THE EFFECTS OF UNCONTROLLED EXTRACTIONS OF THE PERMANENT LOWER FIRST MOLARS ON THE PROGNOSIS OF SPONTANEOUS SPACE CLOSURE AND OCCLUSION

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of spontaneous space closure and occlusion in uncontrolled permanent lower first molar extractions in patients with different developmental stages. Materials and Methods: Fifty permanent lower first molar extractions were included in the study. Extractions were divided into two groups as appropriate-timing (Group 1- 6th or 7th stages of Nolla) and late-timing (Group 2- 8th or 9th stages of Nolla), according to the Nolla calcification stage of permanent second molar germs in the same quadrant. In the 24th month, based on clinical/radiological/photographic data, the success of spontaneous space closure, rotation degrees of adjacent teeth, and dental midline deviations were evaluated. Results: Successful spontaneous space closure was observed in 52% in Group 1, and no successful result was present in Group 2. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Rotation results of adjacent teeth were determined more frequently in Group 2, and the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.138, p=0.084, p=0.120). Dental midline deviations were statistically significantly higher in unilateral extractions compared to bilateral extractions (p=0.006). Conclusions: The timing of permanent lower first molar extractions for successful spontaneous space closure should be planned at the sixth or seventh development stage of the permanent lower second molar, according to Nolla’s classification. Since rotations in adjacent teeth occur regardless of extraction timing, cases should be followed-up and intervened if necessary. Besides, unilateral permanent first molar tooth extractions should be avoided as much as possible since they cause dental midline deviation

Behaviors and pandemic-related knowledge, perceptions, worry content, and public trust in a Turkish sample

Background: This study aimed to explore the effect of knowledge, COVID-19-related perceptions, and public trust on protective behaviors in Turkish people. Methods: Data were collected from an online survey (Turkish COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring) conducted between July 2020 and January 2021. The recommended protective behaviors (hand cleaning, wearing a face mask, and physical distancing) to prevent COVID-19 were examined. The impacts of the following variables on protective behaviors were investigated using logistic regression analysis: knowledge, cognitive and affective risk perception, pandemic-related worry content, public trust, conspiracy thinking, and COVID-19 vaccine willingness. Results: Out of a total of 4210 adult respondents, 13.8% reported nonadherence to protection behavior, and 86.2% reported full adherence. Males and young (aged 18–30 years) people tend to show less adherence. Perceived self-efficacy, susceptibility, and correct knowledge were positively related to more adherence to protective behavior. Perceptual and emotional factors explaining protective behavior were perceived proximity, stress level, and worrying about the relatives who depended on them. Trust in health professionals and vaccine willingness were positive predictors, while conspiracy thinking and acquiring less information (<2, daily) were negative predictors. Unexpectedly, trust in the Ministry of Health showed a weak but negative association with protection behavior. Conclusions: Perceived stress, altruistic worries, and public trust seem to shape protection behaviors in addition to individuals’ knowledge and cognitive risk perception in respondents. Males and young people may have a greater risk for nonadherence. Reliable, transparent, and culture-specific health communication that considers these issues is required

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and Its relationship with illness risk perceptions, affect, worry, and public trust: An online serial cross-sectional survey from Turkey

Objective: A better understanding of public attitudes towards vaccination and recognition of associated factors with vaccine hesitancy or refusal is important regarding the control of the pandemic. Our aim was to analyze the public's attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and to identify factors affecting them. Materials and Methods: Data were drawn from the Turkish COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring, between July-December 2020, a serial online cross-sectional survey. The sample comprised 3888 adult respondents. Attitudes to vaccines and trust were investigated in 3 periods corresponding to the timeline of pandemic-related events in Turkey. Results: In the third period of our study, in parallel with the increase in the spread of COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy/refusal increased significantly from 43.9% to 58.9% (P < .001). The significant predictors of vaccine refusal were female gender, being elder, and conspiracy thinking. Having a chronic illness, worrying more about loved ones and the health system being overloaded were significant predictors of vaccine willingness. Less compliance with preventive measures, less knowledge of prevention, reduced risk perception, and higher perception of media hype were COVID-19 variables that correlated with vaccine refusal. Trust in the Ministry of Health and medical professional organizations (e.g., Turkish Medical Association) was the lowest in the third period and vaccine refusal was significantly related to the decreased trust (P < .001, P = .002). Conclusion: Most respondents (approximately 60%) refused or hesitated to get a COVID-19 vaccine, though acceptability should be monitored when a vaccine becomes available. Health authorities should consider public trust, risk perception, and behavioral factors to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptability

ODTÜ kampüsü’nde sürdürülebilir su ve yağmursuyu yönetimi

As the environmental concerns increase, Sustainable/Green Campus applications with high level of environmental performance became widespread all over the world. Sustainable Campus practices include implementations regarding energy, waste, food, water, buildings and transportation. As a part of sustainable campus implementations, sustainable water management is an approach to plan, manage and use the water in the campus. In this context, METU is aware of the need to take actions for providing sustainable solutions for the campus. A comprehensive study funded by Middle East Technical University (METU) was initiated in 2014 to support METU’s initiatives to develop sustainable campus strategies. In this study, three main components were focused and these were water management, stormwater management and asset management in the context of sustainability for METU Campus. First, water resource of the campus was investigated by field work and evaluation of water withdrawal and water level data. Water consumption is analyzed especially at high demand locations such as dormitories, cafeteria and swimming pool. Evaluation of consumptions in dormitories was supported by the outcomes of a survey which aimed to understand the social behavior. In the second stage, a rainfall-runoff model in SWMM is developed both to understand stormwater collection and to evaluate potential benefits of Low Impact Development applications in the campus. Finally, the current situation of the water infrastructure system in the campus is investigated through an asset management approach. It is aimed that the outcomes of this study will aid decision makers in developing sustainable water management strategies for METU Campus.M.S. - Master of Scienc

Elective extractions of first permanent molars: a review

Permanent first molar teeth possess a key role in the setting-up of the occlusion, contribute significantly to the chewing function and serve as a guide for other teeth. However, it is frequently encountered that permanent first molar teeth are extracted due to the predicted negative prognoses of caries or developmental defects. As a result of the uncontrolled extraction of the permanent first molar teeth during the growth and development period, drifting of adjacent teeth, continued eruption of the opposing teeth and displacements can be seen. Furthermore, following one-sided extraction, midline deviations, oppositional tooth eruption, skeletal and dental asymmetry, unilateral chewing habits, and temporo-mandibular joint disorders may occur. To prevent these pathological conditions and to maintain the stability of the occlusal relation, it is necessary to do compensation and balancing extractions of the permanent first molar teeth on the opposite/symmetric arc, assuming mesial drag of the permanent second and third molar teeth. With such controlled-extractions, especially in Class I cases, orthodontic or prosthetic treatments, which may require extra time, cost and effort, could be prevented and a conceivable occlusion can be established

The Relationship between COVID-19 Protection Behaviors and Pandemic-Related Knowledge, Perceptions, Worry Content, and Public Trust in a Turkish Sample

Background: This study aimed to explore the effect of knowledge, COVID-19-related perceptions, and public trust on protective behaviors in Turkish people. Methods: Data were collected from an online survey (Turkish COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring) conducted between July 2020 and January 2021. The recommended protective behaviors (hand cleaning, wearing a face mask, and physical distancing) to prevent COVID-19 were examined. The impacts of the following variables on protective behaviors were investigated using logistic regression analysis: knowledge, cognitive and affective risk perception, pandemic-related worry content, public trust, conspiracy thinking, and COVID-19 vaccine willingness. Results: Out of a total of 4210 adult respondents, 13.8% reported nonadherence to protection behavior, and 86.2% reported full adherence. Males and young (aged 18&ndash;30 years) people tend to show less adherence. Perceived self-efficacy, susceptibility, and correct knowledge were positively related to more adherence to protective behavior. Perceptual and emotional factors explaining protective behavior were perceived proximity, stress level, and worrying about the relatives who depended on them. Trust in health professionals and vaccine willingness were positive predictors, while conspiracy thinking and acquiring less information (&lt;2, daily) were negative predictors. Unexpectedly, trust in the Ministry of Health showed a weak but negative association with protection behavior. Conclusions: Perceived stress, altruistic worries, and public trust seem to shape protection behaviors in addition to individuals&rsquo; knowledge and cognitive risk perception in respondents. Males and young people may have a greater risk for nonadherence. Reliable, transparent, and culture-specific health communication that considers these issues is required