The Prevalence of Demodex Species and Its Relationship With the Metabolic Syndrome in Women of Malatya Province, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Demodex species are ectoparasites living in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands in human. Only two species, Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis were identified in human. While the D. folliculorum is settling in infundibular part of the hair follicles mostly, D. brevis settles into the sebaceous glands and ducts, which are deeper. These parasites live preferentially in hair follicles on the face and in the sebaceous glands, although they have also been reported to reside in seborrheic parts of the human body. The Demodex species have the highest rate on the face which has thesignificant number of sebaceous glands and sebum production in the skin. However, the rate of infestation increases with age in healthy skin. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Demodex species in healthy women and the relationship between the incidence of Demodex and metabolic syndrome (MetS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 151,498 women aged ≥ 20 years who reside in the central district of Malatya province, Turkey. In 5% confidence interval of sample size, while the design effect was 1.5 it was calculated as 552 individuals and while the design effect was 2 it was calculated as 736 individuals. The World Health Organization 30 cluster sampling method was used to select the samples. Women aged ≥ 20 years who were not pregnant or lactating were included in the study. From a total of 669 subjects included in this study, 90.89% of the largest sample was accessed. RESULTS: Parasites were detected in 263 (39.3%) of 669 subjects and 3 of them were D. brevis. In chi-square analysis, nosignificant relationship was found between the incidence of the parasite, age, education level, occupation, marital status, family type, and MetS. However, a significant relationship was found between the diastolic pressure and those who fed with fatty foods and the incidence of parasite's occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, MetS has no effect on the frequency of occurrence of the parasite; however, weight, fatty foods, and high diastolic pressure are effective in the frequency of occurrence of the parasite. The effects of these factors on the incidence of parasites should be supported by further study designs.

The value of diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient quantification in the diagnosis of perforated and nonperforated appendicitis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and differentiation of perforated and nonperforated appendicitis cases, with histopathologic correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients (34 males, 26 females; mean age, 35.6±15.5 years; range, 17-83 years) with a presumptive diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in this prospective study. With a 1.5 Tesla MRI unit, DW-MRI examinations were performed with b values of 50, 400, and 800 s/mm(2). The mean ADC values of case and control groups, as well as in perforated and nonperforated groups were compared. RESULTS: Of the 60 cases, 44 had a radiological diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and 16 were regarded as normal. Of the 40 patients who underwent surgical operation, 12 had a histopathological diagnosis of perforated appendicitis, and 28 had nonperforated appendicitis. Mean ADC value in patients with acute appendicitis (1.01±0.26×10(-3) mm(2)/s) was lower than the control group (1.85±0.13×10(-3) mm(2)/s) (P < 0.001). Mean ADC value of the perforated group (0.79±0.19×10(-3) mm(2)/s) was lower than the nonperforated group (1.11±0.22×10(-3) mm(2)/s) (P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy rate of DW-MRI in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis were 97.5%, 100%, 97.5%, 100%, and 98.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DW-MRI and ADC quantification are effective in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, both in perforated and nonperforated cases.

[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome, its relationship with mental health (anger) and sociodemographic characteristics in women residing in central district of Malatya: a cross-sectional observational study]. / Malatya il merkezinde yasayan kadinlarda metabolik sendrom prevalansi ve öfke ve sosyodemografik özellikler ile iliskisi: Enine-kesitsel gözlemsel bir arastirma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its relationship with mental health (anger) and sociodemographic characteristics in women residing central district of Malatya. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted between April and September 2008. The relationships between MetS and mental health (anger) and sociodemographic properties were examined. Chi-square and Student t-test were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean age of the women included in this study was 41.9 ± 12.7 years. MetS prevalence was 30.9%, for the age group of 60 and over prevalence was 61.3%. There was a statistically meaningful relation between MetS prevalence and the educational background, marital status, body-mass index (BMI) and family type (p<0.05). There was no significant relationship between MetS and anger status in the study group (p>0.05). The most common MetS parameters findings of our study were abdominal obesity (45.6%, waist circumference>88 cm) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Among MetS diagnosed women included in this study the most common finding was fasting blood glucose (76.7%), which were followed by high triglycerides (69.4%) and hypertension (63.5%). CONCLUSION: Taking control over or avoiding obesity plays a crucial role in prevention of MetS development. There was a significant relationship between MetS prevalence and education, BMI and family type in the study group. In the current study, there was no any significant relation between MetS and anger scale.

A case of enchondromatosis concomitant with cerebral hamartomas: radiologic findings.

Enchondromatosis is a congenital nonhereditary condition characterized by multiple symmetrically distributed intraosseous cartillaginous masses in the metaphyses and diaphyses of bones. We report a case of bilateral multiple enchondromas and cerebral hamartomas in an 11-year-old boy in whom x-rays displayed distortion and expansion of bilateral long tubuler bones, hands and feet, scapulas, pelvis, and occipital regions of the calvarium. In addition to osseous abnormalities, bilateral cerebral hamartomas were observed on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature with enchondromatosis and cerebral hamartomas.

Effect of postpartum counseling on postpartum contraceptive use.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postpartum counseling on postpartum contraceptive use. METHODS: One hundred and forty-three women who delivered between 1 January 2004 and 31 September 2004 and counseled about postpartum contraception were included in the study. The participants were interviewed by telephone. Age, gravidity, parity, and mode of delivery of the participants were recorded. Their method of contraception before pregnancy, their decision on the contraceptive method after counseling and the method actually used were asked. RESULTS: Just after postpartum counseling, 47 women (32.9%) decided to use the intrauterine device (IUD), 23 (16.1%) condoms, 16 (11.2%) progestin injections, 7 (4.9%) oral contraceptives, and 7 (4.9%) coitus interruptus for contraception. Thirty-six women (25.2%) did not decide on any method of use. At the time of the telephone interview the actual method used was learned. Fifty-one women (35.7%) were using coitus interruptus, 45 women (31.5%) condoms, and 14 (9.8%) the IUD. Sixteen women (11.2%) were reported as not using any methods. CONCLUSION: In spite of postpartum counseling, a high majority of the women appeared to use traditional and less effective contraceptive methods.