Postoperative delirium: A tragedy for elderly cancer patients.

In this editorial, we comment on the article by Hu entitled "Predictive modeling for postoperative delirium in elderly patients with abdominal malignancies using synthetic minority oversampling technique" We wanted to draw attention to the general features of postoperative delirium (POD) as well as the areas where there are uncertainties and contradictions. POD can be defined as acute neurocognitive dysfunction that occurs in the first week after surgery. It is a severe postoperative complication, especially for elderly oncology patients.

Can Gastric Volume be Accurately Estimated by Ultrasound?

Objective: Knowing the degree of gastric fullness is critical in determining the potential risk of pulmonary aspiration prior to urgent or elective intubation. This study aims to investigate the role of ultrasound in predicting the gastric volume accurately.

Methods: 176 patients who underwent upper gastric endoscopy after 12-hour fasting were examined by gastric US.

Anesthetic management of a child with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome undergoing open heart surgery: A case report.

Background: Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a congenital multisystemic genetic disorder. The expected lifespan of children with this disorder has been prolonged in parallel with the advances in medicine in recent years. However, they still more frequently undergo cardiac surgery.

Effects of Sevoflurane and Propofol Anesthesia on Cerebral Oxygenation in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy.

Aim: To compare the effects of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on perioperative cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) under general anesthesia by using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring.

Material And Methods: Institutional approval was obtained, and the perioperative data of 33 patients undergoing CEA were retrospectively evaluated. The study groups were organized according to the anesthesia drugs used for maintenance: sevoflurane (n=17) and propofol (n=16).

Integrated social and health care services among societies in transition: Insights from Turkey.

Societies experiencing rapid demographic transition may expect to face challenges such as accelerated population aging and increasing care-related needs. Decentralization of welfare states and resultant fragmentation of services is gaining increasing attention. In this study, we offer suggestions of how developing countries might move from fragmentation to integration of social and health care services.

The effects of dexmedetomidine on human internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts under hypothermia and normothermia.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hypothermia and normothermia on the isolated human saphenous vein (SV) and internal mammary artery (IMA) responses to dexmedetomidine.

Methods: The response of human IMA and SV strips with (E+) and without (E-) endothelium subjected to cumulative concentrations of (10-9, 0-6 M) dexmedetomidine were recorded at 37 °C and at 28 °C. OnE-way ANOVA was used for analysis.

The effects of intra-articular injection of ibuprofen on knee joint cartilage and synovium in rats.

Objective: The aim of this animal study was to investigate the short and long-term local histomorphologic effects and the utility of intra-articular application of ibuprofen.

Methods: Forty-six Wistar Albino rats were used in the study. The rats were randomized into 5 groups of 8 and a sham group of 6.

Iliac Artery Injury During Lumbar Disc Hernia Surgery.

Background: Vascular injury complications during lumbar discectomy are rare but potentially life-threatening. Therefore, an early diagnosis and effective treatment management is required for these complications.

Case Description: A 50-year-old female patient was admitted to our outpatient clinic with severe back and right leg pain.

In vitro vasoactive effects of dexmedetomidine on isolated human umbilical arteries.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the vasoactive effects of dexmedetomidine on isolated human umbilical arteries and possible mechanisms involved.

Methods: Human umbilical artery strips were suspended in Krebs-Henseleit solution and dose-response curves were obtained for cumulative dexmedetomidine before and after incubation with different agents; propranolol, atropine, yohimbine, prazosin, indomethacin, verapamil. Effects of calcium on cumulative dexmedetomidine-induced contractions were also studied.

Higher education in gerontology: A comparison of master's programs in Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey.

As of 2015, there is only one master's program of gerontology acknowledged by each of the following countries: Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey. All three programs have fewer than 15 years of history. These three countries differ in society types based on the proportion of older adults, rate of population aging, and population size.

Renal effects of coronary artery bypass graft surgery in diabetic and non-diabetic patients: a study with urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and serum cystatin C.

Background/aims: Cardiac surgery and diabetes are major causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). We aimed to investigate the value of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and serum cystatin C, as early biomarkers for prediction of AKI in diabetic and non-diabetic adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: 15 non-diabetic and 15 diabetic adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery were enrolled.

Effects of propofol and sevoflurane on isolated human umbilical arteries pre-contracted with dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Aim: To assess the effects of propofol and sevoflurane on the contraction elicited by dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline on isolated human umbilical arteries.

Methods: Umbilical arteries were cut into endothelium-denuded spiral strips and suspended in organ baths containing Krebs-Henseleit solution bubbled with O2 +CO2 mixture. Control contraction to phenylephrine (10(-5)  M) was recorded.

Anesthetic management of a newborn with trisomy 18 undergoing closure of patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary artery banding.

Background: Peri-operative management of infants with trisomy 18 syndrome is challenging due to various congenital cardiac and facial anomalies.

Case Report: We report the anaesthetic management of a 13-day-old neonate with 1 540 g body weight, undergoing closure of patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary artery banding. Anaesthesia was induced with sevoflurane, fentanyl and rocuronium.

Endovenous laser ablation under general anesthesia for day surgery: feasibility and outcomes of the 300 patients.

Purpose: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for superficial venous insufficiency is traditionally performed under tumescent local anesthesia as day case surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of general anesthesia in addition to tumescent anesthesia in patients undergoing EVLA.

Methods: The anesthesia and clinical registration records of 341 extremities of 300 adult patients were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.

Cardiac angiosarcoma: A case with bilateral pleural and pericardial effusion.

Cardiac sarcomas are rare malignant tumors. Angiosarcoma is the most common cardiac sarcoma and is present in up to 33% of cases. Angiosarcomas have a poor prognosis, with a short survival expectancy.

Effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy techniques on postoperative pain: a prospective randomized study.

Purpose: Minimally invasive surgical technics have benefits such as decreased pain, reduced surgical trauma, and increased potential to perform as day case surgery, and cost benefit. The primary aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled study was to compare the effects of single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) procedures regarding postoperative pain.

Methods: Ninety adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study.

The analgesic efficacy of intra-articular acetaminophen in an experimental model of carrageenan-induced arthritis.

Background: Acetaminophen is one of the most common drugs used for the treatment of pain and fever.

Objectives: To examine the effects of intra-articular (IA) acetaminophen on carrageenan-induced arthritic pain-related behaviour and spinal c-Fos expression in rats.

Methods: The present study was performed using 20 Sprague Dawley rats.

International spotlight: developing a gerontological social policy agenda for Turkey.

From 1960 to 2013, the population of Turkey increased almost threefold, with older adults aged 65 and older increasing almost sevenfold. In light of the demographic revolution in the age composition of world populations, we investigated the following research questions from the perspective of Turkish gerontologists: What are the conditions of older people based on sociological factors such as gender, partnership status, income, education, health, religion, and ethnicity? What should Turkey's gerontological agenda contain for the short term, mid-term, and long term, particularly in view of the rapidly changing nature of political, social, and economic life in the country? By 2025, adults (aged 40-65) will make up the largest population group in Turkey's history. It is time for Turkey to embrace this demographic gift and identify its own gerontological agenda to pave the way for social justice and social citizenship.

Quality of life in an ageing society : a comparative analysis of age cohorts in Turkey.

The aim of this study is to bring into focus the living conditions of the older adults in Turkey by using quality of life (QoL) criteria through which to highlight dimensions relating to their QoL status in comparison to other age cohorts. Are there specific QoL issues among older adults that would indicate that they display systematic differences in comparison to other age cohorts in Turkey? To what extent are there gender differences among older adults in QoL status? Data from the EQLS conducted in 2007 provided the information for understanding the self-reported conditions of older adults. Analysis shows that, for historical and contemporary reasons, older adults in Turkey form a disadvantaged cohort compared to other groups.

Management of postdural puncture headache with epidural saline patch in a 10-year-old child after inguinal hernia repair: a case report.

Spinal anesthesia (SA) is becoming increasingly popular among pediatric anesthetists. Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) has been reported in children. PDPH generally spontaneously resolves within a few days with bed rest and nonopioid analgesics, but it may last for several days.

Is a neutral head position as effective as head rotation during landmark-guided internal jugular vein cannulation? Results of a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: Central venous access remains a cornerstone procedure for a variety of clinical conditions. Ultrasound studies suggest that rotation of the head increases the magnitude of the overlap of the internal jugular vein with the carotid artery. The authors assessed whether a neutral position of the head during anatomic landmark-guided cannulation of the internal jugular vein (IJV) was an attractive alternative to rotating the neck to a >45° head turn.

Locally ablative non-surgical management of colo-rectal liver metastasis.

Background: Liver is one of the commonest sites of metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. Solitary liver metastasis or oligometastasis are traditionally treated by surgical resection or chemotherapy.

Discussion: There may be a subgroup of these patients who are not suitable for surgery or chemotherapy due to various co-morbid factors.

War and infection in the pre-antibiotic era: the Third Ottoman Army in 1915.

Background: The aim of this study, which evaluated historical data, was to delineate the probable impacts of infectious diseases on human populations under extraordinary circumstances. The second goal was to disclose the mortality rates for infectious diseases in the absence of antibiotics.

Methods: The Third Ottoman Army records at the Turkish General Staff Military History and Strategic Study Directorate were studied retrospectively for the period between March 1915 and February 1916.

A clinical comparison of etomidate-lipuro, propofol and admixture at induction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare etomidate-lipuro and propofol and 50%, (1:1) admixture of these agents at induction with special reference to injection pain, hemodynamic changes, and myoclonus.

Methods: Ninety patients were assigned at random to three groups in which induction was performed with either etomidate-lipuro, propofol or etomidate-lipuro-propofol admixture. After monitorization with bispectral index (BIS) all agents were given with infusion with a perfuser at a constant rate of 200 ml/min till the BIS values decreased to 40.