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In this study, it was analyzed if there is a long term relationship among the nominal exchange rate and monetary fundamentals within the periods of 1998:1-2011:2 in Turkey. This relationship has been analysed by using structural VAR (SVAR) model. Besides, Granger causality test and Dolado-Lütkepohl Granger causality test were used to determine if there were a causality relationship among the nominal exchange rate and monetary fundamentals. As a result of the SVAR model, the relationship among the series related to nominal exchange rate and money supply, GDP, interest rate in Turkey in long term were not determined and at the end of causality tests, causality relationship among the nominal exchange rate and monetary fundamentals were not determined.

In this study, countries were analyzed between 1990 and 2011 in order to determine whether a causal relationship exists among current account deficit, GDP, foreign direct investment, and total credits of G7. Analysis took into account the cross-sectional dependence and was applied to test the causality among the variables form the panel. Firstly, panel unit root tests were used for determining stationary of variables. As a result of the panel unit root tests, it was found that GDP and foreign direct investment have a stationary structure and that total credits and current account deficit contain unit root. In order to see whether there is a long-term relationship among the variables or not, the panel co-integration test was used. As a result of the test, it was concluded that there is a co-integration relationship among the series. The possibility of a causal relationship was analyzed among the variables using the causality test developed by Elena Ivona Dumitrescu and Christophe Hurlin (2012). Results of the analysis showed a unidirectional causal relationship from current account deficit and foreign direct investment to GDP. Bidirectional causality was found between current account deficit and total credits. Finally, a unidirectional relationship was found from foreign direct investment to current account deficit and total credits.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a herbal essential oil mixture on the performance of broilers produced by a young (30 wk) or an old breeder (80 wk) flock. One thousand and eight unsexed day-old broiler chicks (Ross-308) originating from the two breeder flocks were randomly allocated to three treatment groups of 336 birds each. Dietary treatments were: a control and two diets containing 24 mg/kg or 48 mg/kg of an essential oil mixture. There were no significant effects of dietary treatment on body weight of the broilers at 21 and 42 days. The effect of the age of the parents did not have a significant effect on body weight of the broilers at 21 and 42 days of age. Up to 21 days the feed intake of broilers from young breeders was reduced significantly as a result of the inclusion of the essential oil mixture in their diets, and a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio was recorded in these birds. Difference in regression coefficients for feed intake and feed conversion ratio between broilers from young and old breeder flocks was significant. Carcass yield and some internal organ weights such as the liver, pancreas, proventriculus, gizzard and small intestine were not affected by the addition of the essential oil mixture to the diet. Inclusion of essential oil mixture to the diet decreased mortality significantly at 21 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the effect of Teethmate, Bifluoride 12, and Copal Varnish on the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity and the pulpal blood flow using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) after full crown preparations. Eighteen patients with 42 teeth with dentine hypersensitivity after full crown preparations were randomly treated with Teethmate, Bifluoride 12, and Copal Varnish. Dentine hypersensitivity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Schiff air index (SAI). LDF was used to assess the pulpal blood flow and results were recorded in perfusion units (PU). All measurements were performed at baseline, 5 min, 7 days, and 1 month after the application of desensitizers. Data were statistically analyzed by Wilcoxon and two-way ANOVA tests (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the tested desensitizers regarding VAS and PU values. VAS values decreased significantly at 7 days and 1 month after the application of desensitizers compared to baseline in all groups. The decrease in PU values significantly differed only in the Copal Varnish group at 5 min and 7 days after the application of the desensitizer (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between different times regarding SAI scores in all groups (p < 0.05). Teethmate, Bifluoride 12, and Copal Varnish showed similar effectiveness on dentine hypersensitivity and pulpal blood flow. Long-term clinical trials with larger sample sizes and histological studies are needed to evaluate their impacts on pulpal status., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Society of The Nippon Dental University.)

Introduction: Besides generalized symptoms, patients with COVID-19 also show otolaryngological (ENT) symptoms. Globus is one of these symptoms. Anxiety problems may accompany the disease, as well. This study investigated the relationship between globus symptoms and COVID-19 anxiety in patients diagnosed with COVID-19., Methods: The Turkish version of Glasgow-Edinburgh Throat Scale (GETS-T) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) was used to investigation of the relationship between globus symptoms and COVID-19 anxiety in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. They responded to the GETS-T for the evaluation of throat symptoms and determination of their severity. Additionally, it examined the level of dysfunctional anxiety associated with the coronavirus in COVID-19 patients by using the CAS. Data were collected through telephone interviews. There were 220 participants in a prospective cross-sectional study (110 COVID-19 patients and 110 non-COVID-19)., Results: Results show the GETS-T total score to be significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than in the non-COVID-19 group (p &lt; 0.001). As the GETS-T total score increased, CAS total score also increased significantly in the COVID-19 group. Total scores of GETS-T and CAS were found to be lower in the post-acute period than in the acute period in the COVID-19 group (p &lt; 0.001)., Conclusion: This study confirms that globus-type symptoms may be present in the clinical appearance of COVID-19 infection. In addition, the results support the opinion held in the academic literature that there are positive correlations between globus sensation and psychosomatic etiology. Furthermore, the study concludes that the symptoms generalized as globus-type symptoms, which include sore throat, the feeling that something is stuck in the throat, and the inability to clear the throat, decrease and almost disappear after the first month of the disease., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: It is known that chronic condition also affects siblings without chronic illness. Healthy siblings of children with a chronic condition and aged 9-14 years and healthy children with a sibling without chronic illness and their parents were included in the study., Aim: The aim of our study was to examine the internet-game addiction, physical activity, quality of life and sleep in children with a sibling with chronic condition and compare them with their peers with a healthy sibling., Methods: Computer game addiction, physical activity, sleep quality and quality of life were evaluated respectively by Computer Game Addiction Scale for Children, Child Physical Activity Questionnaire, Children's Sleep Disorder Scale and Children's Quality of Life Scale., Results: While the mean age of 75 children with chronically ill siblings was 10.65 ± 1.59 years, the mean age of 75 healthy children with healthy siblings was 10.46 ± 2.09 years. It was observed that children with a sibling with a chronic condition were more tend to computer-game addiction, had lower sleep quality, lower quality of life in terms of school functionality and psychosocial health compared to children with a healthy sibling (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: It was revealed that in families with children with a chronic condition, siblings with no health problems should also be evaluated in psychosocial terms and supported by appropriate approaches, such as to increase the level of physical activity., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Migraine is a complex neurogenic inflammatory disorder. There are strong neuronal, endocrine, and immunologic connections between the brain and gastrointestinal system. Damage to the intestinal barrier is thought to cause systemic immune dysregulation. Zonulin is a protein produced by the small intestine epithelium in humans that regulates intestinal permeability through intracellular tight junctions and is a potential marker for inflammation. Zonulin increases in positive correlation with permeability. In our study, we aimed to research the correlation between serum zonulin levels in the period between attacks in pediatric patients with migraine., Methods: The study included 30 patients with migraine and 24 healthy controls, matched in terms of sex and age. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Serum zonulin levels were studied with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method., Results: Patients had a mean of 5.6 ± 3.5 attacks per month. The mean serum zonulin was 5.68 ± 1.21 ng/mL in the migraine group and 5.72 ± 2.1 ng/mL in the control group with no significant difference found (P = 0.084). In the migraine group, no correlations were identified between serum zonulin levels and age, body mass index, pain frequency, pain duration, onset time, visual analog scale score, and presence of gastrointestinal systems apart from nausea-vomiting., Conclusions: More than 50 proteins were identified to affect the intestinal permeability apart from zonulin. There is a need for prospective studies encompassing the time of attack, but our study is important as it is the first study about zonulin levels in pediatric migraine., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies about iron accumulation in children with thalassemia major are quite limited., Aim: This study aimed to detect neurological findings with cranial MRIs in the pediatric patients with thalassemia major who did not develop any neurological complications., Materials and Methods: Pediatric patients with thalassemia major who followed in the Pediatric Hematology Unit between 1 July 2017 and 1 January 2019 were included in the study. The patients underwent cranial MRI scans., Results: A total of 30 patients were included. The median age was 15 (range from 4-18) years old. We found that 7 patients had a splenectomy and 19 of the remaining 23 patients had splenomegaly. In addition, 13 of the patients had hepatomegaly, 10 had skeletal deformities, and 17 had growth retardation. The mean ferritin level was 3772.3 ± 2524.8. We detected various pathologies on cranial MRI images of 10 (33.3%) patients. In 3 of these patients, millimeter-sized ischemia-compatible lesions were found in the cerebral white matter, which did not fit any arterial area, and 5 patients had hyperintense lesions in the basal ganglia., Conclusion: Our study is valuable since 1/3 of our pediatric patients with thalassemia major were detected with intracranial pathology.

Objective: Stroke is one of the major complications of sickle cell disease (SCD). Stroke features either occlusion of, or stenosis at, the origin of one of the large intracerebral arteries, the internal carotid artery (ICA), and/or the middle cerebral artery (MCA)., Purpose: We sought correlations between cerebral blood flow velocities and the laboratory and clinical findings of patients with SCD., Materials and Methods: Fifty-three pediatric SCD patients (39 with HbSS, 14 with HbSβ0) were analyzed. The mean patient age was 12.9±3.9 years. The control group contained 24 healthy individuals. The time-averaged maximum mean velocity (TAMMV) and resistive index (RI) of the MCA, the TAMMVs of the ICA and vertebral artery (VA), and the diameter of the VA were estimated through transcranial Doppler ultrasonography using a 2.5 MHz transducer, in accordance with the Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP) protocol. We evaluated the relationships between the TAMMVs, laboratory parameters, and clinical findings., Results: The mean±SD MCA TAMMV was 161.2±35.4 cm/s in patients with HbSS and 185.8±62.9 cm/s in patients with HbSβ0. The mean MCA TAMMV, RI, ICA TAMMV, VA TAMMV, and VA diameter were 168.5±43.9 cm/s, 0.63±0.06, 116.8±25.5 cm/s, 69.2±18.5 cm/s, and 3.5±0.61 mm for all SCD patients, respectively. In the control group, the mean MCA TAMMV, RI, ICA TAMMV, VA TAMMV, and VA diameter were 103.8±28.8 cm/s, 0.53±0.04, 96.4±27.8 cm/s, 40.3±12.1 cm/s, and 3.4±0.6 mm, respectively. Although the differences were not significant, TAMMVs were higher in HbSβ0 patients taking hydroxyurea; those with hemoglobin levels <8 g/dL, ferritin levels >1000 ng/dL, mean platelet volume >12 fL, or red cell distribution width >18%; or required chelation, or were below the third percentiles of weight and height. The TAMMV was significantly higher only in SCD patients who complained of headache., Conclusions: High ferritin and low hemoglobin levels, a high mean platelet volume, a high red cell distribution width, low weight (below the third percentile), and a short height (below the third percentile) may be associated with elevated cerebral blood flow velocities and an increased stroke risk in children with SCD. Children with such features should be closely followed-up through transcranial Doppler ultrasonography examination., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare, devastating neurodegenerative encephalitis whose diagnosis and therapy are still in question. Atypical clinical presentation and heterogeneity of neuroimaging findings that have been initially confused with metabolic disorders have hampered early diagnosis. To describe a series of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis with imaging findings mimicking metabolic disorders. A total of six patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were diagnosed from January 2012 to December 2016 in whom a metabolic disorder was suspected on initial clinical and MRI findings. Detailed laboratory investigation was performed in all patients. All patients presented with atypical neurologic manifestations, including dystonia, syncopal attacks, involuntary limb movements, meaningless speech and ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities included bilateral putaminal, bilateral posterior periventricular white matter and diffuse or splenial corpus callosum involvement which are particularly unusual in SSPE and mostly observed in metabolic disorders. All patients had elevated cerebrospinal fluid Ig G measles antibodies. The diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis through clinical and imaging features can be considerably challenging. It is crucial to differentiate it from metabolic disorders, since the management and clinical outcome are different., (© 2020. Belgian Neurological Society.)

Objectives: Since the civil war in Syria began, millions of Syrians have left the country and been forced to migrate to other countries. Turkey is the country with the most refugees hosting 3.6 million refugees. This study aimed to compare the PIM-3 score, PELOD-2 score, PELOD-2 predicted death rate (PDR), mortality rates, demographic data, and outcomes of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units between refugee children living in Turkey, pediatric patients brought directly from the border by the emergency services, and the general Turkish population., Methods: This was a retrospective study performed between February 2018 and February 2019 at Hatay State Hospital, very close to the Syrian border. The study included 158 patients. Patients were divided into three groups: Turkish citizens, those living in Turkey as refugees, and those brought from the border., Results: Of the patients, 57 were Turkish citizens, 33 were refugees, and 68 were brought from the border. For patients, the mean PIM-3 score was 25.62±27.70, the PELOD-2 score was 8.03±4.72, and PELOD2-PDR was 16.07±23.45. The median scores for PIM-3, PELOD-2, and PELOD2-PDR of patients brought from the Syrian border were higher compared with Turkish citizens and refugees. There was no significant difference between refugees and Turkish citizens. Of the patients, 27 died, with the distribution being 15% Turkish citizens, 26% refugees, and 59% brought from the border. The mortality of patients transported from the border was statistically significant (P=0.03)., Conclusion: We consider that the source of the difference between patients brought from the border and those living in Turkey may be associated with the continuing war beyond our borders and children experiencing insufficient care conditions. In conclusion, it is not just weapons that cause death in war, and children unfortunately suffer because of this situation., (Copyright © 2020 French Society of Pediatrics. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We aimed to explore the utility and additional clinical contribution of brain fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging for the assessment of children with possible autoimmune encephalitis in comparison to brain MRI., Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of six pediatric patients (all seronegative) between 2014 and 2019 with the initial diagnosis of possible autoimmune encephalitis who had brain FDG PET/CT or PET/MRI and brain MRI during the diagnostic period. Diagnosis of possible autoimmune encephalitis was based on clinical consensus criteria defined by Graus et al. Brain FDG PET images were visually evaluated. Semiquantitative evaluation was also performed by using the statistical parametric mapping (SPM) method., Results: Cerebrospinal fluid pleiocytosis and electroencephalography abnormality were present in all patients. Mean duration between the onset of symptoms and brain FDG PET imaging was 33 ± 16 days (range: 18-62 days). There were a total of eight brain FDG PET scans (six of PET/MRI and two of PET/CT). In two patients, FDG PET imaging was performed at diagnosis and follow-up. Initial FDG PET and SPM analysis findings were abnormal in all patients (100%), with four demonstrating only hypometabolism. Only a hypermetabolic pattern was seen in one patient, and mixed the hypohypermetabolic pattern was seen in one patient. All patients had metabolic abnormalities in temporal lobes. Additionally, visual and semiquantitative FDG PET findings revealed hypometabolism in extratemporal regions. Brain MRI was abnormal in two patients (33.3%) who had also FDG hypermetabolism in mesial temporal lobes., Conclusions: Our findings support the usage of fluorine-18-FDG PET/computed tomography (CT)/MRI with quantitative analysis early in the diagnostic work-up of possible autoimmune encephalitis, particularly in those with normal or nonspecific MRI findings. However, it remains a purpose of further studies, if and to what extent FDG PET/CT or integrated FDG PET/MRI with quantitative analysis can improve the diagnostic workup of children with possible autoimmune encephalitis.

Objective: Hypophosphatemia was previously shown to affect the duration of admission, mechanical ventilator requirements, mortality and morbidity during pediatric intensive care. Different from previous studies, our study was planned with the aim of showing whether hyperphosphatemia affects morbidity and mortality in pediatric intensive care patients as much as hypophosphatemia., Method: Patients' ages, genders, reason for admission, underlying diseases, phosphorus levels examined on admission and on the 1-4th and 5-10th-days, duration on mechanical ventilation, duration of admission, final status and PRISM and PELOD scores calculated in the first 24 hours of admission were recorded., Results: Mortality was distinctly higher for those who were hypophosphatemic and hyperphosphatemic compared to those who were normophosphatemic. The highest mortality was identified in those who were hyperphosphatemic on the 5-10th-days. PELOD scores were only significantly different according to admission phosphorus levels (p:0.04)., Conclusion: In our study, we identified that hyperphosphatemia is a serious problem as hypophosphatemia for patients who admitted to the PICU. Patients identified to be hyperphosphatemic on admission had a significantly higher PELOD score. The significant difference of hyperphosphatemia in terms of PELOD score is one of the important points shown in our study. It should not be forgotten that like hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphatemia may cause serious problems in pediatric intensive care patients., (Copyright© of YS Medical Media ltd.)

Purpose: We examined the various types of epilepsy in children with neonatal hypoglycemia in order to define electroclinical and prognostic features of these patients., Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with a history of symptomatic neonatal hypoglycaemia who have been followed at Gazi University Hospital Pediatric Neurology Department between 2006 and 2015. Patients with perinatal asphyxia were excluded. Details of each patient's perinatal history, neurological outcome, epilepsy details, seizure outcome and EEG and brain MRI findings were reviewed., Results: Fourty five patients (range 6 mo-15 y) with a history of symptomatic neonatal hypoglycaemia were included the study. Epilepsy developed in 36 patients and 23 of them had intractable epilepsy. All patients had occipital brain injury., Conclusion: We observed that most of the patients, either manifesting focal or generalized seizures, further develop intractable epilepsy. This finding establishes neonatal hypoglycemia as a possible cause to be considered in any case of intractable epilepsy., (Copyright © 2017 European Paediatric Neurology Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cobalamin C (CbIC) deficiency is a rare disorder of vitamin B12 metabolism which results from impaired conversion of both its active forms methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. Early onset cblC typically presents in the first year of life with hypotonia, lethargy, seizures, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, developmental delay and other multisystem involvement including hematologic, ocular, renal, hepatic and cardiac symptoms. We report a case of a female infant with cblC deficiency who presented with seizures, developmental delay and hypopigmented cutaneous lesions. To our knowledge, the patient is the first diagnosed with cblC deficiency who had skin hypopigmentation.

Background: The diagnostic role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in laryngeal atypical hyperplasia, vocal fold nodule, and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma was examined., Methods: Specimens obtained from patients diagnosed with vocal fold nodule (n = 35), atypical hyperplasia (n = 35), laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (n = 35), and clinical parameters were evaluated retrospectively., Results: Although no staining was observed in patients with vocal fold nodules, staining was noted in laryngeal atypical hyperplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. The percentage of COX-2 staining was the highest in the carcinoma group., Conclusion: It was determined that COX-2 staining was significantly associated with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. It should be noted that overexpression of COX-2, a potentially important factor in the evolution of carcinogenesis in precancerous lesions, might be an indicator of the development of carcinoma., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objectives: Recent studies on the etiopathogenesis of nasal polyps have shown that smoking and nonallergenic inhalants such as occupational dust exposure cause chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. These factors may be associated with nasal polyps. The aim of this study was to use laboratory tests to investigate the effects of smoking and allergens on the development of nasal polyps., Methods: The study included 60 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of nasal polyposis who were treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery at our clinic and 25 smoker and 25 nonsmoker participants who constituted a control group., Results: In the patient and control groups, the mean absorbance value for cotinine in smokers was found to be statistically significantly lower than that in nonsmokers. There was a significant difference between the groups with respect to blood cotinine positivity. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of allergy parameters. In the regression model, smoking was found to be the only significant risk factor for the development of nasal polyps, independent of smoking duration, absorbance value, or cotinine positivity., Conclusions: Smoking restriction and avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke by patients with nasal polyps may be an important strategy in the prevention and recurrence of nasal polyposis. No direct relationship was determined between allergy and nasal polyposis.

Rhinoliths are nasal stones that result from mineralisation of salts around an endogenous or exogenous nidus within the nasal cavity. They are uncommon nasal masses and usually unilateral and single, situated in the floor of the nose. The patient typically presents with nasal obstruction, facial pain and foul-smelling nasal secretion. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma with rhinolithiasis has not been previously reported in the English-language literature. In this article, we present a 63-year-old man, who had unilateral rhinolithiasis with squamous cell carcinoma within the nasal cavity., (Copyright © 2011 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Success rates for revision dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) are lower than primary DCR. Scarring of the sac may limit the surgeon's ability to achieve good nasal and lacrimal mucosa apposition. The aims of this study were to assess the long term safety and efficacy of intra-operative use of adjunctive mitomycin C (MMC) treatment in endoscopic revision DCR surgery over 12-24 (mean 17) months., Methodology: This was a prospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series that included 20 adult patients (20 eyes) with failed primary external DCR who underwent revision surgery under assisted local anaesthesia. During revision endoscopic DCR, intra-operative adjunctive MMC (0.2 mg/mL) was applied to the osteotomy site of the lacrimal sac and scar tissue surrounding the surgical osteum for 5 minutes., Results: The surgical success rate was determined based on the patency of the nasolacrimal system by irrigation and resolution of patient symptoms. Endoscopic revision DCR surgery with MMC was successful in 90% of cases (18 of 20 cases). No adverse effects (eg, abnormal nasal bleeding, mucosal necrosis, infection) or any other surgical adverse events were observed., Conclusions: Adjunctive intra-operative MMC application with endoscopic DCR surgery had a good success rate in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction that required revision surgery. Further large, double blind, placebo controlled, randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Central giant cell reparative granuloma (CGCRG) is an uncommon benign, reactive osseous lesion usually located in the mandible and maxilla. Although it is histologically benign, it may be locally destructive. There is still controversy on its development and growth pattern. Surgery is the treatment traditionally recommended. In this article, we presented a 12 year-old girl CGCRG of the mandible caused by a molar tooth extraction and discussed its histopathological, clinical, radiological and therapeutic features in the light of the current literature. Also we described our additional surgical maneuver 'drilling the surgical field' after the removal of the lesion.

Objective: To investigate the serum leptin levels in patients with allergic rhinitis during the symptomatic period., Study Design and Setting: A randomized, prospective study was performed on 26 adult patients with allergic rhinitis and 20 control subjects with similar age, sex and body mass index in a tertiary otolaryngology center., Results: Leptin levels were 28.8 +/- 14.1 ng/mL in the patients with allergic rhinitis, and 20.8 +/- 13.5 ng/mL in the control group respectively. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p = 0.04)., Conclusion: Serum leptin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with allergic rhinitis in symptomatic period., Significance: Apart from its primary role in the regulation of body weight and energy expenditure, leptin may have a role in the inflammatory process of the allergic rhinitis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether polymorphism of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genotypes are associated with the risk of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)., Methods: The study group consisted of 45 white patients with laryngeal SCC (42 men, with a mean age of 54 years [range, 37-70 years] and three women, with a mean age of 47 years [range, 32-55 years]) and 104 control subjects (68 men and 36 women; mean age, 50 years; range, 28-73 years). All of the patients were primarily treated with surgical intervention. Blood samples (5 mL) were obtained before surgery or from the patients under follow-up to 5 years after surgery (mean follow-up, 27 months; range, 6-48 months). DNA was extracted from the lymphocytes by high pure template preparation kit. NAT2*5A, NAT2*6A, NAT2*7A/B, and NAT2*14A were detected by use of LightCycler-NAT2 mutation detection kit by real-time polymerase chain reaction with Light Cycler instruments. The association between NAT2 polymorphisms and laryngeal SCC was prospectively modeled through multivariate logistic regression analysis., Results: We found that the risk of laryngeal SCC was 7.3-fold higher in individuals with NAT2*5 mutant allele, 3.8-fold higher in subjects with NAT2*6 heterozygote allele, and 38.3-fold higher in NAT2*6 mutant allele. We also found that individuals with NAT2*7 heterozygote allele had a 0.2-fold less risk for the development of laryngeal SCC (p = .018)., Conclusion: In this population, patients with NAT2*5 mutant and *6 heterozygous and mutant genotypes had a significantly higher risk for development of laryngeal SCC., ((c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To investigate the possible harmful cytogenetic effects associated with chronic tonsillitis by analyzing the micronucleus frequency and other nuclear abnormalities in exfoliated buccal epithelial cells., Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 20 children with chronic tonsillitis, and 20 control subjects with similar age and sex. The ages ranged between 5 and 12 years old (mean age: 7.5). The patients were diagnosed as having chronic tonsillitis on the basis of history, throat culture and clinical examinations. Buccal cell samples were collected with a wooden spatula. The samples were then applied to clean microscope slides. Smears were air dried and fixed in methanol:acetic acid. Then slides were stained by the Feulgen reaction technique. Three slides were prepared for each subject and 1000 cells were evaluated per slide to determine the frequencies of micronucleus and other nuclear abnormalities (binucleats, karyorrhexis and karyolysis). Statistically, Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyze and compare the data., Results: The mean micronucleus frequencies in patient and control groups were 5.29+/-1.67 and 1.58+/-0.33, respectively. In the patient group, mean binucleus, karyorrhexis and karyolysis frequencies were 3.13+/-1.2, 2.04+/-0.64, and 1.74+/-0.47, respectively. However, in the control group, mean binucleus, karyorrhexis and karyolysis frequencies were 1.43+/-0.47, 1.26+/-0.45, and 0.88+/-0.27, respectively. The mean frequencies of all parameters in the patient group were higher than the control values, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001)., Conclusion: Our results revealed that children with chronic tonsillitis could be under risk of significant cytogenetic damage.

Cervical cystic masses may be a diagnostic challenge, especially in patients older than 40 years. We present the case of a 62-year-old male patient with a large cystic metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma to the neck and discuss this rare condition regarding diagnostic, pathologic and therapeutic features.

Hypothesis: Glutathione and glutathione-related antioxidant enzymes are involved in the metabolism and detoxification of cytotoxic and carcinogenic compounds as well as reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species generation occurs in prolonged relative hypoperfusion conditions such as in aging. The etiology of presbycusis is much less certain; however, a complex genetic cause is most likely. The effect of aging shows a wide interindividual range; we aimed to investigate whether profiles of (glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, T1 and P1 genotypes may be associated with the risk of age-related hearing loss., Patients and Methods: We examined 68 adults with presbycusis and 69 healthy controls. DNA was extracted from whole blood, and the GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms were determined using a real-time polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence resonance energy transfer with a Light-Cycler Instrument. Associations between specific genotypes and the development of presbycusis were examined by use of logistic regression analyses to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals., Results: Gene polymorphisms at GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 in subjects with presbycusis were not significantly different than in the controls (p > 0.05). Also, the combinations of different GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genotypes were not an increased risk of presbycusis (p > 0.05)., Conclusion: We could not demonstrate any significant association between the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphism and age-related hearing loss in this population. This may be because of our sample size, and further studies need to investigate the exact role of GST gene polymorphisms in the etiopathogenesis of the presbycusis.

Schwannoma is a benign neoplasm originating from schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath, and its occurrence in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is rare. We present a case of nasal schwannoma originating from the left nasal cavity, accompanied by bilateral nasal polyposis. A 66-year-old man presented with complaints of progressive left nasal obstruction, hyposmia, and headache. Anterior rhinoscopic and endoscopic examinations revealed a mass that almost completely filled the left nasal cavity. A polypoid mass was present in the right nasal cavity, as well. On computed tomography, the mass occupied the left ethmoidal cells, left maxillary sinus, left sphenoid sinus, and posterior area of the left nasal cavity. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed under general anesthesia and the mass was completely removed via the nasopharynx because of its size. Endoscopic anterior ethmoidectomy was also performed in the right nasal cavity for nasal polyposis. Histopathological diagnosis of the left nasal mass was schwannoma. The patient was symptom-free with no recurrence after nine months.