both gliclazide and beta glucan have a neuroprotective effect on the brain and sciatic nerve of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Our conclusion was that gliclazide and beta glucan have antioxidant effects on the brain and sciatic nerve of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

Isolated pulmonary metastases in patients with cervical cancer and the factors affecting survival after recurrence

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the treatment options and survival of uterine cervical cancer (UCC) patients who develop isolated pulmonary metastases (IPM) and to establish risk factors for IPM.Material and Methods: Data from patients diagnosed with UCC between June 1991 and January 2017 at the Gynecological Oncology Department, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, were investigated. In total, 43 cases with IPM were evaluated retrospectively. Additionally, 172 control patients diagnosed with UCC without recurrence were matched according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage when the tumor was diagnosed. They wereselected using a dependent random sampling method.Results: Of the 890 patients with UCC, 43 (4.8%) had IPM. The presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) anda mid-corpuscular volume (MCV) < 80 fL were statistically significant prognostic factors for IPM development in UCC patientsaccording to univariate regression analyses, and the presence of LVSI, a hemoglobin level < 12 g/dL, and an MCV < 80 fLwere statistically significant according to the multivariate regression analyses. We were unable to assess the role of lymph node status (involvement or reactive) as a prognostic factor in the development of IPM, because only seven patients (16.2%) in the case group underwent lymph node dissection.Conclusions: IPM typically develops within the first 3 years after the diagnosis of UCC, and survival is generally poor. AnMCV < 80 fL and the presence of LVSI are significant risk factors for IPM development