Factors affecting anxiety, depression, and stress among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma during COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic disease whose treatments are limited may experience depression, anxiety, and stress-related symptoms, as well as an increase in the levels of these conditions. This study aims to determine the factors affecting the depression, stress, and anxiety levels of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients due to the fear of COVID-19 exposure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 118 patients with advanced HCC treated with non-transplant treatment options or on the waiting list due to the lack of a donor were enrolled. To evaluate the stress, depression, and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 process, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were administered to 118 patients through a face-to-face interview. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded, and the primary endpoint measure was the total score of DASS. In addition, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) model was constructed to predict the scores of the DASS-21 total. RESULTS: There were significant differences between DASS depression (p=0.010; p=0.030) DASS anxiety (p=0.010; p=0.010) and DASS total (p=0.046; p=0.023) scores in terms of gender and protective effect of the vaccine. Also, a significant difference between gender for the CAS scale was determined (p=0.044). The median score of the DASS total in the COVID-19 group was higher than in the non-COVID-19 group; however, the increase was not significant. MLP model revealed that chronic disease, gender, age, place of residence, smoking, type of vaccine, and COVID-19 exposure were the most important predictors for the DASS total. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic disease, gender, and age were prominent factors in predicting the DASS-21 total score in HCC patients. Therefore, the crucial factors were clinically considered for managing depression, stress, and anxiety in HCC patients.

Rotating Binary Bose-Einstein Condensates and Vortex Clusters in Quantum Droplets.

Quantum droplets may form out of a gaseous Bose-Einstein condensate, stabilized by quantum fluctuations beyond mean field. Determining the ground state of a rotating binary condensate, we show that multiple singly quantized vortices may form in these droplets at moderate angular momenta in two dimensions. Droplets carrying these precursors of an Abrikosov lattice remain self-bound for certain timescales after switching off an initial harmonic confinement. Intriguingly, we find evidence of a metastable persistent current in these new types of binary condensates. We discuss how this finding can be used to experimentally generate vortex-carrying quantum droplets.

Comparison of the mechanical properties of platelet-rich fibrin and ankaferd blood stopper-loaded platelet-rich fibrin.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) can be named as a natural fibrin-based biomaterial favorable to increasing vascularization and able to guide epithelial cell migration to its surface. The membrane has a significant positive effect on protecting open wounds and accelerating healing. Similar to PRF Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) also has positive effects on wound healing. The aim of this study was to detect if we can improve known physical properties of PRF combining with ABS. This idea was based on the known mechanism of ABS in forming protein network without damaging any blood cells. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 adult rabbits used for collecting 5-7 ml of blood passively with the help of winged blood collection needle to the test tube. Collected samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min. Two similar samples obtained from each animal and one of the samples was placed in 20% ABS 80% saline solution for 5 min. Mechanical properties of the membrane samples were measured using Universal Testing Machine. Results: There is the statistically significant difference between PRF and ABS added PRF in elongation/mm (dL) and elongation/% at break values. Maximum force (fMax) and modulus values did not show any statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: ABS loaded PRF causes better physical properties. This combination seems to exhibit superior performance when used as a membrane barrier solely. Advanced studies can be done on biological properties of ABS loaded PRF, especially on tissue healing.

The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma gel in MRSA-related surgical wound infection treatment: an experimental study in an animal model.

INTRODUCTION: The wound healing properties of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel have been documented in many studies. PRP gel has also become a promising agent for treating surgical site infections. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity and wound healing effectiveness of PRP in an animal model of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (MRSA N315)-contaminated superficial soft tissue wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subcutaneous wounds in Wistar Albino male rats were created by making two cm midline incisions followed by inoculation of microorganisms. Study groups comprised of Sham (no treatment), PRP alone, MRSA alone, MRSA + PRP, MRSA + Vancomycin, and MRSA + Vancomycin + PRP groups. We inoculated 0.1 mL (3 × 108 CFU/mL) of MRSA in contaminated groups. After 8 days, all rats were killed, wounds were excised and subjected to histopathologic examination, and MRSA counts were determined. RESULTS: MRSA counts in MRSA, MRSA + PRP, MRSA + Vancomycin and MRSA + Vancomycin + PRP groups were 5.1 × 106 (SD ± 0.4) CFU/mL, 4.3 × 106 (SD ± 0.7) CFU/mL, 2.3 × 106 (SD ± 0.3) CFU/mL, 1.1 × 106 (SD ± 0.4) CFU/mL, respectively. The inflammation scores of MRSA + PRP, MRSA + Vancomycin, and MRSA + Vancomycin + PRP groups were significantly lower than the MRSA group. MRSA + Vancomycin + PRP group inflammation score was significantly lower than the MRSA + PRP group. DISCUSSION: All treatment groups were effective in wound healing and decreasing the MRSA counts. MRSA + PRP combined created identical inflammation scores to the PRP group. More in vivo studies are required to corroborate these findings.

Radiological and audiometric evaluation of high jugular bulb and dehiscent high jugular bulb.

OBJECTIVE: To inform on the incidence of high jugular bulb and dehiscent high jugular bulb, and the symptoms related to these vascular anomalies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of temporal bone computed tomography scans of 3285 patients who attended our clinic with various symptoms. The medical records of patients with high jugular bulb and dehiscent high jugular bulb were analysed, and the clinical findings reviewed. Patients with dehiscent high jugular bulb were evaluated for hearing loss with pure tone audiometry. RESULTS: High jugular bulb was evident in 730 patients (22 per cent) (510 right-sided, 220 left-sided; p < 0.01). Twenty-six high jugular bulb patients had dehiscent high jugular bulb. Ten of these 26 patients had vertigo, 15 had tinnitus and 1 had hearing disturbance. Ten dehiscent high jugular bulb patients had undergone pure tone audiometry: seven patients had conductive hearing loss, two had sensorineural hearing loss and one had mixed hearing loss. CONCLUSION: The incidences of high jugular bulb and dehiscent high jugular bulb were 22 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively. Tinnitus was the most common symptom of all patients. Dehiscent high jugular bulb was associated with various degrees of hearing loss, but not hearing disturbance.

Detection of bone metastases in breast cancer patients in the PET/CT era: do we still need the bone scan? / La detección de metástasis óseas en pacientes con cáncer de mama en la era de PET/TAC: ¿necesitamos todavía la gammagrafía ósea?

Aim. To examine the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for the detection of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients and assess whether whole body bone scan (BS) with 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate provides any additional information. Material and Methods. Study group comprised 150 patients, mean age 52 years (range 27-85) with breast cancer, suspected of having bone metastases. All patients had undergone both FDG-PET/CT and BS with or without single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) within a period of 6 weeks. The final diagnosis of bone metastasis was established by histopathological findings, additional imaging, or clinical follow-up longer than 10 months. Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) and carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) were measured in all patients. Results. Histologically 83%, 7% and 10% had infiltrating ductal, lobular and mixed carcinoma respectively. Confirmed bone metastases were present in 86 patients (57.3%) and absent in 64 (42.7%). Mean CA15-3 and CEA values in patients with bone metastases were 74.6 ng/mL and 60.4 U/mL respectively, compared to 21.3 ng/mL and 3.2 U/mL without metastases (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of FDG-PET/CT for the detection of bone metastases was 97.6% compared to 89.5% with SPECT/CT. In 57 patients, FDG-PET/CT correctly identified additional pulmonary, hepatic, nodal and other soft tissue metastases, not detected by BS. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that FDG-PET/CT is superior to BS with or without SPECT/CT (AU)

Objetivo. Para examinar el valor de la 18F-fluorodeoxiglucosa Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones y de la Tomografía Axial Computerizada (FDG-PET/TAC) para la detección de metástasis óseas en pacientes con cáncer de mama y evaluar si el rastreo gammagráfico óseo (GO) con 99mTc-difosfonato de metileno proporciona cualquier información adicional. Material y métodos. El grupo de estudio estuvo integrado por 150 pacientes, media de edad 52 años (rango 27-85) con cáncer de mama y sospecha de metástasis óseas. Todas las pacientes tenían FDG-PET/TAC y GO con o sin SPECT/TAC en un plazo de 6 semanas. El diagnóstico final de metástasis óseas fue establecido por los resultados histopatológicos, los estudios adicionales de imagen o el seguimiento clínico superior a 10 meses. En todas las pacientes se determinaron los niveles séricos de CA 15-3 y antígeno carcinoembrionario (CEA). Resultados. Histológicamente, 83%, 7% y 10% tenían carcinoma ductal infiltrante, lobular y mixto respectivamente. Las metástasis óseas confirmadas estuvieron presentes en 86 pacientes (57.3%) y ausentes en 64 (42.7%). Los valores medios de CA15-3 y CEA en pacientes con metástasis óseas fueron 74.6 ng/mL y 60.4 U/mL, respectivamente, en comparación con 21,3 ng/mL y 3,2 U/mL sin metástasis (p <0,001). La sensibilidad de la FDG-PET/TAC para la detección de metástasis óseas fue del 97,6% en comparación con el 89,5%, para la SPECT/TAC. En 57 pacientes, la FDG-PET/TAC identificó correctamente metástasis adicionales pulmonares, hepáticas, ganglios linfáticos y partes blandas, no detectadas por GO. Conclusión. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la FDG-PET/TAC es superior a GO con o sin SPECT/TAC (AU)

Detection of bone metastases in breast cancer patients in the PET/CT era: Do we still need the bone scan?

AIM: To examine the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for the detection of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients and assess whether whole body bone scan (BS) with (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate provides any additional information. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study group comprised 150 patients, mean age 52 years (range 27-85) with breast cancer, suspected of having bone metastases. All patients had undergone both FDG-PET/CT and BS with or without single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) within a period of 6 weeks. The final diagnosis of bone metastasis was established by histopathological findings, additional imaging, or clinical follow-up longer than 10 months. Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) and carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) were measured in all patients. RESULTS: Histologically 83%, 7% and 10% had infiltrating ductal, lobular and mixed carcinoma respectively. Confirmed bone metastases were present in 86 patients (57.3%) and absent in 64 (42.7%). Mean CA15-3 and CEA values in patients with bone metastases were 74.6ng/mL and 60.4U/mL respectively, compared to 21.3ng/mL and 3.2U/mL without metastases (p<0.001). The sensitivity of FDG-PET/CT for the detection of bone metastases was 97.6% compared to 89.5% with SPECT/CT. In 57 patients, FDG-PET/CT correctly identified additional pulmonary, hepatic, nodal and other soft tissue metastases, not detected by BS. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that FDG-PET/CT is superior to BS with or without SPECT/CT.

Mirror Image Gerbode or Partial Atrioventricular Canal Defect?

Gebode defect, that can accurately be treated surgical repair, is defined as a true communication between left ventricle and right atrium. A 74-year-old woman with a worsening history of ortophnea and peripheral edema was hospitalised. A communication between right atrium and left ventricle was diagnosed using transeusophageal echocardiography. The defect was repaired and mitral valve was replaced with a biologic valve. It would be beter to tailor surgical strategy for each case with atrioventricular canal defect after preoperative transeusophageal echocardiography and peroperative direct sight.

Density-Functional Theory for Strongly Correlated Bosonic and Fermionic Ultracold Dipolar and Ionic Gases.

We introduce a density functional formalism to study the ground-state properties of strongly correlated dipolar and ionic ultracold bosonic and fermionic gases, based on the self-consistent combination of the weak and the strong coupling limits. Contrary to conventional density functional approaches, our formalism does not require a previous calculation of the interacting homogeneous gas, and it is thus very suitable to treat systems with tunable long-range interactions. Because of its asymptotic exactness in the regime of strong correlation, the formalism works for systems in which standard mean-field theories fail.

Emmetropization, visual acuity, and strabismus outcomes among hyperopic infants followed with partial hyperopic corrections given in accordance with dynamic retinoscopy.

OBJECT: To record emmetropization, visual acuity, and strabismus outcomes among hyperopic infants followed with partial hyperopic corrections given in accordance with dynamic retinoscopy (DR). METHODS: Infants (3.5-12 months of age) with ≥5 D hyperopia were followed without glasses or partial hyperopic corrections prescribed according to their near dynamic accommodative abilities determined by DR responses at the initial visit and follow-ups. Refraction and binocular accommodative ability assessments were made at 3-month intervals up to the age of 1 and at 6-month intervals afterwards for a mean 35.4±2.1 months; main outcome measures being the development of esotropia, emmetropization rate, and visual acuity level after emmetropization period. RESULTS: Among 211, 146 were normal accommodators initially (Group 1). These infants were followed without treatment and none presented with strabismus. Sixty-five infants were hypo-accommodators (Group 2) and received minimum DR-based corrections. Of the 65 infants 31 (48%) developed strabismus (Group 2B). The remaining 34 constituted Group 2A. Each of the three groups showed an overall reduction of hyperopia by 0.37±0.25 days per year, 0.50±0.28 days per year, and 0.60±0.20 days per year, respectively. Visual acuity assessments among Groups 1 and 2A revealed normal values (0.2-0.0 LogMAR); among Group 2B 19% were within normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Binocular accommodative behavior at the initial visit seems to be one of the indicators for pointing out infants at risk of developing strabismus and amblyopia. Prescription of DR-based corrections to hyperopic orthotropic infants does not impede emmetropization and result in normal visual acuities after emmetropization period.

Hepatic microcirculation in inflow and inflow-outflow occlusion of the liver.

BACKGROUND: Total vascular exclusion (TVE) causes warm liver ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of injury caused by inflow-outflow obstruction in the rat liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar-Albino rats were divided into three groups: liver inflow occlusion (Group A), inflow-outflow occlusion (Group B) and intermittent inflow-outflow occlusion applied for 15 minutes. Microcirculation was measured with laser Doppler flowmetry during the procedure. Samples for biochemical and histopathological analyses were collected at the end of the ischemia period. RESULTS: Significant alterations in microcirculation were determined by application of vascular control maneuvers. Microcirculation in the central and dome segments were affected adversely compared with the dome segments in all experimental groups. TVE induced severe disturbances in hepatic microcirculation with more prominent hepatocellular damage. Damage to central segments of the rat liver was more prominent with inflow occlusion; whereas inflow-outflow occlusion produced more prominent damage to dome segments. Intermittent application of TVE clamping was associated with more hepatocellular damage compared with continuous TVE. CONCLUSION: Our mapping methodology within the liver parenchyma suggested that hepatovenous back-perfusion is a principle source of continuity of microcirculation in the rat liver during inflow occlusion. Inflow-outflow occlusion caused more tissue damage compared with inflow occlusion. Ischemic preconditioning during TVE did not increase the tolerance of the liver against ischemia.

Replacement of the ascending aorta for severe atherosclerosis during coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the present study, we investigated the benefit of ascending aorta replacement in patients with severe aortic atherosclerosis who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). METHODS: From January 2001 to April 2011, 3842 patients underwent CABG and in 36 of these patients (31 male, 5 female) the ascending aorta was replaced due to severe atherosclerosis. Total circulatory arrest was used in 22 patients (61%). The patients were followed for 69 ± 36 months (1-133 months) and compared to a control group of patients. The control group consisted of patients who underwent CABG with or without a concomitant procedure (n = 3806). RESULTS: For the study group, the mean additive and logistic Euroscores of the patients were nine and 20, respectively. One stroke (2.8%) was observed and this patient died in the early postoperative period. There were a total of four confirmed deaths (12%) at any time point over the length of the follow-up among the patients who were discharged from the hospital. Two of them died of malignancy (lung and gastric tumors) and the other two from cardiac reasons. No patients had a stroke during follow-up. For the control group the mean age was 61 ± 1, the stroke rate was 0.6%, and the mortality rate was 0.96%, and the mean logistic and additive Euroscores were 3.7 ± 4.4, and 3.5 ± 2.5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Replacement of highly calcified ascending aortas during CABG can be safely performed in selected patients with good long-term outcomes.

Comparison of combined oral and i.v. contrast-enhanced versus single i.v. contrast-enhanced mdct for the detection of acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic ability of oral added intravenous (IV) contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) versus only IV contrast-enhanced MDCT in diagnosing of acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDCT images of 200 patients were evaluated prospectively in this study. Patients were randomized into one of two groups: Group 1 (Gp1) patients underwent 16-MDCT performed with oral and IV contrast-enhanced and Group 2 (Gp2) subjects underwent 16-MDCT with only IV contrast-enhanced protocol. Final decision was based on histopathologic operative data and follow-up of patients. RESULTS: In Gp1, Reader1 had 96.9% and 98.5% and Reader2 had 84% and 94.7% sensitivity and specificity values respectively. For Gp2, the values for Reader1 were 81% and 94%. For Reader2 in Gp2, the values were 76% and 91%. We achieved higher sensitivity and specificity values with combined contrast administration versus only IV contrast-enhanced MDCT imaging. However, there was no statistically significant differences between two readers in the AUC values of each group for the detection of acute appendicitis. CONCLUSION: It is statistically concluded that oral contrast do not contribute to the a better accuracy. So in the routine practice, oral contrast has not to be recommended.

The effect of CD14 C159T polymorphism on in vitro IgE synthesis and cytokine production by PBMC from children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Even though the genotype at the promoter region of the CD14 molecule is known to affect the atopic phenotypes, the cellular and molecular basis of this association is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on IgE production and cytokine profile by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from asthmatic children with the TT and the CC genotypes at position -159 of the CD14 gene. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from asthmatic children with alternative genotypes at CD14 C159T locus were stimulated with 2 and 200 ng/ml LPS in vitro. The IgE, IgG and, IgM response was determined by ELISA and Ig έ-germline, IgG, and IgM transcription by real-time PCR. A cluster of cytokines was measured by cytometric bead array. RESULTS: Asthmatic children with the TT genotype but not those with the CC genotype responded with increased IgE synthesis and germline transcription to LPS stimulation. There were no genotype-related differences in IgG and IgM. TT but not the CC genotype was associated with significantly increased interleukin (IL)-4/IL-12 and IL-4/interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) ratios in the culture supernatant. There were no genotype-related differences in IL-1ß, IL-7, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, monocyte chemotactic protein, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from asthmatic children with the TT genotype at position -159 of the CD14 gene make more IgE than those with the CC genotype following LPS stimulation because of increased germline transcription and have an augmented Th2 cytokine profile.

Oxidant and antioxidant activity in rabbit livers treated with zoledronic acid.

Zoledronic acid (ZA), a nitrogen-bearing bisphosphonate, is used to treat the hypercalcemia associated with cancer. In addition to its antiumor effects, it acts as an osteoclast inhibitor. To investigate the effects of ZA on oxidative stress and antioxidants, we studied reduced glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant gamma glutamate cysteine, including nitrite and nitrate, which are endproducts of nitric oxide (NO) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) in rabbit liver tissue. In the study ZA (100 µg/kg) was administered to 7 rabbits that were fed ad libitum for comparison with untreated controls. MDA was studied using Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance reduction, NO using cadmium reduction, GSH using an enzymatic method yielding dithinitrobenzene yellow substance. We observed significantly higher MDA and NO levels in the ZA group (P < .0001), whereas GSH levels were significantly lower (P < .0001). Tissues were examined histopathologically. According to our results we find ZA induced rabbit liver oxidative stress and decreases with antioxidant levels in liver tissue. Further studies are needed to explore the safe use of this agent.

The factors that have a role in variability for temperature.

Our objective was to determine the factors that affect (i) the rectal-axillary temperature measurement difference (RATD) for digital and mercury-in-glass thermometers and (ii) the difference between mercury-in-glass and digital thermometer readings taken by the rectal and axillary routes. Children (between the ages of 2 and 48 months) who were admitted to Hacettepe University Children Hospital and Corum Children's Hospital in 2 months period were included in this study. Two measurements were taken from each patient within 2 days at two different occasions including day/night and sleep/awake by the same physician. A total of 135 patients were enrolled. RATD was 0.61 + 0.54 degrees C in the mercury-in-glass thermometer, and 0.81 +/- 0.57 degrees C in the digital thermometer. The mean differences between digital and mercury-in-glass thermometers were 0.16 degrees C for rectal routes and -0.02 degrees C for axillary routes. Children at older age with hypoalbuminemia and children exposed to higher ambient temperatures had lower values of RATD than others. Temperature recordings from different sites might change with ambient temperature and individual characteristics of children.

Assessment of citrullinated myelin by 1H-MR spectroscopy in early-onset multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Myelin instability and citrullinated myelin basic protein have been demonstrated in the brains of patients with chronic and fulminating forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aim was to trace citrulline in the brains of patients with early-onset MS by using proton MR spectroscopy ((1)H-MR spectroscopy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A short-echo single-voxel (1)H-MR spectroscopy by using the point-resolved proton spectroscopy sequence was performed in 27 patients with MS and 23 healthy subjects. Voxels of interest were chronic demyelinating lesions (CDLs, n = 25) and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM, n = 25) on T2-weighted imaging, and when available in patients with MS, enhancing demyelinating lesions (EDLs, n = 8). Frontal white matter (WM) was studied in control subjects. N-acetylaspartate, choline, and myo-inositol (mIns)-creatine (Cr) ratios and the presence of a citrulline peak were noted. RESULTS: Citrulline peaks were more frequently observed in patients with MS than in control subjects (P = .035), located in the NAWM in 8/25 (32%), in CDLs in 7/25 (28%), and in EDLs of 1/8 (12.5%) patients with MS. The presence of citrulline and measured metabolite/Cr ratios was not related to age at imaging, age at disease onset, duration of disease, or number of relapses. There was no significant metabolic difference between the NAWM of patients with MS and the WM of the control subjects. mIns/Cr was significantly greater in CDLs compared with the NAWM of patients with MS and the WM of healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Citrulline was more frequently identified in the brains of patients with early-onset MS than in healthy subjects by (1)H-MR spectroscopy, suggesting an association of increased citrullination of myelin proteins with demyelinating diseases.

Analysis of the possibility of the relationship between various implant-related measures: an 18-month follow-up study.

Better clarification of the long-term relationship among the various implant-related measures could improve the evaluation process for dental implants. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the potential correlations among the volumetric features and nitric oxide content of peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) and measures of implant stability, and the marginal bone loss. Completely edentulous patients (n=15) treated with dental implants and ball attachment mandibular over dentures were included. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA), marginal bone level measurements, PISF volume and spectrophotometrically determined nitrite levels were recorded for all dental implant sites. Measures for early (n=16) and delayed (n=14) loaded dental implants were comparatively analysed for a period of 18 months. Some random correlations between PISF volume and marginal bone level, PISF nitrite level and marginal bone level and PISF volume and PISF nitrite content, and RFA and PISF volume were observed. However, the only constant correlation was noticed between implant stability (RFA scores) and marginal bone level. This correlation was negative and significant for all dental implants and for delayed loaded implants (P<0.05). The pattern of loading seemed to affect the extent, but not the pattern of this relationship. While some of the implant-related measures may be strongly associated (e.g. dental implant stability and marginal bone level), not all measures from a single implant site are likely to be related. Such associations may be under the influence of a variety of factors including the loading protocol of dental implants.

Dexmedetomidine and postoperative shivering in patients undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Post-anaesthetic shivering is one of the most common complications, occurring in 5-65% of patients recovering from general anaesthesia and 33% of patients receiving epidural anaesthesia. Our objective was to investigate the efficacy of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion on postoperative shivering. METHODS: Ninety female patients, ASA I-II, 35-60 yr old, scheduled for elective total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were randomized into two groups. After endotracheal intubation one group received normal saline infusion and the other received dexmedetomidine as a loading dose of 1 microg kg(-1) for 10 min followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.4 microg kg(-1) h(-1). In the recovery room, pain was assessed using a 100 mm visual analogue scale and those patients who had a pain score of more than 40 mm were administered 1 mg kg(-1) intramuscular diclofenac sodium. Patients with shivering grades more than 2 were administered 25 mg intravenous meperidine. Patients were protected with passive insulation covers. RESULTS: Post-anaesthetic shivering was observed in 21 patients in the saline group and in seven patients in the dexmedetomidine group (P = 0.001). Shivering occurred more often in the saline group. The Ramsay Sedation Scores were higher in the dexmedetomidine group during the first postoperative hour. Pain scores were higher in the saline group for 30 min after the operation. The need for intraoperative atropine was higher in the dexmedetomidine group. Intraoperative fentanyl use was higher in the saline group. Perioperative tympanic temperatures were not different between the groups whereas postoperative measurements were lower in the dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion may be effective in the prevention of post-anaesthetic shivering.

Life satisfaction and leisure activities during men's retirement: a Turkish sample.

This study was planned and carried out as a pilot study to determine the life satisfaction of men from the Official Social Security Institutions in Turkey (n = 231). The Life Satisfaction Index was used as the measure. Among this group of retired men, the most popular leisure activities were audio-visual and reading. The strongest predictor of life satisfaction was the frequency of participation in leisure activities, followed by the level of satisfaction with health, income, and planning of leisure activities.