Clinical effects of suprascapular nerve block in addition to intra-articular corticosteroid injection in the early stages of adhesive capsulitis: A singleblind, randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short and long-term effects of the combination of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IAI) on pain, shoulder range of motion (ROM), disability, and quality of life in the management of patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). METHODS: Forty patients (ages 30-70 years) who were diagnosed with AC stages 1 and 2 were randomlyassigned to one of two groups: Group-1 received IAI and SSNB combination, while group-2 only-IAI. Both groups started a three-week rehabilitation program after the intervention. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), active and passive shoulder ROMs, and the Short Form 36(SF-36) were assessed by a physiatrist who was blinded to the allocation at baseline and three weeks, three months, and twelve months. The NRS and shoulder ROMs were also examined in the first hour. RESULTS: Nineteen patients from each group with mean ages of 55.84±2.19 (15 females, 4 males) and51.79 ± 1.58 (14 females, 5 males) were included. Within the groups, SPADI and NRS scores were decreased, while active and passive ROMs and the physical function, physical role, and bodily pain domains of SF-36 were increased by time (P < 0.05). Between the groups, the change in NRS value and active flexion in the first hour was more remarkable in group 1 (P < 0.05). No significant difference between outcome measurements was found at the 3rd week, 3rd month, and 12th month (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SSNB as an adjunct to IAI in AC positively affected the immediate pain relief and functional improvement after the intervention; however, it did not yield any additional benefit in the short and long-terms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, Therapeutic Study.

The determination of E. coli levels and pathotypes in water sources around Isparta province Turkey.

In this study, a total of 57 water samples were collected over different months around the Isparta region. The levels of total and fecal coliform in these water samples were determined. According to an analysis of the results, although the pollution level of these water sources are not high in terms of their total coliform counts, they cannot be used as drinking water. In the water samples taken from Andik Creek, Dari Creek  Dam, and Egirdir Lake, fecal counts were found to be similar to each other, it is possible to use these waters after refinement. However fecal coliform levels are high in water samples taken from Bezirgan Creek, and these waters cannot be used as drinking water. After the total and fecal coliform counts were determined, the most probable colonies that can be identified to be E. coli were chosen and confirmation tests were performed. In total, 397 colonies were isolated from water samples, and 55 of those were confirmed as E. coli strains. Also, 151 strains were determined to be part of the coliform group. E. coli strains were studied with a real-time PCR to determine some virulence genes. Analysis of the results showed that 29.2% of E. coli strains contained enteropathogenic/enterohemorrhagic E. coli virulence genes, and 14.5% of the isolated E. coli strains contained verotoxigenic E. coli virulence factors. Enteroinvasive E. coli virulence genes were contained in 1.8% of the E. coli strains, and it was found that 54.5% of the isolated E. coli strains contained none of the gene regions investigated.

Frequency of genetic mutations associated with thromboembolism in the Western Black Sea Region.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the prevalences of important genetic causes of thromboembolism for the first time in the western Black Sea Region of Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-eight patients diagnosed early with thrombophilia were included in the study. The samples were genotyped using real-time LightCycler. RESULTS: Of the 188 patients, 179 (95.2%) had one or more mutations. The frequencies of Factor V (FV) Leiden (FVL, G1691A), FV H1299R (A1299G), Factor II (FII G20210A), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C were 11.7%, 5.6%, 2.5%, 30.4% and 39.1%, respectively. FV1691A was commonly represented in deep venous thrombosis (34.2%). The highest frequencies of FV1299G and FII20210A were in the vascular headache and deep venous thrombosis groups (10% and 10.5%, respectively). MTHFR677T was common in the pulmonary embolism (37%). MTHFR1298C frequency was 55.9% in recurrent abortus. Within-group comparisons yielded significant differences in the distributions of the FVL and FV H1299R mutations (p=0.002 and p=0.039, respectively). CONCLUSION: There were significant positive associations between venous thromboembolism and FVL and FV H1299R. FVL mutation in DVT may be an important predisposing factor that needs to be tested routinely in this population.