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Objectives:To evaluate the use of the Amsler grid test (AGT) in screening for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the most common causes of blindness, in primary healthcare settings.Materials and Methods:The AGT was applied to 700 eyes of 355 people aged 50 and over who applied to a family health center in Ankara and had no eye complaints. The test was considered positive if the lines on the AGT card were seen as broken or curved, there was a difference in shape or size between the squares, or a color change or blurring was described in any area. An ophthalmologist was consulted if the AGT was positive in one or both eyes. Patients considered suitable by ophthalmologists were evaluated with optical coherence tomography. AGT results were compared with ophthalmologist examination and tomography findings in terms of AMD detection.Results:The AGT was positive in 97 (13.9%) and negative in 603 (86.1%) out of 700 eyes included in the study. A total of 184 eyes, 79 with a positive AGT and 105 eyes with a negative test, were evaluated by an ophthalmologist. As a result of examinations and tests performed by ophthalmologists, AMD was detected in a total of 67 eyes: 42 of 79 eyes with positive AGT and 25 of 105 eyes with negative AGT but referred to an ophthalmologist for different reasons. In our study, the AGT had 62.7% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity.Conclusion:The AGT is an inexpensive and easily applicable test. Although moderate sensitivity and specificity were found in our study; further studies are needed to evaluate the suitability of its use for AMD screening in primary care with limited facilities.

المخلص: أهداف البحث: العلاج بالاستنشاق هو العلاج المفضل لأمراض الرئة الانسدادي مثل الربو ومرض الانسداد الرئوي المزمن. ومع ذلك، فإن أقصى فائدة من العلاج تعتمد على الاستخدام الصحيح لأجهزة الاستنشاق. في هذه الدراسة، كان هدفنا الأساسي هو تقييم تقنيات استخدام أجهزة الاستنشاق لدى مرضى الربو ومرض الانسداد الرئوي المزمن من أجل تحديد الأخطاء. أيضا، قمنا بفحص تأثير المعلمات المحتملة على معدل إساءة الاستخدام. طرق البحث: تم تسجيل ما مجموعه 300 من مرضى الربو / مرض الانسداد الرئوي المزمن، الذين قدموا عيادات أمراض الصدر وطب الأسرة للمرضى الخارجيين في مستشفى ثالث يقع في أنقرة - تركيا ، في الدراسة. استخدمنا استطلاعًا وجهاً لوجه تضمن أسئلة حول الميزات الاجتماعية والديموغرافية والعلاج بالاستنشاق. بعد ذلك، طلبنا من المرضى توضيح كيفية استخدامهم لأجهزة الاستنشاق وتقييم تقنية الاستنشاق الخاصة بهم بسبب قوائم المراجعة. النتائج: من بين جميع المرضى، كان 70.2٪ يستخدمون أدوية الاستنشاق بشكل غير صحيح. كان معدل إساءة الاستخدام بين مستخدمي أجهزة الاستنشاق بالجرعات المقننة أعلى مقارنة بمستخدمي أجهزة الاستنشاق بالمسحوق الجاف (77.6٪ مقابل 64٪). عند مقارنة أجهزة الاستنشاق بالمسحوق الجاف فيما بينها، كانت معدلات إساءة الاستخدام أعلى بشكل ملحوظ في مستخدمي هانديهالر ومستخدمي أجهزة الاستنشاق ديسكس مقارنة بمستخدمي سانوهالر. تم العثور على الجنس ونوع المرض (الربو / مرض الانسداد الرئوي المزمن) ومدة استخدام جهاز الاستنشاق ومدة المرض ليس لها أي تأثير على سوء الاستخدام. ومع ذلك، فإن العمر المتقدم (> 60 سنة)، ومستوى التعليم الأدنى من المدرسة الثانوية، واستخدام أجهزة الاستنشاق بالجرعات المقننة كانت من العوامل المرتبطة بسوء الاستخدام. كان الخطأ الأكثر شيوعا هو ''عدم التنفس قبل الاستنشاق'' لجميع أنواع الأجهزة (بالنسبة إلى أجهزة الاستنشاق بالجرعات المقننة: 66.7٪ ، و أجهزة الاستنشاق بالمسحوق الجاف: 71.1-82.8٪). الاستنتاجات: تم العثور على معدل إساءة استخدام العقاقير المستنشقة لتكون عالية. من شأن تحديد العوامل المرتبطة بسوء الاستخدام أن يوفر عناصر لتنفيذ الإجراءات لتقليل معدلات فشل العلاج. Abstract: Objectives: Inhaled therapy is the treatment of choice for obstructive lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the maximum benefit from such therapy depends on the correct use of inhaler devices. In this study, our primary aim was to evaluate inhaler techniques in patients with asthma and COPD in order to identify common errors. In addition, we investigated the effect of various parameters on the rate of inhaler misuse. Methods: We enrolled a total of 300 asthma/COPD patients, who presented at the Chest Diseases and Family Medicine Outpatient Clinics of a tertiary hospital located in Ankara, Turkey. We used a face-to-face survey that included questions about sociodemographic features and inhaler therapy. Subsequently, we requested patients to demonstrate how they use their inhalers and assessed their inhalation technique according to checklists. Results: Of the 300 patients, 70.2% used their inhaler drugs incorrectly. The rate of misuse among metered dose inhaler (MDI) users was significantly higher than those using dry powder inhalers (DPIs) (77.6% vs 64%; p = 0.002). When DPI devices were analyzed, the rates of misuse were significantly higher in Handihaler users (p = 0.012) and Diskus inhaler users (p = 0.009) when compared to Sanohaler users. Gender, type of disease (asthma/COPD), duration of inhaler use, and duration of illness had no impact on the rate of misuse. However, an advanced age (>60 years old), a level of education lower than high school, and the use of MDI were all identified as factors associated with misuse. The most common mistake was ‘failing to breath out before inhalation’ for all types of devices (for MDI: 66.7%, and for DPI: 71.1–82.8%). Conclusions: The rate of inhaler drug misuse was high. The identification of factors associated with misuse could provide information to implement appropriate actions to reduce the rates of misuse.

Objectives: Anti-osteoporotic drugs (AOD) are essential for secondary prevention of osteoporotic fracture (OF) in patients with established osteoporosis. However, data about AOD utilization rates are scarce among patients with OF. This study was therefore aimed at determining the AOD utilization rates among those particularly vulnerable patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study followed the medical records of patients with OF starting from their first OF diagnosis date. Each patient’s preventive osteoporosis treatments (vitamin D, calcium+vitamin D) and AOD utilization rate were recorded for a 12-month period following OF diagnosis. Results: A total of 210 patients (168 females, mean age: 67.8±11.9 years; 42 males, mean age 62.4±16.1 years) were enrolled in the study. Of these, 65.7% (n=138) did not use any medication for primary protection against osteoporosis before OF diagnosis. The ratio of patients not using any type of medication for secondary prevention after OF increased from 26.5% to 51% during a 12-month period. In addition, by one year following diagnosis, AOD usage rate had decreased from 62.3% to 41.3%. Conclusion: The AOD usage rates for secondary prevention of OF were insufficient, and cessation rates were high. Identification of factors associated with decreased AOD utility rates will provide important information for guiding patient follow-up in order to reduce the occurrence of OF.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of awareness, regarding the importance of breast self examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography, and the effects of education on these issues among patients who applied to family medicine outpatient clinic for follow-up or treatment purposes. Methods: This study was done by establishing a questionnaire form, after review of necessary litetarure, to be applied in patients who applied for follow-up or treatment in a district polyclinic affiliated to the department of family medicine of a tertiary care center in Ankara. Results: A total of 434 women aged between 18-56 years participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 36.62±9,21 years. Although 258 (59.4%) of the participants reported that they performed BSE. 176 participants (40.6%) stated that they did not perform a BSE. The 38.2% of the participants have undergone a CBE and the 24 % of women expressed that they underwent a mammography.The frequency of BSE, CBE and undergoing mammography has been shown to increase significantly as education level increases. The rates of having a CBE and a mammography were also found to be statistically significantly higher in patients who had a family member with breast cancer. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the level of education was important for awareness on the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Thanks to efforts to increase educational level, we can get promising achievements regarding the awareness of both BSE, CBE and mammography performances.

Amaç: Epidemiyolojik araştırmalar periferik kandaki lökosit sayısı ile Tip 2 Diyabetes Mellitus (T2DM) arasında ilişki bulunduğunu göstermesine rağmen bu ilişki sistematik olarak incelenmemiştir. Bu çalışmada, T2DM tanısı olan hastaların (T2DM(+)) lökosit sayımı ve biyokimya tetkik sonuçlarının diyabeti olmayan hastaların (T2DM(-)) sonuçlarıyla karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır.Materyal ve Metot: Çalışmaya; 02.02.2015-30.09.2015 tarihleri arasında Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Aile Hekimliği Poliklinikleri’ne başvuran hastalar alınmıştır. Hastaların antropometrik ölçümleri, tam kan sayımı ve biyokimyasal testlerinin sonuçları kaydedilmiştir ve bu değerler T2DM(+) ile T2DM(-) grupları arasında karşılaştırılmıştır.Bulgular: Çalışmaya dâhil edilen 286 hastanın yaş ortalaması 58,7±10,5 yıl olarak saptandı. T2DM(+) (n=108) ve T2DM(-) (n=178) gruplarının yaş ve cinsiyet dağılımları arasında fark yoktu. T2DM(+) grubun ortalama lökosit sayısının T2DM(-) grubundan yüksek olduğu saptandı (7,73 × 103/ml; 7,17 × 103/ml; p=0,001). T2DM(+) grubun bel çevresi, vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ), açlık kan şekeri (AKŞ), alanin aminotransferaz (ALT) ve trigliserid değerleri T2DM(-) grubuna göre anlamlı olarak yüksek olduğu, düşük yoğunluklu kolesterol (LDL) ve yüksek yoğunluklu kolesterol (HDL) değerlerinin ise anlamlı olarak daha düşük olduğu bulundu. Sonuç: Lökosit sayısı normal sınırlar içerisinde dahi T2DM hastalarında diyabeti olmayan bireylerden daha yüksektir. Bizim sonuçlarımız kronik inflamasyonun Tip 2 diyabetteki rolünü desteklemektedir. İnflamasyonun diyabetteki rolünü açıklayacak daha kapsamlı çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Objective: Osteoporosis (OP) which is a global health problem can be prevented or the development of the disease can be delayed. To educate individuals at risk and to intervene in a timely manner will provide significant reduction in morbidity and mortality caused by OP. Possible interventions in the age group of developed OP are important to determine. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to determine information, attitudes and behaviors levels on osteoporosis at young women. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out among 18-35 years old females who attended to outpatient clinics of Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital Family Medicine Clinic. A questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, beliefs, and practices towards OP. The questionnaire to assess practices related to OP included questions on positive and negative behaviors towards OP. The positive behaviors assessed were dietary calcium intake, physical activity and exposure to sun. The negative behavior assessed was on smoking status. Results: A total of 218 women (mean age= 26.2±5.6 years) were enrolled in the study. The median score of knowledge about OP was 40, out of a total score of 100. Knowledge scores were lower than the median in 138 (63.3%) and were higher than the median in 80 (36.7%) of the participants. In the group who had high knowledge score than median (n=80); 24 (30%) were smokers, 8 (10%) were not exposed to the sun for at least 10 minutes a day and 45 (56.2%) of the participants did not achieve the recommended daily allowances for calcium and 64 (80%) were not engaged in the recommended exercises in type and duration. Conclusion: Awareness for OP is low in young women and practices towards preventing OP are inadequate. Thus, preventive measures are required in order to encourage OP-preventive life style especially before reaching peak bone mass.

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı doğurganlık çağındaki kadınların HPV ve HPV aşısı hakkındaki farkındalık ve bilgi düzeylerini ortaya çıkarmaktır. Materyal ve Metod: Çalışmaya 15-49 yaş aralığındaki 294 kadın dahil edildi. Yazarlar tarafından literatür taranarak hazırlanan anket formunun doldurulması istendi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların ortalama yaşı 30.5±8.9 idi. Yalnızca %24.5'i HPV enfeksiyonundan, %28.2'si ise HPV aşısından haberdardı. Katılımcılardan 188'i bilgi sorularından sıfır puan aldı. Sonuç: Bu çalışma birinci basamağa başvuran kadınların düşük bilgi düzeyinde olduklarını , bireysel ve toplumsal eğitimin gerekliliğini göstermiştir. Birinci basamak sağlık politikalarında hasta eğitimine önem verilmesi toplumun bilgi ve farkındalık düzeylerini artıracak ve kanser insidansının düşmesini sağlayacaktır.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge and awareness about human papilloma virus (HPV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine of women in reproductive age. Material and Methods: The study covered 294 women aged between 15 and 49. A questionnaire was prepared by the researchers based on the literature review. Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.5+/-8.9 years. Only 24.5% had heard about HPV infection and 28.2% had heard HPV vaccine. Of the participants, 188 (63.9%) got zero point from the knowledge questions. Conclusion: This study indicates that the women who apply primary care units have low knowledge levels; it is apperent that personal and social education is needed. Paying importance to patient education on HPV and cervical cancer in primary care health politics will increase knowledge and awareness for HPV infection and HPV vaccination. [Cukurova Med J 2015; 40(3.000): 517-524]

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases.Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be a risk factor for LRTI. We here report a case with the diagnosis of recurrent LRTI treated safely by empirical antibiotherapy and vitamin D supplementation in order to underline the importance of assessment and treatment of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric patients with the diagnosis of LRTI.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine vitamin D levels among obese adults and to investigate its relationship with body mass index (BMI). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of obese adult patients who were admitted to Hasköy Family Medicine outpatient clinics at Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital between November 2011 and February 2012. The subjects were classified according to their BMI as overweight, obese, and morbid obese. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-(OH)D) below 10 ng/ ml, insufficiency as 25-(OH)D 10 to 20 ng/ml, and normal vitamin D level as >20 ng/ml. Results: A total of 270 patients (117 male and 153 female) were included in the study. The mean age of study population was 46.21±12.99 years. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 37% and insufficiency in 50% of all patients. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were more common in female patients than in males. Serum 25-(OH)D levels were inversely related to BMI. . Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are highly prevalent in overweight and obese adults, especially in females and, serum 25-(OH)D levels were inversely associated with BMI. Regulation of vitamin D supplementation would be a rational approach in obese patients. (The Medical Bulletin of Haseki 2013; 51: 95-8)

Soğuk algınlığı, çocukluk çağında sık görülen hastalıklardan biridir. Psödoefedrin hidroklorür (PEH) çocuklarda soğuk algınlığının tedavisinde dekonjestan olarak sıklıkla kullanılan sempatomimetik etkili bir ilaçtır. Bu olgu sunumunda, PEH kullanımının yol açabileceği ciddi yan etkilere dikkat çekmek amaçlanmıştır.

Common cold is one of the frequently seen disease in childhood. Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PEH) is a sympathomimetic drug which is widely used for treatment of common cold as a decongestant on children. The aim of this case report is, to draw attention to serious adverse effects of PEH treatment. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(3.000): 506-510]

Cameron ülseri, geniş hiatal herni kesesi içerisindeki gastrik mukozal katlantılarda lineer uzanan ülserdir. Üst gastrointestinal sistem (GIS) endoskopisi ile incelenen hiatal hernili olguların %5"inde görülür. Cameron ülserinin klinik önemi, GIS kanama ve anemiye neden olabilme potansiyelinden kaynaklanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada Aile Hekimliği polikliniğinde demir eksikliği anemisi tanısı konulan ve etyolojiye yönelik araştırma esnasında yapılan üst GIS endoskopisinde Cameron ülseri saptanan bir vaka sunulmuştur.

Amaç: Bu çalışmada hipertansif hastaların, hipertansiyon (HT) hakkındaki bilgi düzeylerinin değerlendirilmesi, yaşam tarzı değişikliklerine uyumlarının saptanması ve antihipertansif tedavi altındaki kan basıncı düzeylerinin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Bu kesitsel çalışmaya, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Aile Hekimliği polikliniklerine 1 Şubat-30 Nisan 2012 tarihleri arasında ilk defa başvuran HT hastaları dahil edilmiştir. Hastalar, kan basıncı kontrolü başta olmak üzere tedavi hedeflerine ulaşma oranları ve bunları etkileyebilecek faktörler açısından değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmaya 340 hasta dahil edildi. Hastaların yaş ortalaması 60,5±10,7 yıl olup 222"si (%65,3) kadındı. 108 (%31,8) hastanın kan basıncı kontrol altında değildi. Erkek hastaların ortalama vücut ağırlıkları kadın hastalara göre istatistiksel olarak fazlaydı (p=0,015). Normal tansiyon değerinin kaç olması gerektiğini bilen 249 (%73,2) hastanın, 155"i (%62,2) kadındı ve 179"u (%71,9) 65 yaşından gençti (p=0,0001). 41 (%12,1) hastanın halen sigara içmekte olduğu, 46 hastanın (%13,5) düzenli diyet yaptığı ve 32 hastanın (%9,4)"ünün düzenli egzersiz uyguladığı tespit edildi. Düzenli egzersiz yapan hasta grubunda kan basıncı kontrol oranı daha yüksekti (p=0,001). Erkek hastalarda düzenli diyet ve egzersiz yapma oranı kadınlara göre daha yüksekti (p=0,09). Hastaların ancak 86"sı (%25,3) kullandığı antihipertansif ilacın ismini bilmekte ve 65"i (%19,1) ilacının dozunu bilmekteydi. Kadın hastaların, erkek hastalara göre daha fazla oranda ilaçlarının adını bildiği tespit edildi (p=0,002). 156 hasta (%45,9) iki çeşit antihipertansif ilaç kullanmaktaydı. 58 hastanın (%17,1) haftada bir kaç defa doz atladığı öğrenildi. Sonuç: HT hastalarının, hastalıkları hakkındaki bilgi düzeyi ve ilaç dışı tedaviye uyumları yetersiz olup, güncel kılavuzlara göre geliştirilmiş bir hasta - hekim ilişkisi ile hasta uyumun arttırılmasına ihtiyaç vardır.

Cameron ulcer is a linear gatric ulser on the mucosal folds in patients with a large hiatal hernia. Cameron ulcer could be seen in 5% of patients with hiatal hernia who undergo upper gastrointestinal system (GIS) endoscopy examination. The clinical relevance of Cameron ulcer is due to its potential complications such as GIS bleeding and anemia. In this report a case who was applied to Family Medicine outpatient clinics with the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and determined Cameron ulser at upper gastroentestinal endoscopy was presented. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(2.000): 315-318]

Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the knowledge of patients about hypertension (HT), compliance with lifestyle changes and to determine their blood pressure levels under antihypertensive therapy. Method: Hypertensive patients that applied to Family medicine outpatient clinics of Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital for the first time, in 2012 (between February 1 to April 30), were included in our cross-sectional study. Patients are evaluated primarily for the control and the factors that can affect high blood pressure and the rate on achieving treatment goals. Results: Three hundred and forty patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 60.5±10.7 years and 222 of them (65.3%) were female. The blood pressure was not under control in 108 (31.8%) patients. The mean body weight of male patients was statistically higher than females (p=0.015). The number of the patients that knew the normal blood pressure value was 249 (73.2%). Among those 155 (62.2%) were women and 179 (71.9%) were younger than 65 years of age (p=0.0001). Forty one patients (12.1%) were still smoking, 46 (13.5%) patients were exercising regularly and 32 (9.4%) were consuming regular diet. Blood pressure was better controlled in the group that was exercising regularly (p=0.001). The rate of male patients that were on regular exercise and diet, were higher than females (p=0.09). Only 86 patients (25.3%) knew the name of their antihypertensive medication and 65 of patients (19.1%) knew the dose of their medication. Female patients knew the name of their medication better than males (p=0.002). 156 patients (45.9%) were using two kinds of antihypertensive medication. 58 patients (17.1%) were skipping doses a few times a week. Conclusion: The knowledge of hypertensive patients on their illness and their compliance on non-drug treatments were inadequate. The compliance of patients should be improved by development of patient-doctor should be improved by development of patient-doctor relationship according to up-to-date guidelines [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(2.000): 224-232]

Tek taraflı internal karotis arter (ICA) hipoplazisi, son derece nadir rastlanan konjenital bir anomalidir. Tanı genellikle başka bir nedenle yapılan radyolojik araştırma esnasında rastlantısal olarak konulur. Sıklıkla asemptomatik seyretmekle birlikte, hayatı tehdit eden gelişimsel anomaliler eşlik edebilir. Bu çalışmada, vertigo nedeni ile araştırılırken yapılan radyolojik görüntülemelerde sol internal karotis arter hipoplazisi saptanan bir vaka sunulmuştur.

Unilateral hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery, is an extremely rare conjenital anomaly. It is usually diagnosed incidentally during radiological examination for another reason. Although mostly asymptomatic, it may be accompanied with life-threatening developmental anomalies. In this report a case determined with left carotid artery hypoplasia in radiological imaging for evaluation of dizziness was presented. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(1.000): 131-134]

Context: Family practice training takes place at primary care based training centers linked to Education and Research State Hospitals in Turkey. There is a discussion if these units are adequate to train primary care staff and if the patients of these units reflect the applicants of primary care. Aims: The aim of our study is to investigate the demographic characteristics, the effect of distance on primary care utilization, and most common diagnosis of the patients who applied to two different outpatient clinics: One urban and one rural. Settings and Design: Study was conducted from the electronic health records of the patients applied to outpatient clinics of Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital Department of Family Medicine between 1 January and 31 December 2009. Results: Total number of patients applied to both of the outpatient clinics was 34,632 [urban clinic: 16.506 (47.7%), rural clinic: 18.126 (52.3%)]. Leading three diagnoses were upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), general medical examination (GME), and hypertension (HT) in the most common 10 diagnosis. Conclusion: In our study, the rural outpatient clinic is regarded as a primary care unit in the neighborhood of living area and the urban clinic as close to working environment. We found statistically meaningful differences in most common diagnosis, gender, age, and consultation time between the rural and urban clinics. According to our results, family practitioners′ field training should take place at different primary care units according to sociodemographic characteristics of each country.

The posterior part of the hypothalamus plays a vital role in the homeostatic processes of the internal environment, including blood pressure and heart rate regulation, by means of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. In this study we measured the extracellular levels of GABA and L-glutamic acid in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) and posterior hypothalamus (PH), following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of bicuculline, a GABAA-receptor antagonist, in genetic absence epileptic rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), where heart rate, blood pressure, and EEG recordings were also collected simultaneously. The i.c.v. injection of bicuculline (0.3 nmol) produced no response in nonepileptic Wistar rats but caused an increase in mean arterial pressure in GAERS (P

Abstract.: Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), a selectively inbred strain of Wistar rats, has been validated as an experimental model for human absence epilepsy. In this model, systemic administration of ethosuximide (ETX) was shown to reduce the spike and wave discharges (SWD). In this study, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-glutamic acid levels in response to ETX injections (i.p., 100 mg/kg) were measured in the microdialysis samples collected from the ventrolateral thalamus (VLT) and the primary motor cortex (M1) area of Wistar rats and GAERS by using HPLC with fluorescent detection. Throughout the microdialysis procedure, continuous EEG recording was performed where ETX was shown to suppress the SWD activity. We demonstrated increased basal GABA levels in the M1 and VLT of GAERS, and ETX treatment did not produce any effect on higher GABA levels in the VLT, but suppressed the increased GABA levels significantly in the M1 of GAERS. All these findings denote the importance of corticothalamic circuitry and the role of increased GABA tonus in primary motor cortex and thalamus of GAERS. The primary motor cortex also seems to be involved in the SWD activity and ETX exerts, at least partially, its neurotransmitter effects through it. Keywords:: γ-aminobutyric acid, L-glutamic acid, primary motor cortex, thalamus, absence epilepsy

Unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery (UAPA) or pulmonary artery agenesis is a rare congenital disorder presenting with a wide spectrum of symptoms. UAPA is usually associated with cardiac anomalies and surgically treated in childhood. We report a rare case of a 50-year-old woman who was diagnosed with left pulmonary artery agenesis without any other cardiac anomalies. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of undiagnosed cases of UAPA in patients through a chest radiograph that suggests the diagnosis. Confirmation of the diagnosis and anatomic details can be discerned by CT scanning.