Evaluation of the knowledge level and usage attitudes of the medical students on the medicinal herbs and herbal products: a project of special study module in the first three years of the school of medicine

Background: In this survey, it was aimed to determine the types of medicinal herbs and herbal products, reasons of use and consciousness levels among the medical students in the first three years of the School of Medicine.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire consisting of 50 questions was applied to all the students in the first three years of Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine between September 1, 2016 and June 1, 2017.Results: The results of 571 participating students were evaluated. Of these students, 301 (52.7%) were females and 270 (47.3%) were males. It was found that 73.4% (n=419) of the students used these products for treatment and mostly consumed linden, sage tea, mint and rosehip. Also, 11.6% of the students had chronic diseases (n=66). It was determined that 69.7% (n=46) of these students having chronic diseases used medicinal herbs and herbal products. Only 12.0% of the students had an opinion about the legal regulations regarding the use of herbs and herbal products in Turkey, while 39.7% of them had no idea, and 48.3% stated that such regulations on this matter were unreasonable. However, 59.7% of the respondents stated that legal regulations were necessary. It was found that the participating students used herbs and herbal products generally for therapeutic purposes without having sufficient knowledge about medicinal herbs; therefore it was necessary to increase their level of consciousness.Conclusions: Medical students neither have adequate medical information about medicinal herbs and herbal products, nor about the regulations on these products. It is crucial to revise the courses in the medical education so that the students would get informed about the regulations as well as potential risks of herbal plants while still in the medical schools

Nasal Profile Changes With Le Fort I Maxillary Advancement Surgery

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to quantify anteroposterior facial soft tissue changes with respect to underlying skeletal movements after Le Fort I maxillary advancement surgery by using lateral cephalograms taken before and after the operation

Acute hepatitis associated with Thymus Vulgaris oil ingestion: Case report

Many plants traditionally used in folkloric medicine can cause poisoning. Typically known as "thyme", "Thymus Vulgaris" continues to be one of the most commonly used folkloric herbs in Turkey. Here, we report a case of toxic hepatitis due to the ingestion of concentrated thyme oil. The patient was reported to have ingested a total of 25 ml of thyme oil which was routinely sold in the local market. The total dose was taken in two consecutive days in different amount. The patient then developed nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and he was subsequently admitted to the emergency unit, with high transaminase levels. He was placed on observation unit for two days. His elevated aminotransferase levels and symptoms gradually decreased during the observation period. Thyme, which is known to be a nonpoisonous plant, is one of the most commonly used herbs; however, plants similar to thyme are not necessarily as harmless as they seem to be

A rare side effect of metformin: Metformin-induced hepatotoxicity

WOS: 000254615700010Metformin is an oral hypoglycemic agent that is commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. While metformin-associated metabolic acidosis is a widely recognized side effect of this drug, metformin-induced hepatotoxicity has been rarely reported in the literature. We present herein the case of a 52-year-old male in whom metformin-associated lactic acidosis and metformin-induced hepatotoxicity developed

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Theophylline Exposures between 1993 and 2011

BACKGROUND: Acute and chronic exposure to theophylline can cause serious signs and symptoms of poisoning. Additionally, with a narrow therapeutic range, toxicity could be observed even with therapeutic doses of theophylline. Epidemiological data on theophylline exposures in our country are extremely limited. The results of our study may improve the clinical management of theophylline poisoning in our country and elsewhere. AIMS: To present aetiological and demographic features, clinical findings and treatment attempts with regard to theophylline exposures reported to Dokuz Eylül University Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), between 1993 and 2011. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. METHODS: The data regarding demographics, date, time, type of exposure, route of and reason for exposure, signs and symptoms upon admission, clinical management and outcome were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The DPIC recorded 88,562 poisoning calls between 1993 and 2011; 354 (0.4%) of them were due to theophylline exposure. The mean age of all cases was 24.1±15.4 (range between 1 month and 90 years). Females dominated all age groups (72.6%, 257 females). Intentional exposure was significantly higher in women than in men (88.2% vs. 68.2% for all age groups; p<0.001 for children; p<0.001 for adults; p<0.001 for all age groups). While 60.5% of the cases had no symptoms, severe signs of toxicity were present in 1.9% of theophylline exposure cases during the telephone inquiry. Signs and symptoms were found to be significantly more prevalent in adults than in children (p<0.01). The serum theophylline level was regarded as toxic in 74% (65 toxic levels) of theophylline measured cases. Clinical signs and symptoms were found to be significantly prevalent in cases with toxic theophylline levels (p<0.001). The rate of gastrointestinal decontamination procedures was higher than that of recommended gastrointestinal decontamination procedures by DPIC (83% and 66%, respectively). There were two fatalities (4.6%) associated with chronic theophylline toxicity and theophylline overdose in an acute setting for suicide (a 90 year-old and 25 year-old, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although most of the theophylline exposure cases had no symptoms, some reported serious signs and symptoms of poisoning such as hypokalaemia, tachycardia and hyperglycaemia. DPICs have an important role in the management of theophylline exposure without unnecessary gastrointestinal decontamination procedures

Body Fat Composition and Weight Changes After Double-Jaw Osteotomy

Nutritional problems might be observed after surgical procedures. In this study, body weight and fat composition changes have been investigated in dentofacial deformity patients after the double-jaw osteotomy procedure