Deniz Sigirli

Facial asymmetry in young healthy subjects evaluated by statistical shape analysis

Statistical shape analysis, a relatively a new method for biological research, compares body forms by using specific landmarks determined by anatomical prominences. In this study, we aimed to identify normal facial asymmetry between the right and the left sides of the face. Facial landmark data were collected from two‐dimensional digital images of 321 young healthy subjects (150 males and 171 females). These data were analysed using Euclidean distance matrix analysis. The number of significantly asymmetric linear distances between the two halves of the face was greater in females than in males. We found that the left side of the face was most commonly dominant in both males and females. Such data may be useful in establishing a database for future similar studies.

Effect of rosiglitazone, metformin and medical nutrition treatment on arterial stiffness, serum MMP-9 and MCP-1 levels in drug naive type 2 diabetic patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term effect of rosiglitazone and metformin monotherapy with medical nutrition treatment (MNT) and of MNT alone on arterial stiffness, serum monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in drug naive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fifty type 2 diabetic patients were randomized to receive rosiglitazone 4 mg/day (n=19) or metformin 850 mg/day (n=16) with MNT or MNT alone (n=15), for 52 weeks. Arterial stiffness was assessed by using large and small artery elasticity index (SAEI and LAEI, respectively). SAEI, LAEI, serum MCP-1 and MMP-9 levels were measured at baseline and following 52 weeks of treatment. SAEI was improved only in the rosiglitazone group, and the difference was still statistically significant when the three groups were compared (p=0.024). There were no differences in LAEI in inter- and intragroup comparisons at the end of the study. Serum MMP-9 levels were decreased in the metformin (-13.5+/-34.8%, p=0.02) and rosiglitazone (-27.2+/-51.0%, p=0.023) groups compared with baseline values, whereas no significant change was seen in serum MCP-1 levels. These results suggest that rosiglitazone monotherapy has favorable effects on arterial stiffness compared with metformin monotherapy independent of glycemic control.

The comparison of modified early warning score with rapid emergency medicine score: a prospective multicentre observational cohort study on medical and surgical patients presenting to emergency department

Objective There are a few scoring systems in emergency departments (ED) to establish critically ill patients quickly and properly and to predict hospitalisation. We aim to compare the efficacy of Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) and Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) on in-hospital mortality, and as predictor of hospitalisation in general medical and surgical patients admitted to ED. Methods This is a prospective, multicentre and observational cohort study. The study included general medical and surgical patients admitted to the EDs of three education and research hospitals during a period of 6 months. The primary outcome of the study is the admission of the patient to a ward/an intensive care unit (ICU)/high dependency unit (HDU) and in-hospital mortality. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate and compare the performances of two scores. Results Total patients were 2000 (51.95% male, 48.05% female). The mean age was 61.41±18.92. Median MEWS and REMS values of the patients admitted to the ICU/HDU from ED were 1 and 6, respectively; and there was a significant difference in terms of REMS values, compared with patients discharged from ED. REMS (area under the curve (AUC): 0.642) was found to have a better predictive strength than MEWS (AUC: 0.568) in discriminating in-patients and discharged patients. Additionally, REMS (0.707) was superior to MEWS (AUC 0.630) in terms of predicting in-hospital mortality of patients presenting to ED. Conclusions The efficiency of REMS was found to be superior to MEWS as a predictor of in-hospital mortality and hospitalisation in medical and surgical patients admitted to ED.

Association between hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrences affect both patient and graft survivals post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in HBV patients with HCC. We analyzed the relationship between HBV and HCC recurrence in a large cohort of HBV-OLT patients with versus without HCC. METHODS Two hundred eighty-seven HBV patients with OLT (72 also with HCC) were included in the study. Mean follow-up in the post-OLT period was 31.7 +/- 24.7 (range, 3-119) months. RESULTS Post-OLT HBV recurrence observed in 10.1% of patients was more prevalent among the HCC group; 23.6% versus 5.5% in patients with and without HCC, respectively. The mean interval for the development of HBV recurrence was 39.5 +/- 28.5 (range, 2-99) months. Among 72 HCC patients, 8 patients (11.1%) had recurrent HCC, and 7 of them also had HBV recurrence. The mean interval for the development of HCC recurrence was 11.2 +/- 7.85 (range, 2-23) months after OLT. OLT patients with HCC with tumors exceeding the Milan criteria had worse 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates than patients with HCC meeting the Milan criteria. HBV and HCC recurrence-free survivals were significantly lower in patients with HCC and HBV recurrence, respectively. In the 7 patients with both HCC and HBV recurrence, mean HBV recurrence time was 9.42 +/- 6.75 months and mean HCC recurrence time was 9.57 +/- 6.75 months. There was a strong correlation between HBV and HCC recurrence times. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that only HCC recurrence was a significant independent predictor of HBV recurrence (P < .001; hazard ratio [HR] = 26.94; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.81-67.11). On the other hand, HBV recurrence (P = .013; HR = 5.80; 95% CI = 1.45-23.17) and nodule count (P = .014; HR = 13.08; 95% CI = 1.70-100.83) were significant predictors of HCC recurrence. CONCLUSIONS HBV and HCC recurrences demonstrate a close relationship in patients with OLT.

Hipotermi ve varfarin uygulanan şiddetli femoral arter kanamalı sıçan modelinde kitosan lineer polimer’in (Celox®) hemostatik etkinliği

BACKGROUND In this study, the hemostatic efficacy of Celox® in rats under hypothermia or warfarin treatment was investigated. METHODS A total of forty-eight Sprague-Dawley female rats weighing 200-350 g were used in the study. Six experimental study groups were designed, as follows: Group 1: Normothermia + compression; Group 2: normothermia + Celox®; Group 3: hypothermia + compression; Group 4: hypothermia + Celox®; Group 5: normothermia + warfarin + compression; and Group 6: normothermia + warfarin + Celox®. RESULTS Celox® provided effective hemorrhage control in all three tested groups. There was a statistically significant difference between compression and Celox® implementation in all groups in terms of hemostasis (p-values for the normothermia, hypothermia and warfarin groups were p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the compression numbers were significantly lower in all of the groups that received Celox ® than in those in which compression alone was applied (p-values for the normothermia, hypothermia and warfarin groups were p<0.01, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION Celox® provides effective hemorrhage control under conditions of normothermia, hypothermia and use of the oral anticoagulant agent warfarin.

Anxiety Prevalence and Affecting Factors Among University Students

This study provides insight into the prevalence and correlates of anxiety among university students in Bursa, Turkey. A total of 4850 students participated in the study. Students completed Spielberger’s State—Trait Anxiety Inventory, as well as a questionnaire designed to determine risk factors of anxiety. About 29.6% and 36.7% of the students in the study reported state and trait anxiety scores of more than 45 points, respectively. Controlling for gender and family socioeconomic status, the following characteristics predict both state and trait anxiety: the status of family relationships, difficulty understanding lectures, difficulty adapting to university life, having to solve problems independently, a vision of self-sufficiency in problem solving, negative life experience, and satisfaction with their department of study. The following factors are predictive of only state anxiety: boarding conditions, having a chronic disease, and exam periods. The risk factors for trait anxiety scores include the following: anxiety about the future, preparation for work life, class of study, private relationships, and attitude of the family toward their child. Families, secondary education institutions, and universities should cooperate to eliminate risk factors for anxiety among university students.

Subcutaneous Closed-Suction Drainage Does Not Affect Surgical Site Infection Rate Following Elective Abdominal Operations: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate whether subcutaneous closed-suction drainage (SCSD) would decrease the SSI rate in elective abdominal operations. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to have subcutaneous drains or not following elective abdominal surgery. The fascia and incision closure technique and antimicrobial prophylaxis were standardised. In the drain cohort, SCSD was applied after fascia closure. The drain was removed on postoperative day three. Patient characteristics, body mass index (BMI) and the depth of subcutaneous fatty tissue (SCFT) were noted. The incisional SSI rates were analysed. Results: There were 210 patients in the drain group and 192 in the no-drain group. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of demographics, BMI or SCFTs. The overall SSI rate was 7.7% and was 5.7% in the drain group and 9.9% in the no-drain group (p = 0.116). Neither BMI nor subcutaneous skin depth affected the SSI rate. However, subgroup analysis revealed that the SSI rate was lower in patients with drains who had undergone resection of colorectal malignancies or had lower abdominal incisions ( p< 0.03). Conclusions: The overall incisional SSI rate was comparable between the drain and no-drain groups. However, subcutaneous closed-suction drainage was not found effective in preventing SSI in our study except in a subgroup of patients with colorectal malignancies and lower abdominal incisions.

Value of the Glasgow coma scale, age, and arterial blood pressure score for predicting the mortality of major trauma patients presenting to the emergency department

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to detect the mortality predictive power of new Glasgow coma scale, age, and arterial pressure (GAP) scoring system in major trauma patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). METHODS A total of 100 major trauma patients admitted to Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine ED who were 18 years of age or more were included in the study. In this prospective study, revised trauma score (RTS), injury severity score (ISS), trauma-related ISS (TRISS), Mechanism, GAP (MGAP) and GAP scores of the patients were calculated. RESULTS A significant positive correlation was established between ISS, TRISS, MGAP, and GAP in predicting in-hospital mortality (p<0.0001). Short-term (24 hours) and long-term (4-week) mortality prediction rates and area under the curve in receiver operating characteristics analysis were 0.727-0.680 for RTS, 0.863-0.816 for ISS, 0.945-0,911 for TRISS, 0.970-0.938 for MGAP, and 0.910-0.904 for GAP. All calculated trauma scoring systems revealed a significant mortality prediction power (p<0.001). GAP score was found statistically and significantly selective and sensitive in predicting both in-ED and in-hospital mortality (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION In major trauma patients, GAP score is an easily calculable system both in the field and at the time of admission in the EDs by providing emergency physicians with future decision-making schemes by means of mortality prediction of the patients.

An investigation of Candida species isolated from blood cultures during 17 years in a university hospital

Candidemia is the most frequent manifestation observed with invasive candidiasis. The aim of this study was to analyse the trends of candidemia in a large tertiary‐care hospital to determine the overall incidence during January 1996–December 2012, as well as to determine the susceptibility of 453 isolates according to the revised Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints. Candidemia episodes in adult and paediatric patients were retrospectively analysed from the laboratory data of Uludağ University Healthcare and Research Hospital. The 17‐year period studied was divided into three periods (1996–2001, 2002–2007 and 2008–2012) for better comparison, and candidemia incidence was determined by the ratio of total number of patients with candidemia per 1000 patients admitted to the hospital and per 10 000 patient days in these three periods. Redefined CLSI M27‐A3 breakpoints were used for interpretation of antifungal susceptibility results. Candidemia incidence was determined as 2.2, 1.7 and 1.5 per 1000 admitted patients during 1996–2001, 2002–2007 and 2008–2012 respectively. A significantly decreased candidemia incidence was obtained in the third period. C. albicans (43.8%) was the most common candidemia agent, followed by C.parapsilosis (26.5%) in all three periods. According to the revised CLSI breakpoints, there was fluconazole resistance in C. albicans, C.parapsilosis, C.tropicalis and C.glabrata species (1.4%, 18.2%, 2.6% and 14.3% respectively). Almost all Candida species were found susceptible to voriconazole except one C.glabrata (7.1%) isolate. Candidemia is an important health problem. Local epidemiological data are determinative in the choice of appropriate antifungal treatment agents.

Total and acylated ghrelin levels in type 2 diabetic patients: similar levels observed after treatment with metformin, pioglitazone or diet therapy.

Ghrelin, a potent gut-brain orexigenic peptide, has a role in stimulation of food intake and long-term regulation of body weight. Metformin and pioglitazone treatment have different effects on body weight. This discrepancy might be related with the effect of these two drugs on plasma ghrelin levels. We investigated the effect of these two drugs on post-prandial acylated and total ghrelin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Eleven patients treated with diet, 12 patients treated with 850 mg/day metformin monotherapy and 12 patients treated with 30 mg/day pioglitazone monotherapy for at least 6 months were enrolled in the study. Plasma acylated and total ghrelin levels were investigated at baseline and at the 60 (th), 120 (th), 180 (th), 240 (th) minutes after a mixed meal test. There were no differences between groups in any of baseline metabolic and anthropometric parameters, including acylated and total ghrelin levels. Acylated and total ghrelin concentrations were suppressed similarly after food consumption, and we could not determine any significant difference between the groups at any time interval. A prolonged postprandial suppression of acylated ghrelin concentrations was observed in the pioglitazone treatment group compared with baseline values. In conclusion, total and acylated ghrelin levels after a mixed meal test were similar in type 2 diabetic patients treated with metformin, pioglitazone or diet therapy alone. These results suggest that changes in body weight during metformin and pioglitazone treatment are not associated with plasma ghrelin levels.