Comparison of Nutritional Status in the Elderly According to Living Situations.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of elderly individuals living alone and with their families. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD: The sample of the study included 872 elderly individuals who agreed to participate in the study, were aged 65 or over, and lived in Ankara. The data were gathered from a survey, using face-to-face interviews. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used in evaluating each individual's nutrition. RESULTS: The rate of malnutrition in the study population was 5% while the malnutrition risk was 67%. The rate of malnutrition in the individuals living alone was found to be higher than that of those living with their families. The rates of malnutrition in individuals living alone and with their families were, respectively, 7% and 4%, and the rates of malnutrition risk in individuals living alone and with their families were, respectively, 73% and 66% (p<0.05). In both groups, there were significant relationships between individuals' ages, BMI values, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and calf circumference measurements and their MNA scores. While there was a negative and significant relationship between age and MNA scores, the relationships between other parameters and MNA scores were positive and significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was revealed that the nutrition of elderly individuals living alone differs from the nutrition of elderly individuals living with their families. Malnutrition rates were higher in individuals living alone. Raising the awareness of elderly people and their families regarding the need to improve and maintain nutrition would be beneficial.

Sedative-analgesic activity of remifentanil and effects of preoperative anxiety on perceived pain in outpatient mandibular third molar surgery.

The aim of this study was to assess the sedative-analgesic activity of different doses of remifentanil and effects of preoperative anxiety on intraoperative pain levels in patients attending a dental clinic. The patients (n=60) were divided into two groups according to the remifentanil infusion dose given: group R1: 0.05µg/kg/min; group R2: 0.1µg/kg/min. The following were evaluated: haemodynamic parameters, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) TX-I score, pain level due to local anaesthesia injection, time to reach a Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) score of 3, amount of bolus dose, total drug consumption, recovery period, patient and surgeon satisfaction, and complications. The patient satisfaction score on a visual analogue scale (VAS) was 90 in group R1 and 100 in group R2 (P=0.008); the surgeon satisfaction score was 80 in group R1 and 90 in group R2 (P=0.004). The time to reach an RSS score of 3 and the amount of bolus dose were significantly lower in group R2 than in group R1. High levels of anxiety did not affect intraoperative pain levels. In conclusion, high doses of remifentanil can safely be used for various same-day dental surgery interventions.

AQP1, AQP5, Bcl-2 and p16 in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to link expression patterns of AQP1, AQP5, Bcl-2 and p16 to clinicopathological characteristics of oro-hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. METHODS: Immunohistochemical expression of AQP1, AQP5, Bcl-2 and p16 was investigated in 107 consecutive oro-hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cases. Molecular interrelationship and correlations with clinicopathological parameters and survival were computed. RESULTS: AQP1 was expressed exclusively by a subgroup of basaloid-like squamous cell carcinomas. AQP5 was detected in 25.2 per cent of the samples, showing significant association with the absence of p16 and Bcl-2 (p = 0.018; p = 0.010). In multivariate analysis, overexpression of p16 was significantly correlated with favourable overall survival (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: AQP5 defined a subset of patients with Bcl-2-negative and p16-negative tumours with a poor clinical outcome. AQP1 was found to be a marker of a subgroup of aggressive basaloid-like squamous cell carcinomas. These findings suggest that AQP1 and AQP5 are interesting candidates for further studies on risk group classification and personalised treatment of oro-hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

A complication of temporary subclavian vein haemodialysis catheter: vena cava superior injury.

Haemodialysis catheters used in the treatment of renal failure can cause very serious complications. Therefore, selection of the appropriate vein, and application of the intervention under ultrasound (US) guidance, carry vital importance. In this study, we aimed to present a potentially fatal complication of temporary haemodialysis catheter.

The minimal-access kidney transplantation technique in living-donor transplantation: results from a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: During the last 15 years, there was tremendous progress in minimally invasive surgery and minimal-access surgery. Many conventional surgical procedures were replaced by these techniques, resulting in a wide range of benefits for the patients. In kidney transplantation, many centers choose an approach to the iliac fossa through an oblique or J-shaped incision. This might have possible disadvantages due to the extent of tissue trauma. Thus, we introduced a minimal-access kidney transplantation technique (MAKT) as a transplantation method in our center. We retrospectively analyzed this technique used for 11 living-donor kidney transplants and report here our experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 2008 to July 2011, 11 living-donor kidney recipients were subjected to the MAKT and were matched (age, sex) with a historical group from our center from 2000 to 2007. To analyze the assumption of noninferiority of the MAKT in comparison to the standard approach, a matched case-control study design was chosen, with creatinine level at 1 year after transplantation as the primary outcome variable. We used a Wilcoxon signed rank test; 1-sided significance level was 2.5%. RESULTS: Eleven recipients were included. Both groups were almost similar regarding age and body mass index. Characteristics of the procedure were significantly different only for cold ischemic time (114 minutes MAKT vs 77 minutes historical group). In the MAKT group, there were no reinterventions necessary, no wound infections, no incisional hernia, no acute rejection episodes, no graft losses, and 2 lymphoceles occurred. Further, no urinary leakage or ureteral stenosis and no vascular complications were observed. The statistical analysis of the primary endpoint revealed a noninferiority of the MAKT technique (P = .0005). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the fact that this is an initial series and a retrospective analysis, the applied MAKT technique seems to be safe in terms of both graft function after 1 year and surgical complications.

The association of anthropometric measurements and lipid profiles in Turkish hypertensive adults.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have associated anthropometric measurements and lipid profile with hypertension in adult populations and to the best of our knowledge none has been done in Turkey OBJECTIVES: To relate anthropometric derivatives of overweight/obesity with hyperlipidemia status in a group of Turkish hypertensive adults. METHODS: Six hundred forty nine (307 male, 342 female) hypertensive adults aged between 20 and 64 years were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) of participants were measured as 147.6 ± 17.2 and 91.4 ± 10.4 mmHg for males and 149.9 ± 16.3 and 91.1 ± 9.4 mmHg for females, respectively. With respect to BMI classification systolic BP was significantly higher in obese males and females, and diastolic BP was only higher in obese females (p<0.05). According to BMIs for lipid profile, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) levels were found to be lower in normal females than other BMI groups. Age and waist circumference (WC) in particular was the most related factor for systolic and diastolic BP in both genders (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates most hypertensive adults surveyed were overweight and obese. Furthermore, age and WC were the important factors that affects the systolic and diastolic BP in both genders.

Sustainable natural resource management and environmental assessment in the Salt Lake (Tuz Golu) Specially Protected Area.

The Salt Lake Specially Protected Area is a unique ecosystem for both agricultural activities and natural life in Turkey. In the present study, an attempt was made to develop a conceptual land use strategy and methodology, taking into account ecological factors for regional development in the Salt Lake Specially Protected Area. A detailed Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis was done to create a comprehensive database including land use, land suitability, and environmental factors (soil, climate, water quality, fertilizing status, and heavy metal and pesticide pollution). The results of the land suitability survey for agricultural use showed that, while 62.6% of the study area soils were classified as best and relatively good, about 15% were classified as problematic and restricted lands, only 22.2% of the study area soils were not suitable for agricultural uses. However, this is not enough to derive maximum benefit with minimum degradation. Therefore, environmental factors and ecological conditions were combined to support this aim and to protect the ecosystem. Excessive irrigation practices, fertilizer and pesticide application, and incorrect management practices all accelerate salinization and degradation. In addition to this, it was found that a multi-layer GIS analysis made it easy to develop a framework for optimum land use and could increase the production yield preserving the environmental conditions. Finally, alternative management and crop patterns were undertaken to sustain this unique ecosystem, considering water, soil, climate, land use characteristics, and to provide guidance for planners or decision makers.

Characterization and pillaring of a Turkish bentonite (Resadiye).

The shifts of the SiOSi stretching and the SiOAl and SiOSi bending modes, as well as the free silica peak in the IR spectra and the strengthening of the XRD reflections due to the quartz and alpha-cristobalite components of the Al-pillared bentonites (Wyoming and Resadiye), are ascribed to the formation of new SiOAl groups of covalent character. The mass losses in the temperature range 150-700 degrees C correspond to the dehydration and dehydroxylation processes. The total mass losses of the Al-pillared bentonites (Wyoming and Resadiye) are close to each other at an OH/Al ratio of 2.2, but calcination from 400 to 600 degrees C causes the surface area of the latter composite to decrease by 13%.

Primary chest Hodgkin's disease diagnosed by pleural biopsy: case report.

Hodgkin's disease involving the lung and pleura is rare. A case of a 40-year-old woman with one year history of pain in the left arms spreading into chest is presented. Computed tomography showed a mass of 5 x 7 cm in the left hemithorax mediastinum and pleura, pleural effusion and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Diagnostic methods including percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy of pleura, brochoscopic biopsies, bronchoalveolar lavage, cytological examination of the pleural fluid did not disclose any pathological diagnosis. Lastly, we performed pleural biopsy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and we showed that the lesion was HD of nodular sclerosing type.

Cholecystocholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of performing cholecystocholangiography through a central venous pressure catheter during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystocholangiography was attempted during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic calculous cholecystitis in 40 patients, and considered successful if the biliary anatomy was clearly defined. The procedure was evaluated as successful in 36 patients (90%). It added an average 13.5 min to the operating time. A unsuspected common bile duct stone was identified by cholecystocholangiography in one patient and there were no cholangiogram-related complications. We concluded that laparoscopic cholecystocholangiography is a safe, simple, and quick procedure that can be used as an alternative to cystic duct cholangiography to identify the biliary anatomy and detect any common bile duct calculi prior to laparoscopic dissection.

Indoor 222Rn concentrations in Istanbul houses.

Indoor average 222Rn concentrations have been measured in more than 400 houses in Istanbul city. The average radon concentrations in the houses were found to be between 10 Bq m-3 and 260 Bq m-3 and the mean value was 50 Bq m-3.