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To evaluate the clinical characteristics, surgical approach and visual results in pediatric traumatic cataract.Data of pediatric and adult traumatic cataract patients were retrospectively analyzed. Age, gender, cause and zone of trauma, additional clinical findings, initial and final visual acuity (VA) were analyzed and compared between groups.The mean age of 18 patients in the pediatric group was 9.4(SD 5.7); 18 patients in the adult group was 47.8(16.2) years. There was a male predominance in both groups (12/16 male, respectively). The most common cause of trauma was sharp metal objects (50%) in the pediatric group and wooden and traffic accidents (33%) in the adult group. The initial mean VA of the patients were 0.03(0.09), 0.09(0.1) in the pediatric and adult groups, respectively, (p: 0.34). The mean ocular trauma score (OTS) was 51.4(16.4) and 59.6(10.5) in the pediatric and adult groups, respectively (p: 0.09). Simultaneous surgery was performed in 5 (28%) eyes in both groups. Subsequent lens extraction and IOL implantation were performed in 10 of pediatric and 13 of adult patients. The final VA was 0.3(0.7), 0.3(0.4) in the pediatric and adult group, respectively (p: 0.94). Final VA was correlated with OTS in both of the groups and the presence of additional surgery in the pediatric group.Traumatic cataract is a major cause of visual loss in children. Lower OTS and presence of additional surgery were the prognostic factors for poor final VA in the pediatric cases. Optimal timing and accurate management of traumatic cataract are important in the pediatric population.

It is seen that money takes different forms in line with the changing needs and technological developments throughout the historical process. Recently, cryptocurrencies have been included in our lives with Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a digital currency that functions using cryptographic techniques and without the need for the control of a central authority. As a result of technological developments, it is seen that the interest in Bitcoin, which has entered our lives as a new monetary tool and is predicted to be an alternative to currencies, is increasing. In this article, the machine learning method, which is a branch of artificial intelligence, is used as a method. In the example of Turkey, the daily closing data of bitcoin for 2016 were used. The machine learning method is aimed to predict the closing prices of the bitcoin market.According to the analysis findings, it is seen that the closing prices realized in the 4th quarter are higher than the closing prices realized in the 1st quarter. If the volume USD is higher than 5517.34 then it is Q1. Some rules have been produced with the Machine Learning method.It is aimed to contribute to the literature by using themachine learning method for predicting Bitcoin closing prices.

Amaç: Travmatik hifema nedeniyle takip edilen olgularda demografik ve klinik özelliklerin incelenmesi ve görsel prognoza etki eden faktörlerin değerlendirilmesi Gereç -Yöntem: Travmatik hifema tanısıyla takip edilen 48 hastanın dosyaları geriye dönük olarak taranarak; yaş, cinsiyet, yaralanma nedeni, hifema düzeyi, başlangıç en iyi düzeltilmiş görme keskinliği (EİDGK), eşlik eden klinik bulgular, son muayenedeki EİDGK incelendi. EİDGK’ne etki eden prognostik faktörler incelendi. Bulgular: Hastaların (38 erkek,10 kadın) yaş ortalaması 39.5±21.6 yıl olup; en sık travma nedeni odun çarpmasına bağlı künt travma (%25) idi. Hifema düzeyi değerlendirildiğinde en sık Evre 1(%41.66) hifema mevcuttu. Travmaya eşlik eden bulgular; 23 gözde (%47.91) kornea epitel defekti,11 gözde (%22.91) iridodiyaliz, 7 gözde (%14,58) fakodonezis,10 gözde (%20.83) vitreus hemorajisi idi. Başvuru anında 35 gözde göz içi basıncı (GİB) yüksek olup medikal tedavi ile kontrol altına alındı, 3 gözde ön kamara lavajı yapılması gerekti. Hastaların başlangıç,1.hafta ve 3.ay EİDGK sırasıyla 1.7 ±0.8; 0.5±0.5; 0.2±0.3 (LogMAR )idi. Hastaların 4’üne ek cerrahi işlem (lens ekstraksiyonu + göz içi mercek implantasyonu ve/veya vitreoretinal cerrahi) gerekti. İridodiyaliz (p=0,023 r= -0,345), fakodonezis (p=0,020,r= -0,347) ve vitreus hemorajisi (p=0,000, r= -0,553) varlığı ile son görme düzeyi arasında negatif korelasyon mevcuttu. Tartışma: Travmatik hifemaya sıklıkla çeşitli ön- arka segment bulguları eşlik etmekte olup; iridodiyaliz, fakodonezis ve vitreus hemorajisi varlığı görme prognozunu olumsuz etkilemektedir.

Son dönemde yapılan çalışmaların sonuçları, finansal kalkınmanın ekonomik büyümeyi farklı kanallar vasıtasıyla etkilediği, finansal kalkınma ve dışa açılma arasında da karşılıklı etkileşim olduğu ve ayrıca ekonomik büyüme-finansal kalkınma ilişkisinin doğrusal olmadığına ilişkin güçlü bulgular sunmaktadır. Bu çalışma, finansal kalkınma ve ekonomik büyüme arasındaki ilişki ve bu ilişkinin zaman içerisinde nasıl değişim gösterdiğini, 1987Q1-2020Q4 dönemine ilişkin üç aylık Türkiye ekonomisi verileri yardımıyla incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada, finansal kalkınma kavramı, finansal kalkınmanın farklı boyutlarını bir araya getiren finansal kalkınma endeksi yardımıyla ve finansal kalkınma-ekonomik büyüme ilişkisinin doğasının doğrusal olup olmadığı da, düzgün geçiş otoregresif modeller yardımıyla analiz edilmektedir. Ayrıca, bu çalışmada, finansal kalkınma ve dışa açılma arasındaki ilişkilerde dikkate alınarak, modele dışa açılma değişkeni da dâhil edilmiştir. Çalışma Türkiye ekonomisi açısından finansal kalkınma düzeyi ve dışa açıklığın büyüme üzerine etkisinin olup olmadığının belirlenebilmesi açısından önem taşımaktadır. Bu çalışmanın temel bulguları ilk olarak, finansal kalkınma-büyüme ilişkisine yönelik ampirik çalışmalarda finansal kalkınmanın farklı boyutlarını temsil edebilen kapsamlı bir endeksin oluşturulmasının önemli olduğunu göstermiştir. İkinci olarak, dışa açıklığın ekonomik büyüme üzerindeki etkilerinin, finansal kalkınma eşik değerlerine bağlı olarak farklılık gösterdiği görülmüştür. Üçüncü olarak, çalışmanın bulguları, finansal kalkınma-ekonomik büyüme arasındaki ilişkinin lineer olmadığını haliyle düzgün geçiş otoregresif modeller kullanılarak yapılan çalışmaların finansal kalkınma-ekonomik büyüme arasındaki ilişkinin ampirik analizinde kullanılmasının daha doğru olduğunu göstermiştir. Son olarak, bu çalışmada elde edilen bulgular, finansal ve ticari liberalizasyon arasında yakın ilişkinin olduğunu, finansal kalkınma-ekonomik büyüme modellerinde dışa açılma değişkeninin de mutlaka yer alması gerektiğini ve finansal kalkınma düzeyindeki artışla birlikte dışa açıklığın büyüme üzerindeki etkisinin de arttığı göstermektedir.

Purpose To evaluate the serum inflammatory marker levels in serous macular detachment (SMD) secondary to diabetic macular edema (DME). Material and Methods Patients with DME were divided into two groups according to the presence of SMD. Group 1 consisted of 40 patients with SMD, Group 2 consisted of 40 patients without SMD, and Group 3 consisted of 40 healthy subjects. Neutrophil and mean platelet volume (MPV) were obtained from blood samples. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) were calculated. In Group 1 and 2 sub-group analysis was done according to grade of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the results were analyzed in these subgroups. Results The neutrophils, MPV, NLR, and SII levels were significantly higher in Group 1 ( p = 0.000, p = 0.004, p = 0.000, p = 0.001, respectively). In subgroup analysis; the neutrophils, NLR, and SII levels were significantly higher in patients with proliferative DR ( p = 0.044, p = 0.046, p = 0.046, respectively) and the SII levels were significantly higher in patients with severe nonproliferative DR in Group 1 ( p = 0.039). The mean CMT values were 548.8 ± 138.3 µm in Group 1 and 420.1 ± 112.7 µm in Group 2. The CMT values were significantly higher in Group 1 ( p: 0.000). However, there was no significant correlation between the CMT values and the systemic inflamatuar markers levels ( p>0.05) in both of the groups. Conclusions NLR and SII levels were significantly higher in DME with SMD, especially in advanced cases. Elevated serum inflammatory markers might be associated with a higher incidence of SMD.

This study investigates the effects of gold imports, energy imports and short-term capital inflows on current account deficits using Turkish quarterly data for the period 1996Q1–2021Q1. To this end, first, the current account deficit model is built based on the literature review and estimated using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. Then the presence of cointegration among relevant variables is tested by employing bonds testing, and then the error correction model is estimated. The bonds testing results indicate cointegration among current account deficits, gold imports, energy imports, portfolio investment, foreign direct investment, reel effective exchange rate, real gross domestic products, openness, and financial development proxies. The empirical findings of this study reveal that while gold imports play a significant deteriorating role on Turkish current account deficits in the short and in the long term, energy imports and portfolio investment only have a short-term effect. Furthermore, appreciation of Turkish currency seems to increase current account deficits only in the long term; it has no short-term effect. Interestingly, the openness proxy, which is being used as a measure of international trade integration of a country to the world economy, exerts no effect on current account deficits neither in the long-term and nor in the short-term., Bu çalışmada Türkiye'nin 1996Q1–2021Q1 dönemlerindeki altın ithalatı, enerji ithalatı ve kısa vadeli sermaye girişlerinin cari açık üzerindeki etkilerinin çeyreklik veriler kullanılarak tespit edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla öncelikle literatür taramasına dayalı olarak cari açık modeli oluşturulmuş ve otoregresif dağıtılmış gecikme (ARDL) modeli kullanılarak tahmin edilmiştir. Daha sonra ilgili değişkenler arasında eşbütünleşmenin varlığı sınır testi uygulanarak test edilmiş ve ardından hata düzeltme modeli tahmin edilmiştir. Sınır testi sonuçları, cari açıklar, altın ithalatı, enerji ithalatı, portföy yatırımı, doğrudan yabancı yatırım, reel efektif döviz kuru, reel gayri safi yurtiçi hasıla, açıklık ve finansal gelişme değişkenleri arasındaki eşbütünleşmeyi göstermektedir. Çalışmanın ampirik bulguları, altın ithalatının kısa ve uzun vadede Türkiye'nin cari işlemler açığı üzerinde önemli bir bozucu rol oynadığını, ancak enerji ithalatının ve portföy yatırımlarının sadece kısa vadede etkili olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Ayrıca, Türk parasının değer kazanması cari açığı sadece uzun vadede artırıyor gibi görünmekte iken kısa vadede bir etki tespit edilememiştir. İlginçtir ki, bir ülkenin uluslararası ticaretle dünya ekonomisine entegrasyonunun bir ölçüsü olarak kullanılan açıklığın ne uzun vadede ne de kısa vadede cari açıklar üzerinde herhangi bir etkisi görülmemiştir.

This study aims to test current account deficits (CAD) sustainability for Turkish data of 1992Q1-2021Q1. To this end, an empirical model that relates real exports to real imports plus interest payments on external debt is estimated using both linear and non-linear ARDL (NARDL) technique, and linear and asymmetric cointegration among the model variables is tested with the bound test for cointegration approach. While the bound test result of the linear ARDL model provides no evidence to support the sustainability of the current account, the NARDL bound test results indicate that Turkey’s current account balance is sustainable. Moreover, the study results have shown that both positive and negative shocks to imports affect exports significantly and asymmetrically in the short-run and the long-run. Although the impact of positive shocks to imports on exports is significantly higher than the impact of negative shocks, in the long run, the negative shocks cause export growth to decrease at a higher rate than positive shocks in the short-run.

Amaç: Kapsül yetmezliğinde, katlanabilir arka kamara (AK) göz içi lenslerin irise sütürlü (İSGİL) implantasyonunun avantajları, dezavantajları, cerrahi tekniği ve postoperatif komplikasyonlar araştırıldı. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Kapsül ve zonül yetmezliği nedeni ile kapsül içi GİL implantasyonu yapılamayan, bu nedenle katlanabilir AK GİL’i irise sütüre ederek implante ettiğimiz 30 hastanın 30 gözü retrospektif olarak incelendi. Hastalar 2,8 mm’lik kesiden primer İSGİL implantasyonu (Grup 1), 6 mm’lik kesiden primer İSGİL implantasyonu (Grup 2), sekonder İSGİL implantasyonu (Grup 3) ve GİL stabilizasyonu (Grup 4) olmak üzere 4 gruba ayrıldı. Olguların tümünde preoperatif ve postoperatif en iyi düzeltilmiş görme keskinliği (EDGK), göz içi basıncı (GİB), merkezi korneal kalınlık (MKK) ve postoperatif GİL-endotel arası mesafe ölçümleri yapıldı. Postoperatif komplikasyonlar kaydedildi. Bulgular: Gruplarda EDGK preoperatif 0,58±0,20 /2,44±0,89 /0,53±0,26 /0,90±0,73 LogMAR iken postoperatif 0,33±0,57 /0,80±0,84 /0,50±0,62 /0,95±1,37 LogMAR seviyesinde idi. Postoperatif GİL-Endotel arası mesafe 3,11±0,28 /2,77±0,32 /3,09±0,37 /3,09±0,37 mm idi. Postoperatif dönemde, Grup 1’de 2 hastada kistoid maküler ödem (KMÖ), 1 hastada üveit, 1 hastada GİL desantralizasyonu; Grup 2’de 1 hastada KMÖ, 3 hastada GİL desantralizasyonu; Grup 3’te 2 hastada üveit ve KMÖ, 1 hastada retina dekolmanı (RD), 3 hastada GİL desantralizasyonu; Grup 4’te 1 hastada KMÖ, 1 hastada RD saptandı. Sonuç: Kapsül yetmezliğinde, GİL implantasyon yöntemi seçiminde hastanın klinik özellikleri, mevcut ekipmanların durumu ve cerrahın tecrübesi önemlidir. Her GİL implantasyon yönteminin, kendine has avantaj ve dezavantajları mevcuttur. Uyguladığımız GİL implantasyon yönteminin kapsül yetmezlikli hastalarda nispeten kolay uygulanması, özellikli GİL gereksinimi olmaması gibi yönleriyle, GİL implantasyon yöntemlerine alternatif olacağını düşünmekteyiz.

Purpose To report the 10 years’ results of aphakia treatment by a foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOLs) implantation into the anterior chamber. Methods Retrospective observational case series. Patients who underwent implantation of foldable PCIOLs in the AC with the haptics passing through two iridectomies to the posterior chamber were studied. Preoperative and postoperative refractive status, postoperative corneal astigmatism, lenticular astigmatism, and complications were recorded. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) was detected by ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM). Results Fifty-one eyes of 51 patients were included in the study. Of these eyes, 21 eyes were examined at 10 years postoperatively. The mean preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 1.06 ± 0.68 logMAR and postoperative was 0.49 ± 0.44 at 1 year (p

Purpose Intravitreal injection (IVI) is a common vitreoretinal procedure, and most of the patients, over the course of their disease, have to multiple IVI. Pain sensations during IVI may reduce the desire to continue the repeated IVI and cause sudden movements of the eye that to occur complications. The aim of this study to compare the effect of needle size on immediate intraocular pressure (IOP), vitreous reflux and patients’ pain experienced after the IVI. Methods A hundreds and ten eyes of 110 patients who were firstly administered intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept were randomized according to the use of needle size, 30-gauge (Group 1) or 26-gauge (Group 2). The reflux was graded post-IVI procedure. Immediately after the IVI, patients were administered to visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess the pain degree. The IOP measurements were taken 30 minutes after the operation. The average of these scores was used as the primary outcome. Results Both groups consisted of 55 patients were included the study. The mean VAS score was 2.18 in group 1 and 4 in the group 2. The reflux grade of the group 1 was also lesser than that of the group 2. IOP was comparable between the groups (26.3 ± 5.66 / 25.4 ± 4.02 mmHg). Groups were divided into subgroups according to the intravitreal agent use, there was not a statistically significant difference in the VAS scores. Conclusions Thirty-gauge needle is more comfortable and safer than 26-gauge needle for the IVI.

Purpose Although breast-conserving surgery-axillary dissection (BCS-AD) is a minimally invasive surgery, patients may suffer from moderate-to-severe pain. Several regional techniques can be used for pain control. The type II pectoral nerve block (PECS II) and the rhomboid intercostal block (RIB) are interfascial plane blocks that have been reported to provide effective analgesia after breast surgery. This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of the PECS II block and the RIB after breast surgery. Patients and methods Ninety female patients aged 18 to 65 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes I and II physical status who underwent unilateral BCS-AD surgery were included. Patients were divided into three groups (n = 30 in each): the PECS II group, the RIB group, or the control group. PECS II block and RIB were performed with 30 mL 0.25% bupivacaine. Ibuprofen 400 mg IV 3 × 1 was given in the postoperative period. A patient control analgesia device included a dose of 10 µg/mL fentanyl, which was prepared and connected to the patients. Results There were no statistical differences between groups in terms of demographical data. Postoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in the PECS II and RIB groups than the control group. The need for rescue analgesia use was significantly higher in the control group than the other groups. At all times, visual analog scale scores were significantly lower in the PECS II and RIB groups than the control group. Conclusions The PECS II block and the RIB provide similar effective analgesia after BCS-AD.

To evaluate effects of glaucoma and central corneal thickness (CCT) on optic nerve head biomechanics.Four groups were formed according to CCT measurements and the presence of glaucoma. Glaucomatous patients with thin ( 510 µ) and thick ( 570 µ) corneas composed groups 1 and 3, respectively. Nonglaucomatous patients with thin and thick corneas composed groups 2 and 4, respectively. Real-time elastography (RTE) was performed on all groups, and optic nerve strain rate (ONSR), orbital fat strain rate (OFSR), and strain ratio of orbital fat to the optic nerve and medial and lateral parts of the optic nerve (SROFON, SROFMON, SROFLON, respectively) were obtained and compared between groups. The correlations between CCT and these parameters were also investigated.Statistically significant difference was not found between groups in terms of strain rate of optic nerve and orbital fat, SRFON, SROFMON and SROFLON. There was a positive correlation between ONSR and OFSR and mean CCT in patients with CCT thinner than 510 µ (p: 0.03 r: 0.26, p: 0.01 r: 0.32 respectively).SROFON, SROFLON and SROFMON values did not differ between glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous patients with thin or thick CCTs. The correlations between CCT and OFSR and ONSR were found to be statistically significant in patients with thin CCT.

Background & objective: The postoperative period of lumbar discectomy surgery usually involves a period of moderate to severe pain if adequate pain management is not practiced. Various pain controlling methods have been used other than oral and/or parenteral analgesic administration. We aimed to examine the effect of epidural analgesia at closure (EAC) versus modified thoracolumbar interfascial plane (mTLIP) block on postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing lumbar discectomy. Methodology: It was a randomized, prospective study involving sixty adult patients undergoing single-level lumbar discectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. mTLIP group (n=30) received ultrasound-guided bilateral mTLIP block with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. EAC group (n=30) received 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine to the epidural space by the surgical team at the closure stage of surgery. Postoperatively, analgesia was performed with intravenous tramadol with a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, rescue analgesia and side effects were recorded. Results: Groups had similar demographic measures. There was statistically no difference in terms of opioid consumption from zero to 4th hr and VAS scores in the 1-2 hrs postoperatively (p > 0.05) between groups. At 4-12 hrs and 12-24 postoperatively hrs intervals, total opioid consumption was significantly lower in Group mTLIP compared to Group EAC (p < 0.05). At the 4th, 8th, 12th, and 24th hrs VAS scores were lower in Group mTLIP compared to Group EAC (p < 0.05). Rescue analgesia usage was significantly higher in the Group EAC than in the Group mTLIP, e.g. 11/30 vs. 3/30 respectively (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Preoperative bilateral, ultrasound-guided modified thoracolumbar interfascial plane block offers more effective postoperative analgesia, thus reducing tramadol consumption as compared to epidural analgesia at closure after lumbar discectomy surgery. Key words: Thoracolumbar interfascial plane block; Epidural analgesia’; Lumbar discectomy; Postoperative pain; Ultrasound guidance Citation: Çelik EC, Ekinci M, Yayik AM, Ahiskalioglu A, Aydi ME, Karaavci NC. Modified thoracolumbar interfascial plane block versus epidural analgesia at closure for lumbar discectomy: a randomized prospective study. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2020;24(6):__ Abbreviations: EAC – Epidural analgesia at closure; TLIP – thoracolumbar interfascial plane; mTLIP – modified thoracolumbar interfascial plane

CDS primleri ülke ekonomilerinde, kredi riskinin ölçümlenmesi ve kredi derecelendirme notlarının bir alternatifi olarak kullanılmaya başlanılan önemli bir parametre haline gelmiştir. Ülkelerin risk göstergesi olarak kullanılmaya başlayan CDS primlerinin analiz edilmesi açısından büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu nedenle ülke CDS primlerindeki değişimleri etkileyen faktörlerin tespit edilebilmesi finansal piyasalar için oldukça önemlidir. Bu çalışmada ülke CDS primleri üzerinde etkili olabileceği düşünülen makroekonomik faktörlerden dış borç/GSYİH oranı, işsizlik, enflasyon oranları ile GSYİH büyüme oranında gözlemlenen bir değişimin ülke CDS primleri üzerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir değişime neden olup olmadığı hususu ortaya koyulması amaçlanmaktadır. Türkiye’nin CDS primlerinin makroekonomik göstergelerden ne ölçüde etkilendiği 2010-2019 dönemi arasında çeyrek veriler kullanılarak, VAR Analizi, Varyans Ayrıştırması, Granger Nedensellik Analizi ile incelenmiştir.

Background We aimed to investigate the combination of the subcostal transversus abdominis plane block and rectus sheath block (ScTAP-RS) versus wound infiltration on opioid consumption and assess effects on pain scores in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). One hundred patients scheduled for LC were included in this study following the local ethics committee approval. Patients were randomized and divided into two groups as group ScTAP-RS and wound infiltration group (group I). After the surgical intervention, in group ScTAP-RS, ScTAP-RS block with 30 ml 0.25% bupivacaine solution was administered by ultrasound, and in group I, 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine solution was injected in three port incision sites. Patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol was programmed for 24 h postoperatively. Tramadol consumptions and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were evaluated. Results Compared to the infiltration group, total tramadol consumption was significantly lower in the ScTAP-RS group between 4 and 12 h. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in other time intervals. VAS scores were significantly lower in the ScTAP-RS group in the 4th and 8th hours at rest and ambulation. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for VAS scores at other time intervals. Conclusion ScTAP-RS blocks decrease the opioid consumption and pain scores compared to the local infiltration after LC.

Çalışmanın temel amacı Borsa İstanbul’da sürü davranışı olup olmadığını belirlemektir. Davranışsal finans teorilerini, Geleneksel finans teorilerinden ayıran en önemli noktalardan biri yatırımcıların rasyonel olmayan bilişsel özellikler sergilemesidir. Sermaye Piyasası Kurulu 04.06.2020 tarihinde yaptığı basın açıklamasına göre gözetim ve denetim faaliyetleri neticesinde, Facebook, Twitter gibi sosyal medya mecraları ile Whatsapp, Telegram v.b. iletişim sistemlerinde oluşturulan üyelik bazlı gruplar üzerinden, aralarında SPK tarafından yetkilendirilmiş yatırım danışmanlığı ve benzeri sermaye piyasası faaliyeti izni olmayan kişi veya kişilerce, yatırımcıların yönlendirilerek mağdur edilmeye yönelik eylemlerin devam ettiği görülmektedir. Bu durum yatırımcıların çeşitli şartlar ve kurallar ile dayatılmış birtakım inançların, bir topluluk ya da grup tarafından yayılması şeklinde adlandırılan sürü davranışından etkilenip etkilenmediği hususun gerekliliğini ortaya çıkmıştır. Sermaye piyasalarında sürü davranışının varlığını tespit etmek için çalışmada 2000-2020/6 dönemleri ile Borsa İstanbul’da işlem gören hisse senetleri ve piyasa göstergesi olarak BIST 100 endeksi kullanılmıştır. Sürü davranışı Christie ve Huang (1995) ve Chang, Cheng ve Khorana (2000) tarafından geliştirilen hisse senedi getirilerinin yatay kesit değişkenliğine dayalı yöntem kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda ekstrem hareketlerin görüldüğü piyasalarda bir durumda bir başka deyişle alçalan ya da yükselen piyasalarda yatay kesit standart sapmayı azaltacağı hipotezi doğrulanamamakta ve kullanılan veri setinde ortaya koyulan yöntem ile sürü davranışına rastlanılmadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which occur as a natural result of aging and androgen exposure, in predicting disease prognosis in male patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: The study was planned prospectively. The study included 63 male patients over 40 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19. The patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 based on the results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs obtained as per the World Health Organization guidelines. The presence of LUTS was assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), a subjective assessment, and the I-PSS was filled for the patients included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups based on their scores in the I-PSS survey: group 1: mild (0–7), group 2: moderate (8–19), and group 3: severe (20–35). The data of all three groups were statistically analyzed. Results: In the assessment performed between the groups, it was identified that for patients in group 3, the length of hospital stay was longer, intensive care requirement was more frequent, and their mortality rates were numerically higher. In the evaluation made regarding the time to intensive care admittance, this was identified to be the shortest in group 3. Conclusion: As a result of our study, we think that in patients with COVID-19, BPH-related LUTS can guide clinicians in predicting prognosis.

This study examines the impact of exchange rate and interest changes on stock returns and volatility of Turkish insurance companies using the EGARCH model for the period of 01/01/2009 to 15/04/2020. The results show: (i) while interest rate has a negative and significant effect on the conditional stock return, its effect on the volatility of stock returns of insurance companies is limited; (ii) however, the exact opposite is true for the exchange rate risk. The exchange rate risk exerts an important impact on the volatility of insurance stock returns but it has no effect on the mean stock returns of insurance companies; (iii) the findings also indicate that the volatility of insurance stock returns are highly persistent over time and they are more sensitive to old news than recent surprises; (iv) positive and negative news have an asymmetric effect on volatility implying that positive innovations (good news such as a market) have a larger impact on current conditional variance (current volatility of returns) than negative innovations (bad news such as market stagnation) of the same magnitude; (v) finally, the volatility of insurance portfolio’s and insurance companies’ stock returns has risen significantly during the financial crisis of 2008 compared to the rest of the sample period, This study examines the impact of exchange rate and interest changes on stock returns and volatility of Turkish insurance companies using the EGARCH model for the period of 01/01/2009 to 15/04/2020. The results show: (i) while interest rate has a negative and significant effect on the conditional stock return, its effect on the volatility of stock returns of insurance companies is limited; (ii) however, the exact opposite is true for the exchange rate risk. The exchange rate risk exerts an important impact on the volatility of insurance stock returns but it has no effect on the mean stock returns of insurance companies; (iii) the findings also indicate that the volatility of insurance stock returns are highly persistent over time and they are more sensitive to old news than recent surprises; (iv) positive and negative news have an asymmetric effect on volatility implying that positive innovations (good news such as a market) have a larger impact on current conditional variance (current volatility of returns) than negative innovations (bad news such as market stagnation) of the same magnitude; (v) finally, the volatility of insurance portfolio’s and insurance companies’ stock returns has risen significantly during the financial crisis of 2008 compared to the rest of the sample period.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of refractive errors needed to be correct in childhood. Material and methods: Children applied and received glasses prescriptions were recruited. Age, gender, spherical, cylindrical error, and spherical equivalent (SE) were noted. The refractive errors were classified as myopic, hyperopic and cylindrical errors according to the SE and prescriptions. Cylindrical errors were subdivided into myopic, hyperopic. Children were classified into 4 groups. Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 composed of children whose ages were between 0–5, 6–10, 11–15 and 16–18 years, respectively. Results: There were 846 children in group 1, 3931 in group 2, 5948 in group 3, 3896 in group 4, and a total of 14621 children. The rates of myopia and hyperopia were 72.4% and 27.6%. Myopic and hyperopic astigmatism were found in 29.1% and 11.3% of children. Myopia, myopic astigmatism increased with age (p < 0.05). The hyperopia rate decreased with decreasing age (p < 0.05). The frequency of myopia, myopic astigmatism was higher in both male and female children (p < 0.05). The rate of myopia was higher in females (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of cylindrical value between genders. The statistically significant difference was found in terms of mean SE among all groups and a negative correlation was present between age and mean SE. A lower negative correlation was stated between age and cylindrical value. Conclusion: Corrected myopic and myopic astigmatism errors were higher than hyperopic refractive errors. The prevalence of myopia increased by age and was higher in females. The need for glasses was highest in children whose age range was between 11 and 15 years.

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze the numbers and the economic burden of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents and intravitreal dexamethasone (IVD) implants administered to patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Material and methods: The retrospective case-control study included 1525 patients diagnosed with DME, neovascular AMD and RVO, and received intravitreal anti-VEGF and IVD between January 2016 and December 2018. Intravitreal anti-VEGF administration was performed within the framework of the Pro Re Nata (PRN) regimen. The prices of anti-VEGF agents and IVDs were calculated on the average of the prices in the relevant year. Results: The total number of intravitreal injections in 3 years was 5864. During the 3-year follow-up, on average, ranibizumab (Lucentis) was applied 3.56 ± 2.25 times, alfibercept (Eylea) was applied 3.31 ± 2.16 times, and IVD (Ozurdex) was applied 1.70 ± 0.83 times. The anti-VEGF numbers in 2016, 2017 and 2018 were 1997, 1801, 2066, respectively. In total, the 3-year drug cost was 3,587,812.44 USD. Conclusions: The economic burden of intravitreal anti-VEGF and IVD treatment for retinal diseases is so important to developing countries such as Turkey. The economic burden created by anti-VEGF agents and IVDs in Turkey will reduce in a serious sense, and the legal concerns of physicians will decrease thanks to the decision taken by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TMMDA).

Objectives: Investigate whether an ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can be used to manage postoperative pain in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) patients. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Setting: Single institution, academic university hospital. Participants: Adult patients who underwent VATS under general anesthesia between September 2018 and March 2019. Interventions: This study was an interventional study. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 60 patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n = 30 per group): an ESPB group and a control group. In the ESPB group, a single-shot ultrasound-guided ESPB was administered preoperatively. The control group received no such intervention. All of the patients received intravenous patient-controlled postoperative analgesia, and they were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, opioid consumption, and adverse events. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences with respect to the age, sex, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, anesthesia duration, and surgery length (p> 0.05 for each). The opioid consumption at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours and the active and passive VAS scores at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours were statistically lower in the ESPB group at all of the time periods when compared with the control group (p

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the novel combination of a long urethral stump and anterior suspension suture in patients who underwent Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) for localized prostate cancer MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 40 participating patients, 20 did not undergo any reconstructive technique, whereas the remaining 20 patients underwent reconstructive technique that included the combination of long urethral stump and anterior suspension suture. Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m(2)), age, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, prostate volume, Gleason score, D’Amico risk class, clinical stage, operation type and the application of either perioperative or postoperative reconstructive techniques, and the duration of catheterization were the parameters investigated. Continence rate was measured in the 3(rd), 6(th), and 12(th) month after the removal of the catheter. Both techniques were compared statistically. RESULTS: The control and reconstructive groups each comprised 20 patients. Between the groups, no statistically significant differences were observed in age, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, risk group, prostate weight, perioperative PSA, duration of surgery, duration of hospitalization, surgical margins, and the total amount of bleeding (p>0.05). Continence rate was significantly higher in the reconstructive group in the 3(rd) and 6(th) months compared with the control group (p

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of topical antiglaucomatous medications on central corneal epithelial thickness measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Materials and methods: A total of 153 eyes of 153 patients using topical antiglaucomatous medications and 110 eyes of 110 control subjects were enrolled. Glaucoma type, duration of therapy, the number of drugs, and drops/day were noted in the patient group. Patients and control subjects underwent ocular examinations including Schirmer test, slit lamp examination for tear film break-up time, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography for central corneal thickness and central corneal epithelial thickness. Central corneal epithelial thickness and other data were evaluated separately with regard to glaucoma type, duration of therapy, the number of drops, and drugs in the patient group. Results: The mean ages of the patients and controls were 60.1 ± 10.8 and 58.7 ± 11.2 years, respectively. The groups were similar with regard to mean age and gender (p = 0.058, p = 0.734, respectively). The median (interquartile range) central corneal thickness was 536 (54) µm in patients and 552 (53) µm in controls (p = 0.011). The median (interquartile range) central corneal epithelial thickness of patients and controls were 56 (4) µm and 60 (8) µm, respectively (p Conclusion: Using topical antiglaucomatous medications seems to affect the central corneal epithelial thickness in glaucoma patients. Central corneal epithelial thickness was thinner in glaucoma patients than controls. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography might be helpful to evaluate the effect of antiglaucomatous medications on central corneal epithelial thickness during treatment.

Purpose: To investigate whether pseudoexfoliation syndrome affects arterial stiffness by using cardio-ankle vascular index measurement. Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study included 55 patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and 106 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects. All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic exa mination of both eyes and cardio-ankle vascular index measu rements. Echocardiographic and body mass index measurements were performed in all patients, and the results were recorded. A binary regression model was used to determine the relationship between cardio-ankle vascular index and pseudoexfoliation. Results: There were no significant differences between the pseudoexfoliation and control groups in baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction, and body mass index. The mean cardio-ankle vascular index value was significantly higher in the pseudoexfoliation group than in the controls (9.47 ± 1.23 vs. 8.33 ± 1.50, p

Purpose: To assess the risk for cerebrovascular desease (CVD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients who were treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents and compare the rates of CVD and CAD with diabetic controls. Methods: A retrospective chart review of diabetic patients was performed. The need for intravitreal injection and type of agent were noted. If clinically significant or center-involving diabetic macular edema (DME) were determined, intravitreal anti-VEGF agents were used. The CVD and/or CAD occurred within 6 months of the intravitreal injection were accepted as the main outcomes of the study. The records of diabetic patients who were followed up but not needed intravitreal injections were accepted as the control group of the study. Comparisons between these groups were performed.Results: The number of patients enrolled in the study was 9751 (5243 female, 4508 male patients). Of these patients, 1261 patients were received various intravitreal injections. Patients who had CVD history were divided into two groups according to whether they received intravitreal injection or not. There was statistically significant difference between these groups in terms of CVD history (pDiscussion: The risk for CVD was seen to increase with the intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in diabetic patients. The rate of CVD was higher in patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab treatment.

Purpose: Breast surgery is an exceedingly common procedure and associated with an increased incidence of acute and chronic pain. Preemptive regional anesthesia techniques may improve postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing breast surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative bilateral serratus plane block on postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing breast reduction surgery. Methods: After ethical board approval, 40 patients undergoing breast reduction surgery were randomized into 2 groups: control group (Group C, n = 20) and serratus plane block group (Group SPB, n = 20). Group C received bilateral ultrasound-guided 2 ml 0.9% saline subcutaneously each block side, Group SPB received ultrasound-guided bilateral SPB with 0.25% bupivacaine 30 ml each side. The groups were administered the routine general anesthesia protocol. All operations were performed with the mediocentral pedicled reduction mammaplasty technique by the same surgeon. Postoperative analgesia was performed intravenously in the 2 groups twice a day with dexketoprofen trometamol 50 mg and patient-controlled analgesia with fentanyl. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Fentanyl consumption, additional analgesia requirement and opioid-related side effects were recorded during the first 24 h after surgery. Results: Compared with control, the VAS score was statistically lower in the SPB group during all measurement times (p < 0.05). The 24-h opioid consumption was significantly higher in the control group compared with the SPB group (372.50 ± 39.65 vs. 296.25 ± 58.08 μq, respectively; p < 0.001). In addition, the analgesia requirement was statistically lower in the SPB group (8/20 vs. 2/20, respectively, p < 0.028). Nausea or vomiting was observed more often in the control group than in SPB block (9/20 vs. 2/20, respectively, p = 0.013), whereas other side effects were similar for the two groups. Conclusions: SPB can be used safely bilaterally in the management of pain for breast reduction surgery as it is easy to perform, provides excellent analgesia, and reduces opioid consumption and opioid sparing effect. Level of Evidence II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Objectives: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been widely used for the treatment of urinary tract stones and is usually administered as an outpatient procedure, although the vast maj...