Cihad Dündar

Emergency service use by older people in Samsun, Turkey

During the first 50 years of the 21st century, the world population aged 65 and older is expected to triple. Proper care of the older patient is one of the major priorities of many health care systems. In this descriptive study, patients treated and transported by 112 Emergency Help and Rescue Service in Samsun Province during the year 2004 were surveyed through review of command center records. All patients who were 65 years of age and older were included in the study. Collected data included patient sex and age, number of patients accessing emergency medical service (EMS) per hours of the day and per season, clinical diagnosis, and patient outcomes. In all, 2210 patients aged 65 years and older were identified; this group accounted for 24.5% of all records reviewed (n=9015). The rate of EMS use was highest in those older than 65 years of age (26 of 1000/y). Similar associations of ambulance transportation with older age and off-hour presentation were noted, as was increased usage during colder months of the year. Cardiovascular, neurologic, and respiratory problems were the 3 most frequent reasons for use of EMS. In almost three fourths of cases, outcome was recorded as transport to the hospital. Data presented here highlight the need for continued monitoring of EMS usage patterns so that planners will be prepared to accommodate the needs of the increasingly aging population.

Prevalence of Childhood Physical Abuse in a Representative Sample of College Students in Samsun, Turkey

The main objective of this article is to obtain the prevalence of childhood physical abuse experiences in college students.This cross-sectional study was performed on a gender-stratified random sample of 988 participants studying at Ondokuz Mayis University, with self-reported anonymous questionnaires. It included questions on physical abuse in childhood, on whom and why the violence was inflicted, and on the reactions exhibited. Of the 988 participants, 527 (53.3%) had a history of childhood physical abuse (64.0% in men and 41.6% in women). The prevalence of being subject to physical violence was 1.5 times higher in men. Mothers more frequently inflicted violence on daughters and fathers on sons. According to participants, most frequent reasons for physical violence were “loss of perpetrator’s self-control” and “establishment of discipline at home.” The most frequent statement observed among the participants was humiliation after subjection to physical violence. It is concluded that the first (and the most) important preventive measure is to protect and strengthen the social, economic, and judicial status of the Turkish family. Second, it should by all means be prevented that violence remains legal in some social conditions like child abuse.

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in child victims of sexual abuse: perceived social support as a protection factor

Abstract Background Social support has been shown to play a protective role against the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in individuals exposed to trauma. Aims The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of perceived social support on depression and PTSD in child victims of sexual abuse and to determine the relationship between them. Method In total 182 victims of sexual abuse aged 6–18 at time of interview were assessed. Clinical interviews, the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI) were used to assess children’s psychological status, while the Perceived Social Support Scale-Revised (PSSS-R) was used to measure social support. Results Girls had significantly higher median CDI and CPTS-RI scores than boys, while no significant difference was determined between boys and girls in terms of PSSS-R scores. A statistically significant negative correlation was determined between CDI and PSSS-R scores, CPTS-RI scores and PSSS-R scores in girls, while no significant correlation was identified in male victims. Conclusions In conclusion, we think that social support networks for victims of sexual abuse need to be broadened and increased, and that importance should be attached to protective approaches in that context.

Expression of Glypican 3 in low and high grade urothelial carcinomas

BackgroundGlypican-3 (GPC3) is an oncofetal protein which is encoded by GPC3 gene and takes role in the regulation of cell division and apoptosis. Overexpression of GPC3 has been reported in some types of cancer such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs and testicular germ cell tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of GPC3 in the non-neoplastic urothelium and in urothelial carcinoma (UC). We also aimed to explore the alterations in the GPC3 expression according to the grade and the invasiveness of UC.MethodsGPC3 expression was studied in 108 UC cases by using immunohistochemistry. Each section was evaluated in terms of the extensiveness and intensity of GPC3 staining. Scores of immunostaining were correlated with tumor grade and stage.ResultsGPC3 expression was observed in 38 cases (35.2%). GPC3 expression was positive in 43.6% of high and in 13.3% of low grade UC (p: 0.003). In 19 UC cases biopsy also harbored non-neoplastic urothelium which showed no staining for GPC3. The difference in staining percentages between low and high grade UCs, suggests that GPC3 staining could be used as an adjunctive marker in cases where the distinction between the low and high grade tumors is difficult. In addition, lack of staining in the non-neoplastic urothelial areas in 19 cases raises the possibility of the use of GPC3 staining for the distinction between neoplastic and non-neoplastic urothelium, especially in punch biopsy samples.ConclusionsBased on our results potential role of GPC3 in urothelial carcinogenesis warrants further investigation, especially the potential use of GPC3 for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.Virtual SlidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2260833001522844