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In this study, it is aimed to determine the possibilities of cultivation of 2 taxa (Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys, Teucrium polium) belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The plants were collected from an area where plants grow naturally and cultivated in "Randomized Complete Block Design". Phenological observations, morphological measurements and plant elemental analysis were carried out in the natural and in the cultivated areas. 72 (96%) of Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys and 54 (72%) of Teucrium polium survived of the plants transferred to the cultivation area. Cultivated Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys showed higher growth compared to those in terms of plant width and number of spikes. Data on the morphological parameters of cultivated plants of T. polium was higher than that of. The highest N content for T. chamaedrys and T. polium was determined as (2.75, 2.09%) in the 2nd year cultivated plants. No statistical difference was observed in terms of other macro and micro elements in both plants of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Teucrium belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Lamiaceae is one of the important plant groups because most members of this group are used as medicinal and aromatic plants. In this study, the leaves and flowers of Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys and Teucrium polium, which were taken from both their natural habitat and cultivars, were analysed by SPME and GC-MS in two vegetation periods. The amount and the composition of volatile oil of cultivated plants were compared with plants from natural areas. Caryophyllene (12.20-23.74%) was the most abundant component in all samples of Teucrium chamaedrys except in samples from natural habitats of the first vegetation period. Moreover, 2-hexen-1-al (12.79-13.98%), germacrene-D (11.99-19.60%) and a-pinene (3.80-11.68%) were the dominant components of the T. chamaedrys, while in Teucrium polium samples, ß-myrcene (19.52-25.28%) was the common component in both sampling area of the first vegetation period, limonene (30.87-31.79%) had the highest amount in the second vegetation period. Besides, a-thujone (3.13-18.87%), a-pinene (0.94-17.93%) and germacrene-D (4.31-15.63%) were detected as major components in samples from both natural habitats and cultivars of T. polium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, volatile components of C. orientalis subsp. orientalis and C. orientalis subsp. szovitsii which are belonging an important howthorn taxa for Turkey, was determined. Leaf and flower samples of plant taxa were collected from Muğla-Fethiye in 2012 and dried in room temperature for determining to volatile contents of howthorn taxa and these contents were determined by GC-MS As result of analyses, totally 53 volatile components belonging to C. orientalis subsp. orientalis and C. orientalis subsp. szovitsii taxa were determined. According to GC-MS results, most effective components were determined as 2-Hexenal (38,55%), 3-Hexenol (13,98%), Capronaldehyde (6,81%) for C. orientalis subsp. orientalis and Propyl methyl ketone (26.60%), Butyraldehyde(9,37%), 2-Hexenal (6,55%) in case C. orientalis subsp. szovitsii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: The distinctive liver framework is converted into structurally abnormal nodules as a consequence of tissue fibrosis in cirrhosis. Cardiac dysfunction in cirrhosis was described, and the term "cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM)" was coined to describe this syndrome. Recent research has shown that the contractile characteristics of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) have a significant impact on right ventricular functions. The right ventricular outflow tract-systolic excursion is an important systolic function marker of RVOT (RVOT-SE). There has yet to be published research on RVOT function in cirrhotic patients. We looked at the relationship between cirrhosis severity and the RVOT-SE., Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine consecutive hepatic cirrhotic patients were recruited for the research between June 1, 2018 and January 1, 2022. A medical history, thorough physical examination, laboratory investigations, echocardiographic evaluation, and RVOT-SE were obtained. The patients were separated into two groups: those with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class 1) and those with decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class 2 and 3)., Results: On the numerous standard echocardiographic parameters that examined the diameter and function of the left ventricle, we observed no significant difference between groups. Nevertheless, a statistically significant difference in Right Ventricle Wall (RVW) (p = 0.014), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (p = 0.034), RVOT-SE (p = 0.003), and Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) (p = 0.042) was detected across cirrhosis groups. The RVOT-SE had a positive correlation with cirrhosis severity (OR: 0.607; 95% CI: 0.425-0.866; p = 0.006), according to multiple logistic regression studies. According to the ROC curve study, RVOT-SE 8.8 cm/s predicted decompensated cirrhosis with 72% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity (AUC = 0.715, p: 0.001)., Conclusion: In the current study, we found that RVOT-SE was related to the severity of cirrhosis. Larger patient cohorts and multi-center investigations will provide light on the notion., (© TÜBİTAK.)

Aim: Recent research has demonstrated that the contractile characteristics of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) play a significant role in right ventricular function. Pulmonary annular motion velocity (PAMVUT) is a reliable marker of RVOT function. Also, combined systolic velocity [PAMVUT added to tricuspid annular systolic velocity (St)] has been revealed as a suitable parameter for right ventricular systolic function. In this study, we examined the association between the severity of the illness in cirrhotic patients and the combined S velocities (CSV)., Methods: Seventy-four patients with cirrhosis went to the echocardiography laboratory of the Cardiology Department in our centre. Traditional echocardiographic measurements, PAMVUT and CSV values were recorded. The Child-Pugh classes of the patients were determined., Results: Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that a CSV of 23 cm/s constituted the cut-off value for predicting a moderate-to-severe form of cirrhosis with 76% sensitivity and 65.3% specificity (area uder the curve = 0.735, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: CSV values could predict the severity of cirrhosis more precisely than traditional right ventricular systolic function parameters.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of low-flow anesthesia on hemodynamic parameters and recovery from anesthesia in obese individuals undergoing laparoscopic surgery., Methods: This randomized-controlled and prospective study included 44 obese patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy operation. The patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups as low-flow and high-flow anesthesia. Further, the groups compared in terms of hemodynamic parameters, anesthesia recovery times, operation times, and arterial blood gas parameters., Results: The groups were similar with respect to demographic data. Heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, arterial blood pressure measurements, end-tidal, and CO 2 , lactate levels measurements were similar in both groups during the entire procedure. There was also no statistically significant difference in terms of arterial blood gas parameters or anesthesia recovery periods., Conclusion: Low-flow anesthesia in laparoscopic obesity surgery seems to be safer compared to high-flow anesthesia in terms of the adequacy of tissue perfusion, depth of anesthesia, and postoperative recovery., (Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal.)

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate in stable outpatients with systolic heart failure (HF) the 3 months effect of ivabradine on LV synchronization and Tei index in stable outpatients with systolic HF., Methods: We evaluated prospectively 40 (30 males, 10 females) patients with HF. All patients were evaluated before and after treatment by transthoracic M mode, two dimensional (2D), pulsed-wave (PW), continuous wave (CW), color flow and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and tissue synchronization imaging (TSI). Standard deviation of Ts of the 12 LV segments (Ts-SD-12) is the most widely used parameter of intra-LV asynchrony., Results: Thirty men and 10 women with mean ± SD age of 64.7 ± 9.9 years were included in this study. Most of the patients benefitted from some degree of clinical improvement, 12/16 (75.0%) from NYHA III to II and 18/24 (75.0%) from II to I, respectively. Resting heart rate was significantly reduced after ivabradine treatment (84.3 ± 11.4 vs. 66.5 ± 11.5 bpm, p < 0.001). E/E' and Tei index were significantly changed after ivabradine treatment (17.3 ± 9.0 vs. 14.8 ± 7.1, p = 0.02 and 0.86 ± 0.74 vs. 0.81 ± 0.69, p = 0.02). Intra-LV synchrony parameters Ts-SD-12 and Ts-12 were significantly reduced after ivabradine (46.8 ± 13.6 vs. 42.7 ± 13.1, p = 0.01 and 142.5 ± 44.0 vs. 128.5 ± 45.2, p = 0.009)., Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that adding ivabradine to the standard therapy reduced HR and significantly improved LV ventricular asynchrony and Tei index in systolic HF patients.

Aim: Heart rate (HR) reduction with ivabradine improves left ventricle filling by the prolongation of the diastolic time and increases stroke volume. But, it remains unclear what ivabradine's effect is on atrial conduction time and atrial mechanical functions. The aim of our study was to evaluate in stable outpatients with systolic heart failure (HF) the 3 months effect of ivabradine on atrial conduction time and mechanical functions., Method: We evaluated prospectively 43 (31 males, 12 females) patients with HF. Before and after treatment, all patients were evaluated by transthoracic M mode, two dimensional (2D), pulsed-wave (PW), continuous wave (CW), color flow and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and LA volumes were obtained apical four-chamber views by a disc's method. LA maximum volume (Vmax) at the end-systolic phase, LA minimum volume (Vmin) at the end-diastolic phase, and LA volume before atrial systole (Vp) were evaluated. The LA function parameters were calculated as follows: LA passive emptying volume = Vmax - Vp; LA passive emptying fraction = [(Vmax - Vp)/Vmax] × 100%, LA active emptying volume = Vp - Vmin; LA active emptying fraction = [(Vp - Vmin)/Vp] × 100%., Results: Thirty men and 13 women with mean ± SD age of 63.9 ± 10.1 years were included in this study. Resting heart rate was significantly reduced after ivabradine treatment. There were no significantly difference in LVEF, and E/A before and after ivabradine treatment. LA diameter and Vmin were similar before and after ivabradine treatment (p = 0.793 and p = 0.284). However, Vmax and Vp were significantly decreased after ivabradine treatment (p = 0.040 and p = 0.012). Moreover, LA active emptying volume and LA active emptying fraction were significantly decreased after ivabradine treatment (p = 0.030 and p = 0.008). The PA lateral, septal, and tricuspid durations were significantly reduced after ivabradine treatment (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.002, respectively). Interatrial electromechanical delay and right intra-atrial electromechanical delay were significantly decreased after ivabradine treatment (33.7 ± 12.7 vs 26.2 ± 10.1, p = 0.001; and 14.1 ± 6.1 vs 9.2 ± 6.8, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that adding ivabradine to the standard therapy reduced HR and improves significantly LA electrical and mechanical functions in systolic HF patients.

Owing to the scarcity of available information, we aimed to assess the association of migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-173 G/C genotypes and serum lipoprotein(Lp)(a) with incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) and all-cause mortality, respectively. In population based, middle-aged adults (n=1297), stratified by gender and presence of MetS, we used Lp(a) quintiles to identify non-linear associations with outcomes using Cox regression models, adjusted for MIF genotype, age, smoking status, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure. After 5.2 years of follow-up, 151 cases of incident MetS and 123 deaths were recorded. For incident MetS, adjusted HRs increased in each gender across four declining quintiles, starting from the highest quintile in men and from quintile 4 in women. The MIF CC-GC genotype appeared to contribute to the risk estimates in men. Similarly adjusted models in the whole sample disclosed that all-cause mortality tended to be inversely associated with Lp(a) quintiles and yielded an HR (2.42 (95% CI 1.03 to 5.81)) in men in quintile 2, whereas the MIF genotype additively predicted mortality (HR 1.79 (95% CI 1.01 to 3.18)) only in men. Excess risk of death was additively conferred on Turkish men by the MIF CC-GC genotype and by apparently reduced circulating Lp(a) assays, supporting the notion that 'low' serum Lp(a), mediating autoimmune activation, is a major determinant of metabolic disease risk and death. Damaged MIF protein and more complex autoimmune activation in women may be responsible from lack of relationship to MetS/mortality., (Copyright © 2016 American Federation for Medical Research.)

Background: Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is an uncommon disorder characterized by complex and recurrent visual hallucinations in patients with visual pathway pathologic defects., Objective: To describe a patient who experienced complex visual hallucinations following infarction in the right occipital lobe and epileptic seizure who was diagnosed as having CBS., Patient: A 65-year-old man presented acute ischemic stroke caused by artery to artery embolism involving the right occipital lobe., Results: Following ischemic stroke, complex visual hallucinations in the left visual field not associated with loss of consciousness or delusion developed in the patient. Hallucinations persisted for >1 month and during hallucination, no electrographic seizures were recorded through 24 hours of videoelectroencephalographic monitoring., Conclusions: CBS may develop in a patient with occipital lobe infarction following an embolic event. CBS associated with medial occipital lobe infarction and epilepsy may coexist and reflects the abnormal functioning of an integrated neuronal network.

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common causes of preventable ischemic stroke and is related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of data in Turkey on the use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), and time in therapeutic INR range (TTR) in vitamin K antagonist users and AF management modality. In this multi-center trial, we aimed to analyze, follow and evaluate the epidemiological data in non-valvular AF patients., Study Design: Four thousand one hundred consecutive adult patients from 42 centers with at least one AF attack identified on electrocardiography will be included in the study. Patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis and prosthetic valve disease will be excluded from the study. At the end of one year, the patients will be evaluated in terms of major cardiac end points (death, transient ischemic attack, stroke, systemic thromboembolism, major bleeding and hospitalization)., Results: First results are expected in June 2015. Data about major cardiovascular end-points will be available in January 2016., Conclusion: The rates and kind of oral anticoagulant use, TTR in vitamin K antagonist users and main management modality applied in non-valvular AF patients will be determined by AFTER-2 study. In addition, the rate of major adverse events (MACEs) and the independent predictors of these MACEs will be detected (AFTER-2 Study ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02354456.).

Objectives: To analyze (1) the sex-specific and age-bracket defined all-cause and coronary mortality in the 23-years' follow-up of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study, and (2) to determine the nation-wide prevalence of Type-2 diabetes and its recent trend., Study Design: Information on the mode of death was obtained from first-degree relatives and/or health personnel of local heath office. Information collected in survivors was based on history, physical examination of the cardiovascular system and Minnesota coding of resting electrocardiograms. Diabetes was defined by criteria of the American Diabetes Association without the use of glycated hemoglobin., Results: Of the 1370 participants to be surveyed, 768 were examined, in 452 subjects information was gathered, and 29 men, 18 women were ascertained to have died. Cumulative assessment of the entire cohort in the age bracket 45-74 years disclosed coronary mortality to be 7.5/1000 person-years in men and 3.74 in women, persisting to be high among the European countries. The recent decline observed in overall mortality seemed to halt as well. Of greatest concern was the finding in the past 12 years that the rate of rise in the age-controlled prevalence of Type-2 diabetes was as high as 5% annually., Conclusion: Overall and coronary mortality in Turkish adults continue to be high, while an elicited annual increase of 5% in the age-controlled prevalence of diabetes is virtually alarming and requires new public health policies.

Two highly prevalent diseases, Type-2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease (CHD), share risk factors. Excess levels of LDL-cholesterol have been overemphasized to uniformly encompass the development of CHD, and the origin of insulin resistance underlying Type-2 diabetes has not been fully elucidated. Autoimmune response has been recognized to be responsible only of a small minority of diabetes. The increasing trend in the worldwide prevalence of diabetes and the risk factors for both diseases are reviewed, the independent mediation for CHD of (central) adiposity in both diseases and the 'hypertriglyceridemic waist' phenotype are outlined. Evidence is described that serum lipoprotein (Lp)(a) concentrations, not only in excess, but also in apparently 'reduced' levels, as a result of autoimmune response, underlie both disorders and are closely related to insulin resistance.

In this prospective randomized clinical trial, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endourethrotomy with holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (HO:YAG) laser and compare the outcomes with the conventional cold-knife urethrotomy. Fifty-one male patients with single, iatrogenic, annular strictures of the urethra were randomly divided into two groups; 21 patients who underwent direct-vision endoscopic urethrotomy with Ho:YAG laser (15 W; 1,200-1,400 mJ; 8-12 Hz) at 12 o'clock position (laser group) and 30 patients who underwent direct-vision endoscopic urethrotomy with cold-knife incision at 12 o'clock position (cold-knife group). The results obtained were analyzed and compared at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months postoperatively by clinical evaluation, uroflowmetry, and retrograde urethrographies. Variables were compared among groups using Fisher's exact and Mann Whitney U tests. There were no differences between two groups in terms of patient age, preoperative Qmax value, stricture location, and length. Operative time was shorter in laser group (16.4 ± 8.04 minutes) when compared with cold-knife group (23.8 ± 5.47 minutes) (p<0.001). Recurrence-free rate at 3 months was similar between two groups (p=0.122). However, recurrence-free rates at 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months were significantly higher in laser group when compared with cold-knife group (p values were 0.045, 0.027, and 0.04, respectively). No intra- or postoperative complications were encountered. Use of Ho:YAG laser in the management of urethral stricture disease is a safe and effective method. In addition, it provides shorter operative time and lower recurrence rate when compared with the conventional technique., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Intracranial hypotension is usually seen in middle-aged adults and appears with orthostatic headache. It is characterized by low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and pachymeningeal-dural thickening on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Lumbar puncture, dural rupture with CSF leakage secondary to spinal anesthesia or spinal traumas, and under-production or over-absorption of CSF due to some metabolic events such as dehydration, uremia and diabetic coma are the main etiologic factors. It is sometimes considered as idiopathic when no etiologic factor is present. In addition, some connective tissue disorders have risk of CSF leakage due to spontaneous dural rupture. Neck pain, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting, and diplopia may accompany headache. CSF leakage can be identified by computerized tomography (CT) myelography, CSF-flow MRI, and radionuclide cisternography. Bed rest, fluid resuscitation, caffeine, theophylline, and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are important treatment options. In patients resistant to therapy, interventional measures such as epidural saline or blood patch can be applied. In this case report, we evaluated the results of pain treatment options in a patient having headache due to intracranial hypotension who was hospitalized in the Neurology Department of Ege University Hospital.