Examination of optical coherence tomography findings in patients with pregabalin use disorder.

Background: Pregabalin abuse is a rapidly growing health problem worldwide, and little is known about the effects of prolonged high-dose use in patients with pregabalin use disorder.

Objective: In this study, the effects of pregabalin abuse on retinal layers were investigated in patients with pregabalin use disorder (PGUD).

Methods: This study included 35 controls and 34 patients with PGUD, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 criteria.

Long-Term Results of Sodium 2-Mercaptoethane Sulfonate Usage on Cholesteatoma Surgery.

Although advanced technologies and surgical procedures are used, cholesteatoma is a disease with the possibility of recurrence. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effect of sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (MESNA) on cholesteatoma surgery. Patients who underwent cholesteatoma surgery between January 2009 and July 2014 by the same surgeon were divided into 2 groups: those where MESNA was used and those where it was not.

Can retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness be a marker for distinguishing bipolar depression from unipolar depression?

Objective: We aimed to compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD).

Method: The study included thirty MDD, thirty-two BD participants in depressive episode, and thirty-seven controls matched according to age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status. Optic coherence tomography (OCT) measurements were performed for both participants and controls.

Neurocognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis and its association with thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin.

This study aimed to assess the possible association between cognitive impairment and two important biochemical biomarkers of oxidative stress, thiol-disulfide homeostasis (TDH), and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study included 85 patients with MS (38 treatment-naïve relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 31 RRMS on fingolimod therapy, and 16 secondary progressive MS (SPMS)) and 33 healthy controls. Cognitive evaluation was carried out by applying the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) test battery and the scores were adjusted for age and years of education.

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Hyaluronic Acid on Perforation of Nasal Septum.

Background: Conservative approaches and surgical methods have been tried for the treatment of nasal septum perforations (NSPs), but a satisfactory method has not yet been determined.

Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in repairing NSPs, which were experimentally created in rabbit septum.

Methods: A total of 36 white New Zealand rabbits were included in the study.

Single nucleotide variants around the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) gene and their association with multiple sclerosis risk, disability scores, and rate of disease progression.

Background: This study aimed to explore the possible association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the upstream (rs9402373) and downstream regions (rs9399005 and rs12526196) of the gene encoding connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) risk and clinical parameters including disability scores and rate of disability progression.

Materials And Methods: In total, 200 patients with RRMS and 305 controls were genotyped using real-time PCR (rs1252696 C/T and rs9402373 G/C) or PCR-RFLP (rs9399005 C/T) methods. Furthermore, the association between these genotypes and clinical parameters including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS), age at onset, duration of disease, duration of treatment, and presence of contrast-enhancing lesions was analyzed.

The Effect of Passive Smoking on Mucociliary Clearance and Inferior Concha Reactivity.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of cigarette smoke on turbinate reactivity and mucociliary clearance (MCC) in passive smokers.

Methods: 60 adult patients (30 passive smokers and 30 healthy subjects as the control group) were recruited for this study. Following a questionnaire on passive smoke exposure, MCC measurement using the saccharin test was carried out to all participants.

Are long-term auditory results following ossiculoplasty with bone cement as successful as early-middle period results?

Purpose: Bone-cement (BC) ossiculoplasty is one of the options to solve ossicular chain problems. Many authors reported successful results in the early or mid-follow-up period; however, there is no long-term result in the literature. We aim to evaluate long term results of BC ossiculoplasty.

Could sudden sensorineural hearing loss be the sole manifestation of COVID-19? An investigation into SARS-COV-2 in the etiology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients presenting with only sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHNL) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The study included five male patients who presented with the sole complaint of unilateral SSNHL to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic between 03-12 April 2020. The patients were referred to the infectious diseases clinic to be evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.

Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial drug loaded β-tricalcium phosphate powders for bone engineering applications.

Powders of β-tricalcium phosphate [β-TCP, β-Ca(PO)] and composite powders of β-TCP and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were synthesized by using wet precipitation methods. First, the conditions for the preparation of single phase β-TCP have been delineated. In the co-precipitation procedure, calcium nitrate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate were used as calcium and phosphorous precursors, respectively.

Nasopharyngeal Pleomorphic Adenoma: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Salivary gland tumors are rare among all head and neck tumors. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most commonly seen subtype, and 85% of the cases are located in the parotid gland. PA may very rarely be seen in minor salivary glands.

Facial canal dehiscence rate: a retrospective analysis of 372 chronic otitis media cases.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the rate and location of facial canal dehiscence (FCD) observed during surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma.

Material And Method: Operative details of 1296 patients who underwent chronic otitis media surgery from January 2000 to January 2017 by the same surgeon were included in this retrospective study focusing on intraoperative observations of FCD.

Results: Because of the type of the surgery, the Fallopian canal could not be seen completely, so 924 of the cases which only involved performing a tympanoplasty were not included in the study.

Novel electrospun polycaprolactone/graphene oxide/FeO nanocomposites for biomedical applications.

In this study, one of the most promising methods of tailoring a composite scaffold material in nano sized diameters, electrospinning method were used to produce Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Graphene Oxide (GO)/Iron(II, III) Oxide (FeO) nanocomposite fibers as biocompatible scaffolds for biomedical applications. Products were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological analysis of the electrospun nanocomposites and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine functional groups of the PCL, GO, and FeO materials in the electrospun nanocomposites. For physical properties, viscosity, density, permittivity, dielectric loss and liquid and solid state alternating current conductivity, measurements were done for each nanocomposite fibers.

Thiol/disulphide homeostasis in manic episode and remission phases of bipolar disorder.

Purpose: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronical psychiatric disorder of which pathophysiology was demonstrated to be related with oxidative stress. Thiol-disulphide homeostasis is an indicator of oxidative balance. This study aims to investigate thiol-disulphide homeostasis in BD.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological properties of composites of hydroxyapatite and hexagonal boron nitride.

Hydroxyapatite (HA), obtained from bovine bones, was successfully reinforced with hexagonal boron nitrite (h-BN). h-BN/HA composites, with BN content up to 1.5 wt %, were sintered at various temperatures between 1000 and 1300°C, in air.

Aging as the Impact Factor on Septoplasty Success.

Objective: The aim of the study was to discuss the impact of aging on septoplasty success.

Study Design And Setting: This prospective case control study was conducted at the Umraniye Education and Research Hospital.

Methods: Our study group consists of 23 patients older than 60-year-old who have septal deviation and have previously been postponed for this surgery due to various reasons.

Phenprobamate dependence: a case report.

Phenprobamate (3-phenylpropylcarbamate) is a centrally acting muscle relaxant with mild sedative and anticonvulsant effects. Muscle relaxants can enhance and prolong the effect of narcotic drugs and enable to obtain same effect with a smaller amount of alcohol or illicit substance. Almost all of the centrally acting muscle relaxants have varying sedative effects on which their abuse potential mainly depends.

Investigation of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA, chlamydial lipopolisaccharide antigens, and Helicobacter pylori DNA in atherosclerotic plaques of patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Background And Introduction: It has been suggested that chronic infections may have a role in both the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. While the majority of available data are focused on coronary artery disease, our aim was to investigate the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori in samples from aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Methods: Aorta-iliac atherectomy specimens were collected under sterile conditions from 21 patients (19 male, 2 female) undergoing surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease.