Age and Gender Related Variability in the Strength of Auricular Cartilage in Living Humans.

Background: Despite previous studies on auricle morphology, research on its biomechanical properties remains limited. This study aims to assess age- and gender-related variations in auricle strength in living humans.

Methods: A prospective, clinical study was conducted to assess auricle stiffness at three antihelix points (superior, middle, and inferior) using a digital Newton meter.

Monocyte-to-HDL cholesterol ratio and uric acid-to-HDL cholesterol ratio as predictors of vitamin D deficiency in healthy young adults: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess vitamin D deficiency in a cohort of healthy young adults using the novel inflammatory parameters neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio (MHR), and uric acid-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (UHR).

Subjects And Methods: The study included 1,190 participants, with demographic and laboratory data retrieved retrospectively from our institution's database. The inclusion criteria were ages 22-35 years; absence of acute, subacute, or chronic diseases; no regular medication use; and laboratory values within specified reference ranges.

"/" wiring (Durukan weave) to prevent sternal cutting by wires: a propensity score matched comparison with Robicsek weave.

Introduction: Sternal closure still causes morbidity/mortality following sternotomy. Robicsek weave, cable systems, rigid plates and nitinol clips are systems employed to prevent sternal dehiscence.

Aim: The aim was to document the effectiveness of a novel method using standard sternal wires decreasing load on wires and spreading load on the lateral sternum to prevent sternal cutting by wires and thus sternal dehiscence.

Evaluation of Clinical Approach and Outcomes Bacteremia.

Objective: Despite appropriate treatment and early diagnosis methods, bacteremia (SAB) is still associated with a high mortality rate. This study aims to evaluate the clinical features and approaches to SAB and to analyze the parameters that may affect 7-day and 30-day mortality.

Materials And Methods: Adult patients with SAB data between 2011 and 2018 were evaluated retrospectively.

Evaluation of the effect of periodontitis on quality of life using Oral-Dental Health-Related Quality of Life-United Kingdom scale.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of periodontitis on oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) using Oral-Dental Health-Related Quality of Life-United Kingdom (OHRQoL-UK) scale and evaluate the contributing factors.

Methods: 50 patients with untreated periodontitis and 50 individuals without periodontitis were enrolled in the study. All subjects received detailed periodontal examination.

Awareness about dental amalgam among Turkish dentists and patients: a questionnaire and search engine based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: There has been considerable controversy concerning the health risks and benefits of using mercury-containing amalgam. This study aimed to evaluate the Turkish dentists' and patients' preference and opinion about amalgam and to assess Internet search trends about amalgam.

Methods: The study consists of three stages.

The Knowledge Level of Dentists in Turkey About Their Potential Role on the Disaster Victims Identification (DVI) Team.

Objective: Although dentists are valuable assets in identification teams during disaster events, forensic dentistry is not used effectively in the identification studies conducted in Turkey, and the importance of dental data is ignored. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of dentists regarding their duties and responsibilities during major disasters.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between December 2015 and June 2016.

Papanicolaou smear findings in solid-organ transplant recipients compared with normal subjects according to the Bethesda 2001 system.

Objectives: Solid-organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing cancer including cervical cancer compared with woman in the general population, mostly due to long-term immunosuppressive therapy. The Papanicolaou smear remains the primary method of screening cervical pathology including preinvasive and invasive lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate Pap smear findings in solid-organ transplant recipients, determine the prevalence of abnormal smears, and compare these patients with the general population.

Feasibility of the interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot assay in chronic renal failure patients and immunocompetent subjects: a head-to-head comparison.

Diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) by the tuberculin skin test (TST) is hampered due to anergy and impaired sensitivity in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of the TST with that of interferon-gamma immunospot (T-SPOT.TB®) assay in diagnosing LTBI in CRF and immunocompetent (IC) patients.

The prevalence, etiologic agents and risk factors for urinary tract infection among spinal cord injury patients.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with spinal cord injury and 22% of patients with acute spinal cord injury develop UTI during the first 50 days.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, etiologic agents and risk factors for asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections in patients with spinal cord injury.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective investigation of spinal cord injury patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections in Baskent University Medical Faculty Ayas Rehabilitation Center and Ankara Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center between January 2008 and December 2010.

Hydroxyethyl starch 6%, 130/0.4 vs. a balanced crystalloid solution in cardiopulmonary bypass priming: a randomized, prospective study.

Background: Since the advent of cardiopulmonary bypass, many efforts have been made to avoid the complications related with it. Any component of the pump participates in occurrence of these adverse events, one of which is the type of prime solution. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.

May toxicity of amiodarone be prevented by antioxidants? A cell-culture study.

Background: Atrial Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia encountered following cardiac surgery. The most commonly administered drug used in treatment and prophylaxis is amiodarone which has several toxic effects on major organ functions. There are few clinical data concerning prevention of toxic effects and there is no routinely suggested agent.

Is the T-cell-based interferon-gamma releasing assay feasible for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in an intermediate tuberculosis-burden country?

The diagnosis of active and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) remains a challenge, especially in light of the fact that the tuberculin skin test (TST), which has been used to diagnose LTBI for over a century, has many well-known drawbacks. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of the T-cell-based interferon-gamma releasing assay (IGRA) T-SPOT.TB with the TST for the diagnosis of LTBI in an intermediate tuberculosis (TB)-burden country with high BCG coverage.

Prevalence and risk factors of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis in Turkish children.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) and assess risk factors that can cause this disease.

Methods: After the determination of 15 primary schools in the provincial center of Ankara, questionnaires were given to 15,150 students to be answered by their parents. Detailed urologic history was obtained and physical examination applied to the students whose parents answered the questionnaire.

The 5-year incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in women older than 15 years in Ankara, Turkey: a population-based study.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant cause of morbidity and premature mortality especially in adults. In Turkey, there are few studies on DM incidence. This study aimed to determine the incidence of type 2 DM in women 15 years or older in Turkey.

Self-medication with antibiotics: questionnaire survey among primary care center attendants.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and reasons for self-medication with antibiotics within the last 12 months among primary healthcare center attendants aged 18 or over, in Ankara.

Methods: A questionnaire was applied by face to face interview technique to 2696 subjects attending at five primary healthcare centers. Information on demographic characteristics, intention to self-medication with antibiotics and self-medication within last 12 months were collected.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of the kidneys in patients with familial Mediterranean fever: initial experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in the assessment of renal function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Materials And Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers who had no history of renal disease, hypertension or vascular disease and 60 patients with FMF were included in the study. Transverse diffusion-weighted multisection echo-planar MRI was performed with the following diffusion gradient b values: 0, 111, 222, 333, 444, 556, 667, 778, 889 and 1000 s/mm(2).

MDCT of biliary cysts in children with biliary atresia: clinical associations and pathologic correlations.

Purpose: To evaluate the association of biliary cyst formation with cholangitis, portoenterostomy, biochemical abnormalities, using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and pathologic findings of end-stage liver disease.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the 42 MCDT studies, clinical history and laboratory findings of 36 children with biliary atresia.

Results: Biliary cysts were detected in 58% of the patients on MDCT images.

Topical tetracycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Background: Topical tetracycline was the first topical antibiotic approved for the treatment of acne, its use has been limited because of the skin penetration problems of the active ingredient.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new formulation of topical tetracycline [Imex, tetracycline hydrochloride 3%, 20g] monotherapy in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

Methods: The sample group consisted of 87 volunteer students of both sexes with grade 1 to grade 2 acne as assessed by Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) severity grading system.

An analysis of clinical features of pulmonary giant hydatid cyst in adult population.

Background: We performed an analysis of giant hydatid cysts (GCHs) detected in the adult population by comparison with the features of other simple hydatid cysts (CHs) in the light of the relevant literature.

Methods: The records of 74 adult patients who were operated on in our clinic for pulmonary CHs between 2001 and 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. Cysts that were 10 cm or larger in diameter on any plane were considered GCHs.

Burnout and its correlates among nursing staff: questionnaire survey.

Aim: This paper is a report of a study to determine the burnout level and its correlates in nurses.

Background: Healthcare providers and especially nurses are generally considered a high risk group regarding work stress and burnout and this syndrome has been a major concern in the field of occupational health.

Method: The study was carried out at a university hospital in Turkey during May-June 2005.

Induced abortion frequency in Ankara, Turkey, before and after the legal regulation of induced abortion.

Objective: To determine the effects of the 1983 law that legalized induced abortion on the number and place of abortions, and on the use of family planning (FP) methods before and after abortion, and to determine the demographic characteristics and reproductive health features according to the order of abortion.

Method: This study included 2455 married, widowed or divorced women presenting at Mother and Child Health-Family Planning Centres in Ankara. A questionnaire was used for data collection.

Long working hours increase the risk of sharp and needlestick injury in nurses: the need for new policy implication.

Aim: This paper reports a study to determine the sharp and needlestick injury incidence in nurses working at a university hospital and the contributing factors.

Background: Although it is generally felt that working in the healthcare sector is clean and without risk, healthcare staff and especially physicians and nurses who generally work very long hours are actually exposed to various occupational risks. Sharps and needlestick injuries are important problems for healthcare workers as they increase the risk of spread of infection.

Incidence of stress urinary incontinence among women in Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of stress urinary incontinence among women at the age of 15 and above who applied to the primary health care centers in Ankara, Turkey. We applied the urinary stress incontinence questionnaire to 2,601 women at the age of 15 or above who consulted to the "mother-child health care and family planning centers" in January 2002. To evaluate the urinary incontinence status with respect to age groups and other risk factors, chi-square test was used.