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Aims: The aim of this study was to research the effect of different bed head angles on the hemodynamic parameters of intensive care patients lying in the supine position. Methods: This study was a non‐randomized and non‐controlled, quasi‐experimental repeated measures study. The study was conducted with 50 intensive care patients aged 18 and over in a general surgery intensive care unit in Turkey. With each patient in the supine position, the bed head was raised to an angle of 0°, 20°, 30°, and 45° without a pillow, and the hemodynamic parameters of central venous pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation were recorded after 0 and 10 min. Results: It was found that the mean central venous pressure value measured at min 0 and 10 was higher when the intensive care patients' bed head angle was raised to 45° than when the bed head was at an angle of 0° or 20° (p <.05). It was found that the patients' other hemodynamic parameters were not affected by different bed head angles. Conclusions: It was concluded as a result of this research that in intensive care patients in the supine position, only central venous pressure was affected by bed head angle, and that central venous pressure measurement can be reliably made at a bed head angle of 30°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Difficulty in anesthetizing teeth that have been diagnosed with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a frequently reported clinical problem. The effects of low‐level laser application (photobiomodulation) on the efficacy of anesthesia during the dental treatment of patients with MIH have not yet been studied. Aim: To assess the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the efficacy of anesthesia in maxillary permanent molar teeth with MIH. Design: This prospective, parallel‐arm control, randomized, triple‐blind clinical trial included children aged 7–12 years. Maxillary permanent first molar teeth with MIH that required pulpotomy treatment were included. Seventy participants were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (with PBMT) and control (placebo). In the experimental group, before the administration of local infiltration anesthesia, PBMT (diode laser: 940 nm; continuous mode; 0.5 W; 78 J/cm2) was applied to the oral mucosa for 60 s each. In the control group, the laser probe was channeled toward the mucosa but was not activated. Pain scores were evaluated during the access cavity preparation of the pulpotomy treatment (when using the dentin cutting handpiece and while entering into the pulp) using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale. Additional anesthesia requirements were assessed in both groups. The data obtained were analyzed for statistical significance (p <.05). The chi‐squared test was used to determine the effect of PBMT on categorical outcomes. Results: The no‐pain scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (29% vs. 20%). Moderate‐to‐high pain was more frequent in the control group than in the experimental group (43% vs. 20%). While 31% of the experimental group required supplemental anesthesia, 49% of the control group required supplemental anesthesia during pulpotomy of the tooth with MIH. No statistical difference, however, was found between the two groups in terms of pain scores and the need for supplemental anesthesia (p =.235, p =.143). Conclusions: Anesthesia with and without PBMT caused no difference in pain during the treatment of maxillary molar teeth with MIH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endometriosis is a serious health problem among women of reproductive age, with pelvic pain and infertility. Given the limited success of current treatments, this study explores Neroli oil (N.O.) effects on inflammation, oxidation, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling implicated in endometriosis. Materials and Methods: Albino Wistar female rats were used to simulate an endometriosis model. Groups were established for comparison: a control, an endometriosis model, a N.O.‐treated group, and a N.O.‐treated group postendometriosis induction. The study focused on Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), Interleukin 6, Interleukin 8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), myeloperoxidase, Matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1), nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and anti‐mullerian hormone values, as well as histopathological evaluations of endometriotic foci. Results: AMH values showed a significant increase in the endometriosis group treated with N.O. compared with the endometriosis group (p < 0,01).A statistically significant decrease was found in MMP‐1 level in the endometriosis group that underwent N.O. (p < 0.001). Increased CAT (p < 0.0001) and decrease in nitric oxide (p < 0.01) are found in N.O.‐treated endometriosis group. TNF‐α levels in the endometriosis group showed a statistically significant increase in the endometriosis group when compared with the control and sham group (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively). In our study, a statistically significant increase was observed in VEGF levels (p < 0.001) in endometriosis group and significant decrease in the N.O. administered endometriosis model group. Groups treated with N.O. showed decreased inflammation and congestion scores. Histopathological assessments demonstrated reduced inflammation and tissue remodeling signs in endometriotic foci. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of N.O. in the treatment of endometriosis, owing to its anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiangiogenic properties that can disrupt chronic processes. Our findings lend support to utilization of herbal remedies for the management of endometriosis, thereby emphasizing the necessity for additional comprehensive investigations in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between loneliness and depression felt by adolescents during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Design and Methods: The study sample consisted of 423 adolescents who volunteered to participate in the study. All participants had internet access and the cognitive ability to express themselves. The participants filled out the Google Documents form that included the "Socio‐demographic Data Form," "Children's Depression Inventory," and "Short‐form UCLA Loneliness Scale" to collect data. Findings: It was determined that the depression inventory total mean score of the adolescents participating in the study was 55.15 ± 2.88 (high) and the loneliness scale total mean score was 16.43 ± 4.93 (medium). A statistically positive high correlation was found between the depression total mean scores and the loneliness total mean scores of the adolescents (p < 0.05). As the loneliness levels of the adolescents increased, their depression levels increased. Practice Implications: Adolescents were more likely to experience mental disorders such as loneliness and depression during and after the pandemic. Governments should focus on the mental health of adolescents in the management of COVID‐19. Clinical services should plan and implement prevention activities, support programs, and services to replace early diagnosis and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: The study was conducted to examine the effects of laughter therapy on happiness level and self‐esteem in 5th grade students. Methods: This study used an experimental study with pretest posttest control group. The study population consisted of 5th grade students studying at a secondary school in Turkey. There were six branches in the 5th grade. Groups were randomly selected from among these 5th grade classes to include 29 students in the intervention group and 32 in the control group. Laughter therapy sessions were applied to the intervention group twice a week for 4 weeks. No intervention was offered to the control group. The data were collected by a questionnaire, the School Children's Happiness Inventory, and the Coopersmith Self‐Esteem Inventory. Results: It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the School Children's Happiness Inventory (p <.05) but no significant difference was found according to the groups' scores on the Coopersmith Self‐Esteem Inventory (p >.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was determined that laughter therapy increased the happiness level of students yet had no effect on their self‐esteem. It is recommended to organize laughter therapy activities in schools to increase the happiness levels of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hyperemesis gravidarum is an illness that starts in early pregnancy and manifests itself with oral intake problems, electrolyte imbalance, ketonuria, and weight loss. Inflammation is closely associated with the hyperemesis gravidarum, and inflammatory indicators have been studied to understand its pathophysiology. This study investigates the relationship of ketonuria levels with inflammatory markers platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for hyperemesis gravidarum patients. Material and Methods: This retrospective case control study was conducted at Kütahya Medical Sciences University Tertiary Research and Training Hospital between December 2019 and December 2020. A total of 173 pregnancies, 82 of them with hyperemesis gravidarum and 91 of them low‐risk pregnancies were included in the study. The patients' demographic profiles and laboratory parameters were recorded. The patients were divided into hyperemesis gravidarum and control groups and the groups were compared for the levels of inflammation markers. For the hyperemesis gravidarum group, the relationship between ketonuria levels and the inflammation severity was investigated. Results: MLR, NLR, PLR levels were higher in the hyperemesis gravidarum group than the control group in a statistically significant way (p < 0.001 for all of the comparisons). The hyperemesis gravidarum group was subdivided into four groups based on their ketonuria levels, and their MLR, NLR, PLR levels were compared. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001) and the indicators increased with the ketonuria levels. Finally, ketonuria levels had a positive and significant correlation with MLR (rho =0.67, p < 0.001), PLR (rho =0.67, p < 0.001), and NLR (rho =0.8, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Hyperemesis gravidarum patients have higher levels of hematologic inflammation indicators than healthy pregnant patients. For these patients, the levels of the indicators increase with ketonuria levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Background: Organisational justice influences job satisfaction, the performance of individuals and the functioning of institutions. The lack of evidence‐based studies investigating the relationship between hemodialysis nurses' perceptions of organisational justice, job satisfaction and burnout has created a research gap in this area. Objective: To investigate the effect of perceived organisational justice on professional satisfaction and burnout levels of haemodialysis nurses and to identify any relation ship with individual and organisational factors. Material and Methods: The study was designed as a multi‐centre descriptive study. The data were collected using the 'personal information form', the Organisational Justice Scale', the 'Maslach Burnout Inventory' and the 'Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire'. Results: The distributive justice scores decreased as the depersonalisation scores of the nurses increased. As the personal accomplishment scores of the nurses increased, the interactional justice scores also increased. It was observed that the job satisfaction scores increased as the sub‐dimensional scores of the organisational justice scale increased and exhaustion decreased. Conclusion: It was detected that there was a significant relationship between the organisational justice perception of nurses and their job satisfaction and level of burnout. Institutions are encouraged to adopt a fair policy towards nurses and promote personal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unappealing taste of the chewing material and the time-consuming repetitive task in masticatory performance tests using artificial foodstuff may discourage children from performing natural chewing movements. Therefore, the aim was to determine the validity and reliability of a two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test for masticatory performance (MP) assessment in mixed dentition children. Masticatory performance was tested in two groups: systemically healthy fully dentate young adults and children in mixed dentition. Median particle size was assessed using a comminution test, and a two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test was applied for MP analysis. Validity was tested with Pearson correlation, and reliability was tested with intra-class correlation coefficient, Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots. Both comminution and two-colour chewing gum mixing ability tests revealed statistically significant MP differences between children ( n = 25) and adults ( n = 27, both P < 0·01). Pearson correlation between comminution and two-colour chewing gum mixing ability tests was positive and significant ( r = 0·418, P = 0·002). Correlations for interobserver reliability and test-retest values were significant ( r = 0·990, P = 0·0001 and r = 0·995, P = 0·0001). Although both methods could discriminate MP differences, the comminution test detected these differences generally in a wider range compared to two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test. However, considering the high reliability of the results, the two-colour chewing gum mixing ability test can be used to assess masticatory performance in children, especially at non-clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tongue thrust, which is an oral reflex associated with sucking behaviour, may cause problems in swallowing, speech, oro-facial development and also drooling. We aimed to examine the effect of Functional Chewing Training (Fu CT) on tongue thrust and drooling in children with cerebral palsy. The study included 32 children with a mean age of 58·25 ± 9·58 months who had tongue thrust. Children were divided into two groups: the Fu CT group and control group receiving classical oral motor exercises. Each group received training for 12 weeks. Oral motor assessment was performed. Chewing performance level was determined with the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale. Tongue thrust severity was evaluated with the Tongue Thrust Rating Scale. The Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale was used to evaluate drooling severity and frequency. The evaluations were performed before and after treatment. Groups were well matched in age, gender and oral motor assessment. No significant difference was found between groups in terms of pre-treatment chewing function, tongue thrust severity, drooling severity and frequency ( P > 0·05). The Fu CT group showed improvement in chewing performance ( P = 0·001), tongue thrust severity ( P = 0·046) and drooling severity ( P = 0·002), but no improvement was found in terms of drooling frequency ( P = 0·082) after treatment. There was no improvement in chewing performance, tongue thrust, drooling severity and frequency in the control group. A significant difference was found between groups in favour of Fu CT group in tongue thrust severity ( P = 0·043). This study showed that the Fu CT is an effective approach on the severity of tongue thrust and drooling in children with CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study was planned to assess the levels of fatigue and social support in patients with diabetes and to determine the relationship between fatigue and social support in these patients. Methods: A descriptive design was used in this research. The study was conducted between March and June 2013 with 300 sampled patients from 1657 studied participants with type 2 diabetes who presented to the diabetes polyclinics of Malatya State Hospital and Inonu University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Fatigue Severity Scale were used in the study. Results: When the correlation analysis carried out between fatigue severity and social support in patients with diabetes was examined, a significant relationship was found in the negative direction between fatigue severity and family support (r = −0.145, P < 0.05) as well as overall support (r = −0.132, P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the Fatigue Severity Scale score and sex, education status, occupation, cohabitation, presence of complications, and hemoglobin A1c (P < 0.05). Family support was significant only with respect to marital status, occupation, and being employed (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It was seen at the end of this research that social support reduced the level of fatigue in a number of patients with type 2 diabetes. Nurses of diabetes patients should carry out fatigue assessments routinely and reflect these in nursing care plans by also associating them with the social support sources of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Chronic migraine is a growing and disabling subtype of migraine with different risk factors and clinical features, even in older adults. We sought to define and differentiate clinical features of chronic migraine in older adults. We also aimed to compare major clinical features of chronic migraine in older adults with those in younger people of both sexes. Methods We used electronic dataset ( Turkish Headache Database) from 13 tertiary headache centers in Turkey. Electronic dataset included detailed headache-defining features according to ICHD-II criteria based on face-to-face interviews and examination by a headache specialist. Using statistical methods, clinical variables of chronic migraine in older adults were compared with those of younger adults. We included 915 patients with chronic migraine (mean age 43.80 ± 13.95 years); 83.3% were females. In total, 301 patients (32.9%) with chronic migraine aged >50 years were compared with 614 patients aged <50 years. Results There was no significant change in men with increasing age. However, duration of headache history, severity of attacks, previous histories of motion sickness and positive family history of headaches were significantly different in women with increasing age. Further sex-related differences have been shown in parameters such as attack duration, quality and associated nausea. Conclusion Chronic migraine is an infrequent type of migraine and shows age-related changes in some phenotypic characteristics, such as severity of attacks, especially in women aged older than 50 years. Furthermore, positive family history of headaches and history of motion sickness increase the likelihood of developing chronic migraine in older women, indicating involvement of some gender-related, but as-yet unknown, genetic factors. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 652-658. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Spiritual Care Perceptions and Practices Scale and to evaluate factors that may be effective in providing spiritual care by general intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Background: Spiritual needs are necessary to offset spiritual deficiencies or support moral strength. During hospitalization, patients with critical conditions and their families tend to become anxious because of fear of the unknown and an uncertain future. Spiritual issues become prominent concerns for these patients and their families. Method: The data of the study were collected from a university hospital, two public hospitals and two private hospitals. A total of 170 nurses were in the ICU of these hospitals, and 123 nurses (79·4%), agreed to participate and, were included in this study. Prior to the study, an information sheet was provided to all nurses to explain the purpose and procedures of the survey. The demographic data form of ICU nurses and the Nurses' Spiritual Care Perceptions and Practices Scale were used for data collection. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the marital status of the nurses and the total scale mean score. It was also determined that ICU nurses are in a better position regarding their perception levels of spiritual care compared to their practice levels of spiritual care, and nurses with a higher perception of spiritual care also have higher scores in the practice of spiritual care. Conclusions: ICU nurses were found to be inadequate in spiritual care practices. Study findings may be used to improve the support of nurses, to ensure sensitive spiritual care in their daily practices. Relevance to clinical practice:: ICU nurses should be aware of the importance of spiritual care and develop tools for assessing the spiritual needs of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene 10, 2012; 113-117 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2011.00538.x Yilmaz HG, Bayindir H. Clinical evaluation of chlorhexidine and essential oils for adjunctive effects in ultrasonic instrumentation of furcation involvements: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Abstract: Background: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of subgingival ultrasonic mechanical instrumentation (UMI) irrigated with essential oils (EOs) and chlorhexidine (CHX) at the furcation involvements (FI). Methods: Forty-five patients (244 FI) who presented with Class II FI were recruited to the study. Patients were randomly assigned to CHX (UMI irrigated with 0.2% CHX), EO (UMI irrigated with EOs) or control (UMI irrigated with distilled water) groups. All treatments were performed in one session. For all groups, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), position of gingival margin (PGM), pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL) and horizontal attachment level (HAL) scores were recorded at baseline and 1 and 3 months after therapy. Results: In all groups, there were significant reductions in PI, GI, PD and BOP, increase in PGM scores and gain in CAL and HAL scores, at 1 and 3 months compared to baseline. Except in BOP scores, there were no significance differences among the groups at any time point. At 1 and 3 months, there were significant reductions in the BOP scores of the EO group compared with the CHX and control groups. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, the use of EOs as a cooling liquid of UMI may promote slight adjunctive effects at FI compared to CHX and water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral Diseases (2011) 18, 55-59 Aim: We aimed to investigate a possible association of the MCP-1 and CCR2 polymorphisms with the risk of developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: MCP-1 A2518G and CCR2 V64I gene polymorphisms were performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism, in 129 patients with OSCC and 140 healthy control subjects. Results: Individuals who had G allele and GG genotype of MCP-1, and 64I allele and wt/64I genotype of CCR2 had increased risk for OSCC (P < 0.05.) In contrast, individuals with CCR2 wt/wt genotype seem to be protected from OSCC ( P < 0.01). Haplotype analysis revealed that MCP-1G: CCR2 64I haplotype frequencies were significantly higher in patients than those of controls (P = 0.001). Conclusions: We can suggest that the G allele of MCP-1 and 64I allele of CCR2 may be risk factors for OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have an established role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, which is characterized by an increased RANKL/OPG ratio. The present study aims to investigate changes of RANKL, OPG and their relative ratio in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of periodontitis patients after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Materials and Methods: GCF was obtained from chronic periodontitis (n = 14), generalized aggressive periodontitis (G-AgP; n = 13) patients at baseline. The patients received scaling and root planing and were recalled after 2, 3 and 4 months for follow-up clinical examination and sampling. The total amounts and concentrations of RANKL and OPG in GCF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and their relative ratio was calculated. Results: The RANKL/OPG ratio remained unchanged and did not correlate with clinical parameters throughout the monitoring period, despite the improved clinical outcome. This trend was similar in both chronic and G-AgP. Conclusions: Although the RANKL/OPG ratio has a potential diagnostic value for untreated periodontitis, it may not be a suitable predictor of clinically successful treatment outcome. As conventional therapy does not negatively modulate this ratio, the host could still be susceptible to further periodontal tissue destruction, warranting the consideration of adjunctive treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saygun I, Nizam N, Keskiner I, Bal V, Kubar A, Açıkel C, Serdar M, Slots J. Salivary infectious agents and periodontal disease status. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 235-239. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S The potential of salivary microorganisms to diagnose periodontal disease and to guide periodontal treatment is a research topic of current interest. This study aimed to determine whether the salivary counts of periodontopathic microbes correlated with the periodontal pocket counts of the same infectious agents, and whether the salivary counts of the test infectious agents could distinguish among individuals with periodontal health and various types of periodontal disease. The study included 150 systemically healthy adults, of whom 37 were periodontally healthy, 31 had gingivitis, 46 had chronic periodontitis and 36 had aggressive periodontitis. Each study subject contributed microbial samples from the two deepest periodontal pockets of the dentition and from whole saliva. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Campylobacter rectus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia and Epstein-Barr virus were identified using the TaqMan real-time PCR methodology. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the receiver operating characteristic statistics. C. rectus, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia and T. forsythia occurred with significantly higher copy-counts in salivary samples from patients with gingivitis, chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis than from periodontally healthy individuals. A. actinomycetemcomitans only showed higher salivary copy-counts in subjects with aggressive periodontitis compared with subjects with healthy periodontium, and the salivary copy-counts of Epstein-Barr virus did not reveal any significant difference among the four subject groups studied. The diagnostic sensitivity for periodontitis was 89.19 for P. gingivalis and for T. forsythia and 86.49 for P. intermedia, with specificities ranging from 83.78 to 94.59. The optimal copy-counts per mL saliva for identifying periodontitis were 40,000 for P. gingivalis, 700,000 for T. forsythia and 910,000 for P. intermedia. Salivary copy-counts of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and P. intermedia appear to have the potential to identify the presence of periodontitis, whereas the salivary level of the other test infectious agents may possess little or no diagnostic utility. Longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the ability of salivary copy-counts of major periodontopathic bacteria to predict future periodontal breakdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral Diseases (2010) , 60-67 To investigate the levels of antimicrobial peptide hCAP-18/LL-37 protein and mRNA expression in gingival tissues with different periodontal disease. Ten patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis, 10 patients with chronic periodontitis, and 10 healthy controls were included in this study. Periodontal parameters including probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, and papilla bleeding index were assessed in study subjects. hCAP-18/LL-37 mRNA analysis by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed in 19 samples provided enough RNA in terms of concentration and integrity. This study demonstrated that hCAP-18/LL-37 was a product of neutrophils. Tissue samples of chronic periodontitis patients had significantly higher immunostaining of hCAP-18/LL-37 on neutrophils infiltrating in both epithelium and connective tissue compared with controls. hCAP-18/LL-37 mRNA expression levels in tissue samples of chronic periodontitis patients seemed to be upregulated compared with controls. While two generalized aggressive periodontitis patients showed downregulated hCAP-18/LL-37 mRNA expression levels, one generalized aggressive periodontitis patient showed slightly increased hCAP-18/LL-37 mRNA level compared with controls. hCAP-18/LL-37 has an important role in innate response during periodontal inflammation. Local deficiency in hCAP-18/LL-37 might be a confounding effect in the pathogenesis of generalized aggressive periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral Diseases (2010) , 68-76 To investigate possible relationship between smoking and serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-8,-9 (MMP-8, MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), neutrophil elastase (NE), myeloperoxidase (MPO) in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients relative to periodontally healthy subjects. Serum samples were obtained from 111 subjects before initiation of any periodontal intervention. Fifty-five CP patients (39 non-smokers, 16 smokers) and 56 periodontally healthy subjects (39 non-smokers, 17 smokers) were recruited. Serum concentrations of MMP-8 were determined by IFMA and MPO, MMP-9, TIMP-1, NE concentrations by ELISA. ANCOVA and Pearson correlation analysis was utilized for statistical analysis. Serum MPO, NE concentrations were higher in smoker CP than non-smoker CP patients ( P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas these were similar in smoker, non-smoker periodontally healthy groups ( P > 0.05). TIMP-1 concentration was higher in non-smoker CP than smoker CP group ( P < 0.05). MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were higher in smoker CP than non-smoker CP group ( P = 0.01). MMP-8 concentrations, MMP-8/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios in CP group were not significantly different from those in periodontally healthy group ( P > 0.05). Our findings of significantly elevated serum MMP-9, MPO, NE together with decreased TIMP-1 in smoker CP patients than non-smokers support that smoking together with periodontal destruction may expose/predispose to cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are the most common diseases observed in children aged 0–6 years in Turkey. This study was conducted to investigate URIs in 0–6 year–old children in Turkey. Design and Methods: Data of children aged 0–6 years who were included in the 2014 Turkey Health Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute were collected from their parents. Results: In total, 1,293 and 1,732 children with and without URIs, respectively, were identified. The weighted point prevalence of URIs was 42.23%. Compared with the uninsured and female children belonging to high‐income families, insured male children belonging to low‐income families were more likely to develop URIs (p <.001). Moreover, comorbidities such as communicable diseases, anemia and diarrhea, and factors like health services utilization were associated with URIs. Analysis of health services utilization highlights that URIs were reported more among the children who had not visited a hospital than among those who had visited a hospital, with an odds ratio of 1.23. Conclusions: The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of sociodemographic, comorbid, and health services utilization factors associated with URIs. These results provide useful insights for pediatric nursing professionals to improve the quality and efficiency of pediatric respiratory nursing services. Practice Implications: Collaborative networks with other health professionals, parents, and public health policy‐makers are essential to decrease the prevalence of URIs in Turkey. These study results provide several insights for health professionals to improve pediatric action plans for ultimately improving child health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to determine the complementary and integrative health (CIH) methods used by parents to treat oral mucositis in their children who have cancer. Design and Methods: In this multicenter, cross‐sectional study, data for the study were collected via the demographic form and CIH form for oral mucositis. The data collection tools were filled out by the researchers during the face‐to‐face interviews. The parents (N = 302) of children with cancer who had undergone at least one round of chemotherapy were included in this study. Results: According to the parents' statements, oral mucositis developed in 91.1% of the children with cancer, and CIH was used in 50.9% of them to treat its side effects. Parents stated that to deal with the oral mucositis, they mainly used black mulberry (41.5%), carbonate (15.2%), and honey (11.6%). Some of the parents (51.8%) used CIH for their children without informing their healthcare providers. Practice Implications: The majority of healthcare providers were unaware of the parents' use of CIH for their children's oral mucositis treatment. Parents' opinions of these methods, of which the side effects and potential interactions with chemotherapeutic agents are not precisely known, and their use by parents for their children's oral mucositis should be evaluated by healthcare providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]