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BACKGROUND: Weather conditions are thought to increase the risk of stroke occurrence. But their mechanism has not yet been clarified. We investigated possible relationships between ischemic stroke and weather conditions including atmospheric pressure, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients with ischemic stroke who had been admitted to our hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2010 were enroled in this study. We investigated the relationship between daily cases and weather conditions the same day or 1, 2, and 3 days before stroke. RESULTS: A negative correlation was found between maximum wind speed and daily cases 3 days before stroke. As the relationship between daily cases and changes of weather conditions in consecutive days was evaluated, a negative correlation was found between daily cases and change of atmospheric pressure in the last 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The maximum wind speed 3 days before stroke and change of atmospheric pressure in the last 24 hours were found to increase the cases of ischemic stroke. We recommend that individuals at risk of ischemic stroke should pay more attention to preventive measures, especially on days with low maximum wind speed, on subsequent 3 days, and on days with low atmospheric pressure in the last 24 hours.
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@#BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the clinical and socio-demographic aspects of acute poisoning in 2010 in Duzce City, Northwest Anatolian Region of Turkey. METHODS: Acute poisoning was due to the intentional ingestion of drugs in young and adult people (≥16), who were treated at the Emergency Service of Duzce University Medical Hospital, Turkey from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. In this retrospective and descriptive study, 95 patients were diagnosed with intoxications and 30 of them intentionally ingested drugs to commit suicide. Records of the patients diagnosed with intoxication were obtained from the Clinical Archive of the hospital. Their diagnoses were established according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Codes X60-X84 of this classification were used to classify self-infringed drug injuries and drug poisoning. RESULTS: In this series, 35 (36.8％) patients were male and 60 patients (63.2％) female. The male/female ratio was 1.0/1.7. The mean age of the patients was 33.1±14.2 years; 17 (17.9％) patients were below 20 years old and 9 (9.5％) were older than 50 years. Of these patients, 29 (30.5％) were single, 7 (7.4％) divorced or separated, and 59 (62.1％) married. Their mean time for admission to the emergency service after the incident was 208±180 (15–660) minutes. The mean time for admission to the emergency service for patients with food intoxication after the incident was 142±160 minutes, for those with drug intoxication 173±161 minutes, for those with carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication 315±209 minutes, and for those with undefined intoxication 289±166 minutes (P=0.005). Most of the intoxication cases occurred in winter (41.1％, 39 of 95 patients). Admissions to the emergency service were most common in December and April (21 and 16 of 95 patients, respectively). Sixty-five (68.4％) cases were involved in non-deliberate poisoning, whereas 30 (31.6％) were involved in deliberate poisoning. Twenty-six of the 95 patients with acute poisonings had mortality risk at admission, however only one died from CO intoxication in the emergency service (1.1％). Suicide attempts were more common in females than in males (21 of 30 patients, 70％, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In Duzce City of Turkey, most intoxication cases occurred in winter, especially in December. They had non-deliberate poisoning, but deliberate poisoning in suicide attempts was more common in females than in males.
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BACKGROUND: Potassium permanganate is used clinically as an antiseptic and antifungal agent. Ingestion of potassium permanganate may result in damage to the upper gastrointestinal tract. Burns and ulceration of the mouth, esophagus and stomach occur due to its action. Emergency endoscopy is useful to assess the severity of damage and also to guide management.METHODS: We reported a patient presenting to the emergency department after suicidal ingestion of potassium permanganate.RESULTS: After treatment, the patient was discharged home on the 7th day after admission.CONCLUSION: Early emergency endoscopy should be considered to determine the extent of upper gastrointestinal damage in the emergency department.
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BACKGROUND: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare disease and it has different etiologies. Inherited or acquired prothrombotic state plays a key role in the development of CVT.METHODS: A 28-year-old man who presented to our emergency department with persistent headache and accompanied by complaints of nausea and vomiting over a week. Neurologic examination revealed bilateral papilledema. Brain computed tomography showed a hyperdense area on the posterior part of the occipital lobe. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography revealed thrombosis of CVT. Homozygous mutations were found for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). MTHFR CG677T gene mutation and blood tests showed elevated homocysteine levels on the etiological screening. There was no other etiology for CVT.RESULTS: Headache and other complaints were improved after treatment of heparin, warfarin, and vitamin B12. No recurrence of symptoms was observed upon outpatient follow-up.CONCLUSION: Since CVT is an important cause of headache, we recommend etiology screening for patients who present with CVT for MTHFR gene mutations and family counseling should be provided.
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BACKGROUND: Traumatic bilateral hip dislocation is a rare condition. Anterior shoulder dislocation combined with this condition is even a rare occurrence. A 57-year-old man had bilateral asymmetric hip dislocation with a posterior wall fracture of the left acetabulum associated with right shoulder anterior dislocation caused by falling down from a cherry tree. Traumatic hip dislocation and anterior shoulder dislocation represent a true orthopedic emergency. METHODS: Closed reduction was performed immediately for three of the dislocated joints. Posterior wall fracture of the left acetabulum was treated with open reduction and internal fixation by screws. Because of the severity of associated complications like aseptic necrosis or posttraumatic osteoarthritis, efforts were made to ensure prompt diagnosis, therapy and prognosis. RESULTS: The patient was successfully treated by open reduction and internal fixation of the left acetabulum, and discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Traumatic asymmetric hip dislocation and anterior shoulder dislocation are an orthopedic emergency and early diagnosis with immediate reduction of the dislocation is the key determinants of excellent result of treatment.
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OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of Urtica dioica on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Thirty adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham group (group 1), control group (group 2), and Urtica dioica group (group 3). All the rats were exposed to hepatic ischemia for 60 min, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. In group 2, a total of 2 ml/kg 0.9 percent saline solution was given intraperitoneally. In group 3, a total of 2 ml/kg Urtica dioica was given intraperitoneally. At the end of the procedure, liver tissue and blood samples were taken from all rats. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, ceruloplasmin, catalase, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and lipid hydroperoxide levels were measured. Liver tissue histopathologies were also evaluated by light microscopy. RESULTS: Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1, and significantly lower in group 3 than in group 2. Also, group 2 had higher serum lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin levels but lower catalase, paraoxonase, and arylesterase levels than group 1. In group 3, serum lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin levels were significantly lower, and catalase, paraoxonase, and arylesterase levels were higher than those in group 2. Histopathological examination showed that liver tissue damage was significantly decreased in group 3 compared with group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Urtica dioica has a protective effect on the liver in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion-injured rats.