Publications by authors named "Toka O"

Objective: Antimicrobial resistance can lead to morbidity and mortality in serious infections. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of patients admitted to the outpatient clinics of our hospital about the rational use of antibiotics.

Materials And Methods: Patients who applied to Infectious Diseases and Internal Diseases Polyclinics between August 01, 2021 and February 01, 2022 were included.

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Objectives: This study mainly examines the effects of patient safety culture dimensions on 4 outcomes (self-reported errors, witnessing errors, incident reporting, and patient safety grade).

Methods: The data were collected using the Turkish version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire, which consists of 6 dimensions (teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, stress recognition, perceptions of management, and working conditions). Of 1679 personnel working in 6 hospitals in Ankara, 860 were randomly selected.

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Objective: Determining the clinical characteristics associated with SARS-COV-2 infection may contribute to reducing mortality in elderly patients, considering the age-related sensitivity and the excess of complications. Our study aimed to evaluate the factors that determine the severity of the disease in elderly patients followed up in our hospital.

Materials And Methods: The files of definite or probable COVID-19 patients over 65 years old who were followed up by the infectious diseases clinic of our hospital between March 15 and October 1, 2020, were evaluated retrospectively.

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Objective: We aimed to investigate the mastoid emissary vein (MEV) canal incidence and to identify its relationship with jugular bulb (JB) and sigmoid sulcus anatomical variations.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,300 patients with temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scans in January 2016 to March 2020. The presence and the diameter of the MEV canal, and the anatomical variations of the sigmoid sulcus and the JB were reviewed by two radiologists.

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Background: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a severe complication of the univentricular Fontan circulation and associated with disturbances in salt and water homeostasis. Fontan patients with PLE have a poor prognosis, with increased morbidity and mortality. Due to limited therapeutic strategies, patients are often treated only symptomatically.

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Article Synopsis
  • Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a serious complication for patients with Fontan circulation, possibly linked to issues with lymphatic cells and immune responses.
  • The study involved miRNA expression profiling in 49 patients to analyze immune cell types and pathways, revealing significant changes in T cell populations associated with PLE.
  • Findings indicated that Fontan patients with PLE had severe T cell deficiencies and an altered immune profile, suggesting chronic inflammation and a compromised immune system due to dysregulation by specific miRNA pathways.
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Objective: Our aim is to evaluate influenza vaccination rates among the elderly and individuals with underlying chronic disease, and factors that affect vaccination uptake.

Methods: The study comprised individuals aged 18-65 years with underlying chronic diseases, and individuals aged over 65 years. Literature-based questionnaires prepared by the researcher regarding vaccination were completed through face-to-face interviews by the principal investigator.

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Background: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a severe complication of Fontan circulation with increased risk of end-organ dysfunction. We evaluated tissue oxygenation via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) at different exercise levels in Fontan patients.

Methods: Assessment of multisite NIRS during cycle ergometer exercise and daily activities in three groups: Fontan patients with PLE; without PLE; patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA); comparing univentricular with biventricular circulation and Fontan with/without PLE.

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Article Synopsis
  • Postoperative fluid management in critically ill neonates with capillary leak syndrome (CLS) after cardiac surgery is difficult due to challenges like fluid overload and resistance to regular diuretics, leading to increased ICU stays and complications.
  • Tolvaptan (TLV), a vasopressin receptor antagonist, was administered as an additional diuretic, and a study of 25 patients showed that factors like urinary output and blood pressure on day 2 were good predictors of how well TLV worked.
  • Patients who responded positively to TLV experienced significant weight loss, quicker ventilator weaning, and reduced ICU time, while overall serum sodium and osmolality levels increased during treatment.
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Background: Aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of ventricular septal defects (VSD) using high pitch computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest in children below 1 year of age, compared to the intraoperative findings and echocardiography.

Methods: Out of 154 patients that underwent Dual-Source CTA of the chest using a high-pitch protocol at low tube voltages (70-80 kV), 55 underwent surgical repair of a VSD (median age 8 days, range 1-348 days). The margins of the VSDs and their relation to the surrounding structures were reproduced by en-face views using multiplanar reformations (MPR).

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Objective: This study aimed to identify predictors of internal medicine patients' readmission to hospital, using Andersen's behavioral model.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 2622 patients aged ≥18 years, who were admitted to internal medicine wards at a university hospital between 1 February 2015 and 31 January 2016. Independent variables were divided into four groups (predisposing, enabling, need, and utilization), based on Andersen's model, and included in stepwise logistic regression analysis.

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The present study was carried out with parents of 520 healthy children between the ages of 2-12 and their parents who were referred to the diet polyclinic of a hospital in Ankara. The data were collected through personal interviews. The interviews included identifying the characteristics of the child and his/her parents, anthropometric measurements, questions investigating eating status, and the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire.

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Objectives: Systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunting remains an important palliative procedure in the staged management of complex congenital heart defects. The use of heparin-bonded polytetrafluoroethylene shunts (HBPSs) should enhance graft patency. This study aimed to review the single-centre experience using HBPS in the context of congenital cardiac surgery.

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Aim: To determine the variables that affect patients' perceptions about their readiness for discharge and to elucidate the effects of these perceptions on patient outcomes such as unplanned readmission to the hospital, emergency department visits and death within 30 days after discharge.

Background: In recent years, it has become even more important to assess patients' readiness for discharge as patients tend to be discharged more quickly.

Methods: For the determination of patients' self-assessment, the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale/Short Form was utilized.

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Objective: To identify frequency of readmission after discharge from internal-medicine wards, readmission risk factors, and reasons and costs of readmission.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: A tertiary-care hospital in Turkey.

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Cellular circular RNAs (circRNAs) are generated by head-to-tail splicing and are present in all multicellular organisms studied so far. Recently, circRNAs have emerged as a large class of RNA which can function as post-transcriptional regulators. It has also been shown that many circRNAs are tissue- and stage-specifically expressed.

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Objective: Knowing the origin of the inferior phrenic artery (IPA) is important prior to surgical interventions and interventional radiological procedures related to IPA. We aimed to identify variations in the origin of IPA and to investigate the relationship between the origin of IPA and celiac axis variations using computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Materials And Methods: The CTA images of 1000 patients (737 male and 263 female, the mean age 60, range 18-94 years) were reviewed in an analysis of IPA and celiac axis variations.

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G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) is a regulator of cardiac performance and a potential therapeutic target in heart failure in the adult. Additionally, we have previously classified GRK5 as a determinant of left-right asymmetry and proper heart development using zebrafish. We thus aimed to identify GRK5 variants of functional significance by analysing 187 individuals with laterality defects (heterotaxy) that were associated with a congenital heart defect (CHD).

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This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge of healthcare workers in Kutahya (a western province of Turkey) about HCV infection and their attitudes toward patients with hepatitis C infection. A total of 335 healthcare workers working in Kutahya Evliya Celebi Research and Training Hospital were included in the study. A questionnaire evaluating demographic characteristics, level of knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers toward patients with hepatitis C infection was administered to the participants.

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Objectives: This retrospective single-centre review presents mid- and long-term results of stented biological valves (SBVs) in the pulmonary position.

Methods: Fifty-two SBVs (17 Carpentier-Edwards Supraannular; 13 Carpentier-Edwards Perimount; 12 St. Jude Medical Trifecta; 4 Sorin Mitroflow; 4 Sorin Soprano; 2 Sorin More) were implanted between 2000 and 2015.

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The relationship between body image, depression, food addiction and body mass index (BMI) and differences in these variables due to gender and field of education have not been studied extensively. This study was conducted on a total of 793 university students (20.19 ± 1.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cerebral protection during aortic arch repair can be achieved through regional cerebral perfusion (RCP) via the innominate artery, and this study focuses on blood flow in both brain hemispheres during this process.
  • Fourteen infants undergoing RCP had their cerebral blood flow assessed using advanced imaging techniques, with measurements taken during both full-flow total body perfusion (TBP) and RCP at a target temperature of 28°C.
  • Results indicated that while RCP provided near-symmetric blood flow intensity and comparable cerebral metrics between hemispheres, there was a significant decrease in regional cerebral oximetry in the right hemisphere during RCP compared to TBP, suggesting further studies are needed to evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes of RCP.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study assesses the use of the Medos Deltastream diagonal-pump (DP3) for extracorporeal support in pediatric patients, involving 27 patients and 28 procedures from 2013 to 2014.
  • The median age of patients was 278 days, with support lasting an average of 8 days, and various cannulation methods (midline sternotomy and cervical approaches) were utilized.
  • Outcomes showed high rates of successful weaning (89.3%), 30-day survival (85.7%), and hospital survival (71.4%), demonstrating that the DP3 can be tailored for effective cardiac and respiratory support in young patients.
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Background: This study evaluates the feasibility and outcomes of transmural placement of endocardial leads (TML) in patients with congenital heart disease.

Methods: Between October 2009 and May 2015, 29 TML procedures were performed in 27 patients. Leads are grouped according to their pacing site: atrial (TML-A, n = 24) or ventricular (TML-V, n = 12).

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