Microscopic Unilateral Approach for Bilateral Decompression of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Background: This is a study based on single-surgeon data on spinal stenosis surgery via microscopic approach. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of the unilateral approach to bilateral decompression and the usage of Taylor retractors and brain spatula in patients with spinal stenosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective study on bilateral decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis using a microscopic unilateral approach by a single surgeon, between April 2015 and March 2018.

Synthesis and Optimization of the Docetaxel-Loaded and Durvalumab-Targeted Human Serum Albumin Nanoparticles, In Vitro Characterization on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tends to behave more aggressively compared to other breast cancer subtypes due to the lack of receptors and its limited targeting therapy. In recent years, nanotechnology advancement has led to the development of various nanoparticle platforms for the targeted treatment of cancers. Especially, HSA-NPs have specific advantages such as biocompatibility, adjustable size during production, and relatively easy synthesis.

The effect of P53 expression and smoking/alcohol in P16(+) and P16(-) oropharyngeal carcinoma and risk classification: the Turkish Society of Radiation Oncology Head & Neck Study Group 01-002.

Objective: The aim of this study is to categorize the risk groups of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) according to p16 and p53 status, smoking/alcohol consumption history, and other prognostic factors.

Study Design: The immunostaining of p16 and p53 of 290 patients was retrospectively evaluated. The history of smoking/alcohol consumption of each patient was noted.

Green Carbon Dots: Synthesis, Characterization, Properties and Biomedical Applications.

Carbon dots (CDs) are a new category of crystalline, quasi-spherical fluorescence, "zero-dimensional" carbon nanomaterials with a spatial size between 1 nm to 10 nm and have gained widespread attention in recent years. Green CDs are carbon dots synthesised from renewable biomass such as agro-waste, plants or medicinal plants and other organic biomaterials. Plant-mediated synthesis of CDs is a green chemistry approach that connects nanotechnology with the green synthesis of CDs.

The PURPLE N study: objective and perceived nutritional status in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: To obtain information on characteristics, management, current objective nutritional status and perception of nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy (CP) from healthcare professionals (HCPs) and caregivers.

Materials And Methods: A detailed survey of several items on eight main topics (general characteristics, motor function, comorbidities, therapies, anthropometry, feeding mode and problems and perceived nutritional status) was developed and tested for the study. Correlation between nutritional status and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels was assessed using continuous variables (Z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height, and body mass index-for-age), and categorical variables (being malnourished, stunted, or wasted).

Evaluation of proximal humeral epiphysis ossification in 3.0 T MR images according to the Dedouit staging method: Is it be used for age of majority?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for forensic age estimation is among the research issues since it does not lead to radiation exposure. In this study, the ossification stage of the proximal humeral epiphysis was determined retrospectively in 178 male and 109 female individuals in the 12 to 30-year age group using 3.0 T MRI.

Losartan ameliorates ovarian ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats: an experimental study.

This study aimed to investigate the protective and antioxidant role of losartan in ovarian ischaemia and ischaemia/reperfusion injury in an experimental ovarian torsion model. Thirty adult female rats were used. Rats were separated randomly into five groups; Group 1: sham group (abdominal wall was only opened and closed), Group 2: torsion group with 3-hour ischaemia using atraumatic vascular clips.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Eyes with Non-infectious Posterior Uveitis; Some Practical Aspects.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is an innovative imaging technology enabling clinicians to learn more about the pathophysiology of disease processes as it facilitates visualization of the retinal and choroidal circulation without injection of a dye. Also it provides ample qualitative and quantitative data on the vascular supply. OCTA has become an important tool nowadays in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with age-related macular degeneration, inherited chorioretinal diseases, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusive diseases and optic nerve disorders.

Street drug use among emergency patients in a Public Hospital in Turkey.

Background: Country-specific numbers of street drug (SD) users are well documented. However, little data exists regarding these patients' clinical presentations and outcomes in the emergency department (ED). Therefore, management of these patients in the emergency setting is still a subject of debate.

The evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of wrist examination findings for predicting fractures.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of physical examination findings and functional tests in adult acute wrist trauma patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) and to create a reliable and practical clinical decision rule for determining the necessity of radiography in wrist trauma.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary ED. Each patient was checked for 18 physical examination findings and functional tests.

Comparison of the presence of fragmented QRS complexes in the inferior versus the anterior leads for predicting coronary artery disease severity.

Introduction: Fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) are a sign of myocardial scar and are associated with adverse outcomes and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, little is known about the significance of fQRS or of their localization on electrocardiography (ECG) in patients without known CAD. We aimed to investigate the association between localization of fQRS on ECG and CAD severity in patients undergoing a first diagnostic coronary angiography.

Comparison of umbilical cord ghrelin concentrations in full-term pregnant women with or without gestational diabetes.

Purpose: Ghrelin is a potent orexigenic peptide hormone secreted from the gastrointestinal tract that plays a crucial role in the regulation of lipids and glucose metabolism. Ghrelin also has links with fetal development and growth. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) causes fetal macrosomia, but there is no available evidence of a relationship between ghrelin levels and birth weight in women with GDM.

Impact of anxiety level on circadian rhythm of blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Introduction: Considering the high prevalence rates and growing incidences of hypertension (HT) and anxiety disorders in the modern world, a full understanding of anxiety's relationship to HT is crucial. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of anxiety level on circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients.

Material And Method: This cross-sectional study included 160 previously diagnosed essential hypertensive patients (80 female, 80 male, mean age: 55.

Serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children with invasive diseases in Turkey: 2008-2014.

Successful vaccination policies for protection from invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) dependent on determination of the exact serotype distribution in each country. We aimed to identify serotypes of pneumococcal strains causing IPD in children in Turkey and emphasize the change in the serotypes before and after vaccination with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) was included and PCV-13 was newly changed in Turkish National Immunization Program. Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were isolated at 22 different hospitals of Turkey, which provide healthcare services to approximately 65% of the Turkish population.

Evaluation of kinesthetic sense and hand function in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the functional ability and kinesthetic sense of the hands of women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-seven women experiencing lymphedema after breast surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy were included. The patients were divided into two groups: women with hand edema (HE+, n = 29) and without hand edema (HE-, n = 28) after breast cancer treatment.

Simple clinical risk score for no-reflow prediction in patients undergoing primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with acute STEMI.

Objectives: To identify the STEMI patients at high risk in terms of no-reflow during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a simple risk score system that can be used before reperfusion.

Methods: Total 173 patients who had undergone primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention following the diagnosis of STEMI, were classified as "no-reflow" developers and "no-reflow" non-developers, during the procedure. The pre-procedural ECGs, laboratory parameters, demographic data, time for the treatment, and the treatment methods were evaluated with univariate analysis.

Effect of a spinal brace on postural control in different sensory conditions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a preliminary analysis.

Background: Despite the positive effects of spinal braces on postural stability, they may constrain movement, resulting in poor balance control in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Therefore, assessment of postural dynamics may aid in designing new less-constraining braces.

Objectives: The effects of a spinal brace on postural stability and Cobb angle were investigated in this study.

Subclinical hypothyroidism: Comparison of adhesion molecule levels before and after levothyroxine therapy.

Objective: Adhesion molecules are involved in inflammation, atherosclerosis and malignancy. This study measured levels of adhesion molecules before and after levothyroxine therapy in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SHO).

Methods: Levels of soluble (s) intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, s vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM) VCAM-1 and sE-selectin were analysed in patients diagnosed with SHO, prior to administration of 50 µg/day levothyroxine orally for 3 months.

Prevalence of Prader-Willi syndrome among infants with hypotonia.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in infants with hypotonia between the ages of 0 and 2 years.

Study Design: Karyotyping studies were performed in all infants with hypotonia. The study group was composed of infants with hypotonia for whom the karyotyping was found to be normal.

Identifying factors associated with low back pain among employees working at a package producing industry.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with Low Back Pain (LBP) among employee working at a package producing industry.

Methods: A sample of 111 male blue-collar workers, between the ages of 18 to 50 years old and 31 white-collar workers between the ages of 17 to 50 years old completed a questionnaire which included demographic data, educational level, participation in sports activities, activity, postural habits, smoking, work conditions lifting and bending activities during the workday strenuous arm position and questions related with low back pain (LBP). The isometric strength of back muscles were measured using a dynamometer.

Performance of response scales of activity and functional measures of ankylosing spondylitis: numerical rating scale versus visual analog scale.

The aim of this study was to compare the performance characteristics of two answer modalities for BASDAI and BASFI in patients with AS and to show validity and reliability of NRS in Turkish version. BASDAI and BASFI were simultaneously employed with a 10-cm VAS and an 11-point NRS. Internal consistency was assessed by using Cronbach's alpha coefficients.

Clinical and diagnostic characteristics of hyperprolactinemia in childhood and adolescence.

Pituitary adenoma is the most common cause of hyperprolactinemia, which is a rare endocrine disorder encountered in pediatric patient care. Epidemiological and clinical information about hyperprolactinemia in childhood and adolescence is limited. Clinical signs of hyperprolactinemia are very heterogeneous.