Association between the use of renin-angiotensin system blockers and development of in-hospital atrial fibrillation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background And Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the association between use of previous angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (renin-angiotensin system [RAS] blockers) and started RAS blockers after MI and development of AF in patients presenting with acute STEMI.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 1000 patients with acute STEMI who were admitted to the coronary care unit.

The Effects of Noncellulosic Compounds on the Nanoscale Interaction Forces Measured between Carbohydrate-Binding Module and Lignocellulosic Biomass.

The lack of fundamental understanding of the types of forces that govern how cellulose-degrading enzymes interact with cellulosic and noncellulosic components of lignocellulosic surfaces limits the design of new strategies for efficient conversion of biomass to bioethanol. In a step to improve our fundamental understanding of such interactions, nanoscale forces acting between a model cellulase-a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) of cellobiohydrolase I (CBH I)-and a set of lignocellulosic substrates with controlled composition were measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The three model substrates investigated were kraft (KP), sulfite (SP), and organosolv (OPP) pulped substrates.

Effect of alpha lipoic acid on smoking-induced skin damage.

Objective: Exposed to cigarette leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species and the generation of bioactive molecules that can damage skin cells. This investigation was carried out to study possible effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) on smoking-induced rat skin injury.

Materials And Methods: 28 Spraque-Dawley female rats were allocated into three groups: control group (n = 8), smoking group (n = 10; 12 cigarettes/day, 8 weeks) and smoking + ALA group (n = 10; 12 cigarettes/day + 100 mg/kg, 8 weeks).

An unnoticed origin of fever: periapical tooth abscess. Three case reports and literature review.

Dental infections may lead to severe local or systemic infections such as endocarditis, brain abscesses and mediastinitis. Fever may be the only symptom. We aim to highlight dental/odontogenic abscesses as the occult source of unexplained fever by reporting on three cases and reviewing the relevant literature.

Duplicated Renal System with H Shaped Ureter: An Extraordinary Anomaly.

Duplex collecting systems are the most commonly encountered anomaly of the urinary system. Complete duplex system with an H shaped ureter is a very rare situation. There are only two reported H ureter cases in the literature.

Indirect laryngoscopic assessment for the diagnosis of difficult intubation in patients undergoing microlaryngeal surgery.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using indirect laryngoscopy for the diagnosis of difficult intubations in patients who are undergoing microlaryngeal surgery.

Methods: In the pre-anesthetic examination the thyromental distance, sternomental distance, interincisor distance, neck circumference, modified Mallampati scores, and Wilson risk scores were measured. An otolaryngologist conducted an indirect laryngoscopic assessment.

Heterogeneity and Specificity of Nanoscale Adhesion Forces Measured between Self-Assembled Monolayers and Lignocellulosic Substrates: A Chemical Force Microscopy Study.

Lack of fundamental understanding of cellulase interactions with different plant cell wall components during cellulose saccharification hinders progress toward achieving an economic production of biofuels from renewable plant biomass. Here, chemical force microscopy (CFM) was utilized to quantify the interactions between two surfaces that model either hydrophilic or hydrophobic functional groups of cellulases and a set of lignocellulosic substrates prepared through Kraft, sulfite, or organosolv pulping with defined chemical composition. The measured forces were then decoupled into specific and nonspecific components using the Poisson statistical approach.

Patient and partner outcome of inflatable and semi-rigid penile prosthesis in a single institution.

Introduction: Penile prostheses are subject to a continuous development and have gained better mechanical reliability and safety during the last decades. In this study, we aimed to investigate the outcomes and satisfaction rates of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) and semirigid penile prosthesis (SPP) implantation.

Materials And Methods: From August 2001 to June 2012, 257 men with erectile dysfunction (ED) underwent penile prosthesis implantation (PPI) at our institution.

Evaluation of Tp-Te Interval and Tp-Te/QT Ratio in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow Tp-Te/QT Ratio and Coronary Slow Flow.

Objective: Coronary slow flow (CSF) phenomenon is described by angiographically normal coronary arteries with delayed opacification of the distal vasculature. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-Te) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of the repolarization and that increased Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ventricular repolarization by using Tp-Te interval and Tp-Te/QT ratio in patients with CSF.

Blood parameters as indicators of upper airway obstruction in children with adenoid or adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Unlabelled: Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children. This study aimed to evaluate the blood parameters of children with ATH who underwent surgery.

Methods: The study included a review of the medical records of 130 children who underwent adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy with a diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy and/or chronic tonsillitis.

Minimally invasive surgical treatment for large impacted upper ureteral stones: Ureteroscopic lithotripsy or percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

Introduction: The management of patients with large impacted upper ureteral stones is difficult; there is no standard treatment. We compared the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and ureteroscopic lithotripsy (UL) to treat large (≥1.5 cm), impacted, upper ureteral stones.

Clinical features and outcomes of nontransitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder: Analysis of 125 cases.

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate pathologic diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of 125 patients with nontransitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Materials And Methods: A total of 3590 patients with bladder tumors operated in our clinic between September 1998 and May 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 125 patients (107 men and 18 women) with nontransitional cell bladder cancer, confirmed by histopathology, were included in this study.

Isolated stenosis of the inferior mesenteric artery: to treat or not to treat?

The indication for treatment of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is generally not clear. The IMA is frequently ignored owing to its size and the presence of alternate pathways within the mesenteric vasculature. However, IMA treatment may be indicated in certain clinical scenarios.

Outcomes of Therasphere Radioembolization for Colorectal Metastases.

Introduction: The liver is the most common site for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases. Radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y90) represents an alternative approach in the management of unresectable hepatic colorectal metastases. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes after treatment with Y90.

Appropriateness of systemic treatments in unresectable metastatic well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Aim: To evaluate systemic treatment choices in unresectable metastatic well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and provide consensus treatment recommendations.

Methods: Systemic treatment options for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have expanded in recent years to include somatostatin analogs, angiogenesis inhibitors, inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin and cytotoxic agents. At this time, there is little data to guide treatment selection and sequence.

Five years with a rectal foreign body: A case report.

Introduction: Rectal foreign bodies are rare colorectal emergencies. They are important for the complications that may occur. Delayed response causes a wide range of complications or may even result in death.

Laparoscopy has a superior diagnostic yield than percutaneous image-guided biopsy for suspected intra-abdominal lymphoma.

Introduction: To date, no study has compared laparoscopy (LB) to percutaneous (PB) biopsy for the diagnosis of abdominal lymphoma. The objective of this study is to compare the success rate and safety profile of laparoscopic lymph node biopsy to the percutaneous approach in patients with intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy concerning for lymphoma.

Materials And Methods: We performed a multi-institution, retrospective review of patients undergoing lymph node biopsy for suspected intra-abdominal lymphoma between 2005 and 2013.

Does the etiology affect the outcome and satisfaction rates of penile prosthesis implantation surgery?

Our aim was to compare the outcomes and satisfaction rates of men undergoing penile prostheses implantation (PPI) secondary to radical prostatectomy (RP) and other causes of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of 142 patients, of whom 60 underwent PPI due to ED following RP (Group 1) and 82 underwent PPI due to ED with other vasculogenic causes (Group 2) were included in this study. The preoperative erectile status was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

Spontaneous bilateral rod fracture of malleable penile prosthesis.

Mechanical failure with a malleable penile prosthesis is very rare. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reporting on a bilateral AMS 650 rod mechanical failure. We present a 50-year-old man with organic erectile dysfunction who experienced bilateral AMS 650 rod fracture after 14 years.

Clinical biochemistry laboratory rejection rates due to various types of preanalytical errors.

Introduction: Preanalytical errors, along the process from the beginning of test requests to the admissions of the specimens to the laboratory, cause the rejection of samples. The aim of this study was to better explain the reasons of rejected samples, regarding to their rates in certain test groups in our laboratory.

Materials And Methods: This preliminary study was designed on the rejected samples in one-year period, based on the rates and types of inappropriateness.

Female sexual function after transobturator tape in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.

We evaluate quality of life and sexual function before and after transobturator tape procedure (TOT) using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ -SF) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Between 2008 and 2013, 92 patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) underwent TOT procedure. A total of 81 patients were sexual active and enrolled in the study.

Risk factors for postoperative infectious complications following percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective clinical study.

The aim of the study was to assess the preoperative and intraoperative potential risk factors for infectious complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). A total of 303 patients who underwent PCNL for renal stones were included in the recent study. A detailed history including past renal surgery, nephrostomy insertion and recurrent urinary infection were obtained from all patients.

Tear osmolarity and tear film parameters in patients with unilateral pterygium.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in tear osmolarity and tear film parameters between pterygium-affected and healthy fellow eyes.

Methods: The study enrolled 65 patients with unilateral pterygium. Tear osmolarity, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test measurements, fluorescein corneal staining, and conjunctival redness were evaluated.