The Prognostic Value of the Systemic Immune-inflammation Index in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients and Its Correlation with Syntax II Score and TIMI Risk Score

Background and Aim:The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been identified as a novel prognostic marker in various illnesses. We investigated the relationship between SII and mortality in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). In addition, we planned to examine how SII correlated with SYNTAX II and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk scores in this population.Materials and Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent pPCI. The endpoint was 1 year all-cause mortality. SII [(neutrophil x platelet)/lymphocyte] was calculated from admission blood samples. Besides clinical and laboratory findings, SII, Syntax II and TIMI risk scores were compared between survivors and non-survivors. The correlation between SII and Syntax II and TIMI risk scores was also evaluated.Results:The study included 334 patients (82.3% male). In the 1 year follow-up, 18 patients (5.4%) died. The SII, Syntax II, and TIMI risk scores were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors [mean (standard deviation: SD), 2423 (2005) vs 1686 (998), P = 0.005; median (interquartile range) 43 (35-53) vs 30 (25-37), P < 0.001; and 4 (2-5) vs 2 (1-3), P = 0.005, respectively]. Furthermore, the Syntax II score, TIMI risk score, and SII was independent predictors of 1 year all-cause mortality. SII showed a significant correlation with Syntax II and TIMI risk scores (R2 = 0.28, P = 0.001 and R2 = 0.37, P < 0.001, respectively).Conclusion:SII might provide additional prognostic data alongside Syntax II and TIMI risk scores in patients undergoing pPCI

Harcama Tabanlı Pazar Bölümlendirme: Festival Ziyaretçileri Üzerine Bir Logit Analizi Uygulaması

Festivaller ya da diğer adıyla şenlikler, Halkla İlişkiler için önemli iletişim araçlarıdır. Festival düzenleyen kurumlar bu etkinlikleri, hedef kitlelerinin ilgisini belirli bir yöne ?çekmek amacıyla tercih eder ve kullanır. Bir festivale katılan ziyaretçilerin sosyo-demografik ve davranışsal özellikleri ile harcama düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki, festivali düzenleyen kurumlara, hedefledikleri ziyaretçiler hakkında oldukça yararlı ipuçları verebilir. Bu çalışmada kurumsal bir festival olan "Çukurova Üniversitesi Bahar Şenliği"ne katılan 999 ziyaretçinin sosyo-demografik ve davranışsal özellikleri ile harcama düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki Logit model kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonuçları, harcama düzeyi ile katılımcıların sosyo-demografik ve davranışsal özellikleri arasında önemli düzeyde bir ilişki olduğunu, dikkat çekici bir şekilde, göstermektedir.Festivals are important tools for Public Relations. Institutions and corporations which organize festivals prefer and use these events for their target markets to direct their attention where they want. The relation between socio-demographics, and behavioral characteristics and expenditure level of visitors who joined in a festival may give institutions or corporations useful cues about their target visitors. In this empirical study, the relation between socio-demographics, and behavioral characteristics and expenditure level of visitors who joined in Çukurova University Spring Festival is analyzed. Study results show that there is a strong relation between socio-demographics, and behavioral characteristics and expenditure level of visitors

The impact of festivals on city promotion: A comparative study of Turkish and Swedish festivals

Tourism literature suggests that cities as corporate brands which can be promoted in the market and communicated to stakeholders. City tourism managers use tourism products such as festivals or other special events to promote their city as a corporate brand. This paper examines how festivals, in particular, affect the promotion and communication of a city in different market levels. A survey instrument was used to gather data from festival managers in İzmir, Turkey, in April 2009; and Göteborg, Sweden, in April 2009. The main findings indicate that managers perceive their festivals as creating community cohesiveness and strong communication among the current residents. However, they view the impact of the festivals on the promotion of the city within its country or in the international tourism market as limited. This study ultimately suggests that the festivals of İzmir are less efficient in promoting the city and that Göteborg festivals work to promote the city in Sweden and in the larger regions of Scandinavia

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacterial agent of the skin flora of patients with seborrheic dermatitis

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that affects 1-3% of the general population. The Malassezia species has been implicated as the main causative agent; however, the bacterial flora of the skin may also play role in the etiopathogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the most common bacterial agent of the skin flora of patients with seborrheic dermatitis. Materials and methods: Fifty-one patients with seborrheic dermatitis and 50 healthy individuals are included in this study. Sterile cotton swabs were rubbed on the scalp of the participants for bacterial culture. Colonial morphology was identified with gram stain and catalase test. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 25 (49%) patients with seborrheic dermatitis and 10 (20%) healthy individuals within the control group. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated from 24 (47.1%) patients with seborrheic dermatitis and 17 (34%) healthy individuals within the control group. Diphtheroids were present in 2 (3.9%) patients and 1 (2%) subject within the control group. Gram-negative bacilli were present only in 1 (2%) patient. Hemolytic streptococci and bacilli were identified in 1 (2%) subject from each group. Colonization of coagulase-negative staphylococci, diphtheroids, gram-negative bacilli, hemolytic streptococci, and bacillus did not differ between patients and healthy controls. However, S. aureus colonization was significantly more common in patients with seborrheic dermatitis than in healthy controls. Conclusion: Within this study we revealed that S. aureus colonization was significantly higher among the patients. Therefore, we propose that, in addition to the Malassezia species, S. aureus may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis

Bir Olgu Sunumu Eşliğinde Travma Bölgesinde Görülebilen Harris Çizgileri

Direk grafilerde; transvers radyoopak çizgiler hakkında ilk çalışmalar Dr. Harris tarafından 1931 yılında yapılmış ve bu çizgiler “Harris çizgileri” olarak adlandırılmıştır. Çalışmamızda, çekilen radyografilerde travma ile uyumlu transvers radyoopak çizgilerin değerlendirilmesinde dikkat edilmesi gereken durumların tartışılması amaçlanmıştır. Motosiklet kazası sonucu hastanemize getirilen 28 yaşındaki erkek olgunun yapılan muayenesinde; sol bacakta abrazyon alanı tarif edilmiştir. Çekilen sol bacak direkt grafilerinin tarafımızca yapılan incelemesinde, yaralanma ile uyumlu olarak tibiada lineer transvers radyoopak görünüm izlenmiş ve bu görünümün travma ile ilişkisinin olup olmadığı hakkında Radyoloji Anabilim Dalından görüş alınmıştır. Bu görünümün Harris çizgileri olduğunun belirtilmesi üzerine düzenlenen adli raporumuzda, şahsın vücudunda travma sonucu oluşmuş kemik kırığı tespit edilmediği belirtilmiştir. Travmaya uğrayan bölgede çekilen radyografilerde, travma bölgesi ile uyumlu alan üzerinde olgumuzda olduğu gibi değerlendirmede zorluğa neden olabilecek transvers radyoopak çizgilerle karşılaşılabilir. Böyle bir durumda, ayırıcı tanıda bu görünümün, Harris çizgileri olabileceği de düşünülmeli ve radyolojik değerlendirme mutlaka istenmelidir.

Renal artery stenosis and mean platelet volume

Objective: Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) has been reported in various atherosclerotic diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) and various hematological parameters including MPV. Methods: This study was performed with a retrospective review of the angiographic images of patients who underwent renal angiography at Bülent Ecevit University catheter laboratory between January 2004 and December 2009. The patients were trichotomized into three groups based on the presence and severity of renal artery stenosis (RAS). Group 1 included patients with a critical RAS (33 patients; 18 female (F), 15 male (M); mean age 61.6±11.5 years), group 2 consisted of patients with non-critical RAS (26 patients; 15 F, 11 M; mean age 58.1±11.3 years), and group 3 was composed of patients without RAS (69 patients; 38 F, 31 M; mean age 53.5±11.9 years). Demographic data, complete blood count, and biochemical parameters were compared between the groups. Results: Comparison of the hematological parameters revealed that MPV and platelet distribution width were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 and 3 (8.96±0.99 fL versus 8.35±0.76 fL, 8.31±0.79 fL, respectively; p=0.001; 16.53±0.58% versus 16.19±0.56%, 16.29±0.53%, respectively; p=0.04). Conclusion: MPV levels are higher in patients with ARAS. Considering both the effect of platelets on atherosclerosis and their close association with other risk factors, MPV level may be an important factor in pathogenesis of ARAS. © 2016 by Turkish Society of Cardiology