Analysis of prognostic factors in pT1-2 N1 lung cancer patients in the light surgical results.

Nodal metastasis status is an important parameter affecting the prognosis in lung cancer. Although surgical treatment is possible in most cases of N1 positive non-small cell lung cancer, this group of patients is clinically, radiologically and histologically heterogeneous. The aim of our study is to investigate the prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with pT1-2 N1 who underwent lung resection.

Novel method for bronchial stump coverage for prevents postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula: pedicled thymopericardial fat flap.

Background: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a serious complication with high mortality and morbidity that can be seen after lung resections. Although several methods have been described to prevent postoperative BPF it is still unclear which method is the best. In this study, we have used tymopericardial fat flap (TPFF) to cover the bronchial stump in patients after pneumonectomy and aim to show its feasibility and efficacy to prevent BPF.

Pitfalls in the surgical treatment of undiagnosed lung lesions and cystic pulmonary hydatidosis.

Background: Hydatid cysts can mimic many lung pathologies radiologically, as well as some malignant or benign lung tumors may show hydatid cyst-like radiological features. The aim of our study is to present our clinical experience and recommendations by analyzing the cases that create diagnostic difficulties by presenting a common radiological pattern with a pulmonary hydatid cyst.

Methods: The patients who were operated on with a preliminary diagnosis of hydatid cyst but were diagnosed differently, and who were operated on with different prediagnoses and unexpectedly diagnosed with hydatid cyst were included in the study.

Reliability and Validity of a New Computer-Based Triage Decision Support Tool: ANKUTRIAGE.

Objective: Triage is a tool used to determine patients' severity of illness or injury within minutes of arrival. This study aims to assess the reliability and validity of a new computer-based triage decision support tool, ANKUTRIAGE, prospectively.

Methods: ANKUTRIAGE, a 5-level triage tool was established considering 2 major factors, patient's vital signs and characteristics of the admission complaint.

The effects of catechol-O-methyltransferase single nucleotide polymorphisms on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is thought to have an important role in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia, but there are conflicting results regarding its role in clinical presentation. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COMT gene and the severity of positive and negative symptoms. In order to investigate the relationship, the PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were screened for eligible articles.

Annual pattern and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in immunocompetent children in a rural area.

This study aims to investigate the clinical signs, symptoms, complications and seasonal distribution of herpes zoster for otherwise healthy children and to demonstrate the outcome of varicella vaccinations on the herpes zoster incidence in a pediatric population. A retrospective study was conducted by using the data of the pediatric patients who were referred to two rural cities of Turkey, clinically diagnosed as Herpes Zoster (HZ). All participants were evaluated for clinical-epidemiological factors, signs, symptoms, complications and varicella vaccination status for HZ.

Keratoconus: a potential risk factor for osteoarthritis.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the distal femoral cartilage thickness in patients with keratoconus (KC) with that of age- and sex-matched healthy controls, in order to identify a potential risk factor for early osteoarthritis in patients with KC and to allow initiation of early rehabilitation.

Methods: Thirty-six KC patients between 18 and 35 years of age and 36 healthy controls were included in this study. Keratometry readings (K1, K2), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle (ICA), and corneal volumes (CV) were measured using a Sirius imaging system (Costruzioni Strumenti Oftalmici, Italy).

Assessment of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with mitral stenosis: A speckle tracking study.

Purpose: Although it is affected at an early stage, there is a lack of studies investigating right ventricular (RV) function in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). We aimed to investigate the correlation between conventional echocardiographic variables and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), used as an indicator of RV dysfunction.

Methods: We enrolled 59 consecutive patients with MS and assigned them in group 1 if TAPSE ≤16, or group 2 if: TAPSE >16.

Normal echocardiographic measurements in a Turkish population: The Healthy Heart ECHO-TR Trial.

Objective: Normal reference values for the cardiac chambers are widely based on cohorts from European or American populations. In this study, we aimed to obtain normal echocardiographic measurements of healthy Turkish volunteers to reveal the age, gender, and geographical region dependent differences between Turkish populations and other populations.

Methods: Among 31 collaborating institutions from all regions of Turkey, 1154 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study.

Could Platelet Indices and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Be New Biomarkers for Differentiation of Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Neuropathy from Non-Arteritic Type?

The aim of this study was to assess the possible relationship between AAION (arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) and NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) with blood platelet parameters and NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). The medical records of 12 patients with AAION, 33 patients with NAION, and 35 healthy subjects were examined. MPV, PDW, and PCT values showed marked elevation in AAION and NAION groups compared with control group.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Its Correlation With Retinal Layer Thicknesses.

Purpose: To determine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in serum and aqueous humor (AH) and to assess the relationship between BDNF levels and retinal layer thicknesses in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: A total of 48 AMD patients (AMD group) that was composed of twenty-three nonexudative and 25 exudative patients and 26 control subjects (control group) were included in the study. Serum and AH BDNF levels were assessed by ELISA method.

Train-of-four guard-controlled sugammadex reversal in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. It is known that the disease, which is manifested by a wide variety of symptoms, may exacerbate after anesthesia and show different responses to muscle relaxants in the normal population. It is planned to measure train-of-four (TOF) values of MS patients to be operated under general anesthesia before sugammadex application.

Full Thickness Retinal Hole Formation after Nd:YAG Laser Hyaloidotomy in a Case with Valsalva Retinopathy.

A 27-year-old male was presented with a sudden onset of visual loss in his right eye. A secondary care center referred the patient with fundus photographs which were screened 4 days before and after the Nd: YAG laser hyaloidotomy treatment. Snellen acuity was 10/10 in both eyes.

Comparison of anterior segment parameters in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, and normal subjects.

Purpose: To compare the anterior segment parameters of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and normal subjects.

Methods: This prospective, controlled, comparative study included 150 eyes of 150 patients. The patients were divided into the pseudoexfoliation syndrome group, the pseudoexfoliation glaucoma group, and the control group (50 patients in each group).

Influence of visual information on consent for invasive procedures in intensive care unit.

Objective: Patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICU) are critically ill. Sometimes informed consent for invasive procedures cannot be obtained from patients or relatives due to insufficient information.

Methodology: Relatives of the patients who were being hospitalized in ICUs of state hospitals in 3 provinces in Eastern part of Turkey during year 2015, who were planned to undergo central venous catheter insertion, tracheostomy, and percutaneous gastroenterostomy (PGE) were asked to sign consent forms and these relatives were included in the study.

Static and Dynamic Pupillary Characteristics in Clinically Unilateral Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform a comparison of static and dynamic pupillometry measurements in patients with clinically unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) and age-matched controls.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study consisted of 38 patients with unilateral PES and 40 control participants. A quantitative pupillometry system was used to evaluate the pupil characteristics of eyes with PES (group 1), clinically unaffected fellow eyes (group 2), and healthy eyes (group 3).

Could corneal densitometry be used as a diagnostic and screening tool for ocular involvement in patients with gout?

Purpose: To evaluate the corneal and tear film characteristics in patients with gout and compare these data with those of healthy subjects and to investigate the correlation of corneal densitometry with uric acid value and duration of disease.

Methods: Forty-one eyes of 41 patients with gout (group 1) and 40 eyes of 40 healthy subjects (group 2) were included in this study. Detailed ophthalmologic examinations were performed on all participants.

Pontine bleeding following drainage of subdural hematoma in craniospinal hypotension.

Craniospinal hypotension is the syndrome of orthostatic headache associated with low cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Imaging findings are usually explained by Monro-Kellie hypothesis stating that the craniospinal compartment is incompressible and any increase in volume of one of the craniospinal constituents (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and parenchyma) must be compensated by a decrease in volume of another constituent or vice versa. We report a case of craniospinal hypotension in whom drainage of subdural hematoma upon clinical impairments resulted in pontine hemorrhage, supporting Monro-Kellie hypothesis.

Assessment of corneal backward light scattering in the healthy cornea and factors affecting corneal transparency.

Purpose: To quantify normative corneal optical density (COD) values of healthy individuals and to investigate alterations in the COD in relation to their ocular and demographic characteristics.

Study Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, and observational.

Methods: In total, 588 eyes from 588 healthy participants with clear corneas were consecutively enrolled.

Mirror image of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy in identical twins.

Purpose: To report the identical twins who had mirror fundus and angiographic images of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR).

Case Presentation: A pair of 16 year old female twins presented with mirror-image asymmetry of monocular decreased vision. The twins were born full term with normal weights.

Quantitative evaluation of early retinal changes in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus without retinopathy.

Background: To investigate whether abnormal glucose metabolism and duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) caused the thinning in retinal layers in children with type 1 DM without retinopathy by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to compare the results obtained with those in healthy children.

Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study included 73 patients with type 1 DM (DM group) and 62 age-matched control subjects (control group). The duration of DM and the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of the diabetic children were recorded.

Intravitreal aflibercept for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization associated with rubella retinopathy.

Purpose: To report a case of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with rubella retinopathy (RR) treated with intravitreal aflibercept.

Case Presentation: A 15-year-old girl presented a complaint of visual decrease in her left eye. She had a history of hearing decrease since she was 1 year old in addition to patent ductus arteriosus.