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Aim: The aim was to compare and contrast the lumbal area DEXA measurements made in lateral and front-back positions in the clinically diagnosed female patients with osteoporosis. Material and methods: From the female patients that were referred to our clinic due to low energy fractures that occurred in areas other than the vertabrae, whom were thought to have osteoporotic fractures, were postmenaposal with no known history of diseases, and medication that can lead to osteoporosis and fracture, with no known previous diagnosis of osteoporosis, 39 patients have been included in the study. Anteroposterior and lateral standart lumbar DEXA measurements were performed on all patients Results: The results of our study revealed that the the laterally performed lumbar Dual Energy X-ray Absorbsiometer (DEXA) measurements have diagnostic advantage in osteoporosis over anteroposteriorly performed measurements . The antiosteoporotic treatment would have beeen prescribed to 82% of the patients if the anteroposteriorly performed lumbar region Dual Energy X-ray Absorbsiometer (DEXA) measurements were taken into account, while when laterally performed measurements were taken into account the percentage was 97.5%. Conclusion: If lateral lumbar area Dual Energy X-ray Absorbsiometer (DEXA) measurements are used in diagnosing osteoporosis more patients would receive the required treatment and the risk of the osteoporotic low energy fractures could be lowered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: As urbanisation and land development rapidly increase, water quality stress due to urban stormwater runoff is becoming an increasingly prominent problem. Although a variety of technologies exist to improve urban runoff quality, ultra-urban areas pose a specific challenge. Geotextile filters, which are easy to maintain and have a long lifespan, can be an alternative to sand filters in urban areas as demonstrated in previous laboratory studies. This study examines the field effectiveness of a geotextile filter as a means of stormwater runoff treatment in Maryland. The results indicate that the filter is able to significantly reduce total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations in parking lot stormwater. Of the 18 storms analysed for TSS, 16 demonstrated an event mean concentration (EMC) less than the target value of 25 mg/l. However, no significant reduction of total phosphorus EMC occurred through the filters. Porosities and characteristic pore opening sizes of the field-exhumed geotextiles dropped 65-82%, accompanied by comparable permittivities; however, the final hydraulic conductivities of the field-exhumed geotextiles were still 25 times higher than that of a typical unclogged uniform sand. Stormwater TSS geotextile modelling developed in an earlier study was successful in predicting hydraulic conductivity decrease in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The interactions between torus and several factors such as age, gender, and dental status have not been studied comprehensively. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gender on the mandibular cortical index (MCI) and to investigate a possible association between torus mandibularis (TM) and MCI. Methods The study consisted of 189 consecutive patients referred to Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology of Hacettepe University within 30 workdays. Patients who did not have systemic disorders affecting bone density were included; and the age, gender, dental status and existing TM of the patients were recorded. Morphology of the mandibular inferior cortex was determined according to Klemitti's classification on panoramic radiographs. Results MCI was affected by age and gender (P < 0.05). No significant relationship was found between TM and MCI (P > 0.05). Conclusion In the study population, MCI was affected by age and gender. As age increased, semilunar defects could be seen on the cortex of the mandible and MCI values increased. Women appeared to have higher MCI values than men.

Introduction. Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a self-limiting thyroid disease associated with a triphasic clinical direction of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and back to normal thyroid function. Precise etiology of this clinical condition is unknown. Generally diagnosis is based on clinical-laboratory parameters. Considerable cases of SAT develop after several types of viral infections. We herein describe two cases that developed SAT after dental extraction. Cases. Two-female patients in the forties ages experienced fever and neck pain after dental extraction. The patients presented elevated sedimentation rates and SAT symptoms. After clinical diagnosis and therapy administration, symptoms resolved after one week. Conclusion. We have presented two cases experiencing SAT after dental extraction. The management and possible association with current literature were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our study, we examined the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the incidence of pneumothorax in intensive care patients over age 65. COVID-19 intensive care patients that presented to our department between April 2020 and May 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into two main groups, i.e., before and after the vaccination period. Patients were evaluated retrospectively for the following parameters: gender, age, side of pneumothorax, mortality, discharge, comorbidity, and additional pleural complications. The total number of patients was 87, i.e., 66 patients before vaccination and 21 patients after vaccination. When patients in the pre- and post-vaccination period were compared, there was a significant difference in the incidence of pneumothorax between the two groups (p<0.05). Pneumothorax was less common after vaccination. When patients with pneumothorax and tube thoracostomy were evaluated according to pre- and post-vaccination mortality, mortality was significantly higher (89%) in the pre-vaccination period (p<0.05). We consider that COVID-19 vaccines used in patients aged over 65 reduced the incidence of pleural complications, especially pneumothorax. We think that mortality due to pneumothorax in patients over 65 years of age was lower during the vaccination period. In addition, we think that bilateral pneumothorax was more common in the non-vaccinated period. As a result, we think that life-threatening pneumothorax and similar complications could be reduced by increasing the number of vaccines made in the COVID-19 pandemic and spreading it around the world., (Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital.)

Background: A pneumothorax is common in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) when non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation is performed to maintain adequate oxygenation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of elevated inflammatory markers and an elevated systemic immune inflammatory index (SII) on mortality in this patient population., Materials and Methods: Between March 2020 and May 2021, 124 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reacion positviity who were admitted to the ICU in our hospital and diagnosed with and treated for a pneumothorax were evaluated retrospectively. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet and white blood cell levels were measured. These parameters were used to calculate the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and SII, and the association of these parameters with pneumothorax-related mortality was examined., Results: This study included 39 female (31.5%) and 85 male (68.5%) patients. The mean age was 65.3 ± 12.6 years. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation was performed in 13 (10.5%) patients, and 111 (89.5%) patients received invasive mechanical ventilation. Tube thoracostomy was performed in 113 patients (91.1%), and 11 patients (8.9%) were treated with oxygen therapy. The factors affecting mortality in the pneumothorax patients were the Charlson Comorbidity Index (four or higher), IL-6 level and NLR. The IL-6 level was 53.4 in those who died versus 24.6 in those who survived (p = 0.017). The NLR in the patients who died was 16.9 as compared to 12.5 in those who survived (p = 0.011)., Conclusion: Elevated markers of infection were associated with an increased risk of mortality in pneumothorax patients with COVID-19 who received invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation in the ICU. In this patient population, high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure should be avoided, and inflammatory marker levels and the SII should be closely monitored., (© 2021. Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.)

Background: SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), which was detected in December 2019, whose first cases were observed in Turkey on 11 th March 2020, and which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on the same day, has become a public health problem worldwide and has required the adaptation of medical practices to the current situation. In the current paper, we present our experience and practices regarding thoracic surgery from the largest pandemic hospital in Europe over the 1-year period of the pandemic., Methods: Patients who were operated by our thoracic surgery clinic in the largest pandemic hospital in Europe between March 2020 and March 2021 in the COVID-19 pandemic in our country and in the world were evaluated retrospectively., Results: Eighty-five patients were operated on during the 1-year pandemic, of which 54 (63.5%) were men and 31 (36.5%) were women. The mean patient age was 47.7. Morbidity rate was 12%. The average number of PCR tests performed in the preoperative period for COVID-19 disease was 1.6. Sixteen patients had a history of COVID-19 before surgery. COVID-19 was not seen in any patient in our clinic during the postoperative period. Only one patient died out of those who underwent surgery. That patient died due to multiorgan failure., Conclusion: Thoracic surgery has one of the highest risks due to direct contact with the lungs, especially in terms of surgery and the postoperative period. We consider that this risk will be minimized by taking measures during all processes. Moreover, we think that surgical treatments should be delayed as little as possible due to the special status of oncology patients. In addition, considering that if all these rules are followed in the COVID-19 pandemic and in other types of pandemics that may occur in the future, there will be no delay or insufficiency in the treatment of patients and healthcare professionals will be able to work safely., (© 2021. Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.)

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, some factors have led to changes in the management of patients with lung cancer. In our study, we aimed to present our surgical treatment approach to patients with NSCLC during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for NSCLC in our thoracic surgery clinic between March 2020 and March 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients operated on were retrospectively evaluated in terms of sex, age, tumor staging, lung resection type, histopathological type, COVID-19 status, length of stay, complications, and mortality., Results: Thirty-five patients, 27 men and 8 women, underwent surgery for lung cancer. The 2 most common types of surgery were lobectomy (in 32 patients) and pneumonectomy (in 3 patients). According to cancer staging based on 8th TNM, 14 patients were stage 2B, 12 patients were stage 2A, and 9 patients were stage 3A. The morbidity rate was 14 %. No postoperative mortality was observed. Nine patients had a history of COVID- 19 before surgery. No significant difference was found in terms of complications in patients with a preoperative history of COVID-19. In the postoperative period, COVID-19 was observed in no patient in our clinic., Conclusion: We think that surgical treatments should not be postponed for diseases such as lung cancer, where the mortality rate is high and early diagnosis and treatment are very important. There will be no delay or inadequacy in the treatment of patients if the rules determined during the COVID-19 pandemic and other types of pandemic possibly occurring in the future are followed (Tab. 1, Ref. 23).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of UV-based processes to the removal of PAHs from soils with and without photocatalyst. PAH removal experiments were conducted in a specially designed UV photochamber. The effects of various factors, namely temperature, light wavelength (UVA, UVC), TiO 2 dose on the removal of PAHs were examined. Furthermore, evaporation ratios of PAHs during UV applications were determined with polyurethane foam (PUF) samples. Temperature increase positively affected PAH removal process. The total 12 (∑ 12 ) PAH content reduced by 86-90% in the soil samples during UV applications. With the use of UVA rays, higher ∑ 12 PAH removal was enhanced when compared to UVC rays. It was thought that in the existence of UVC rays, other aromatic compounds or other PAHs in soil converted to targeted PAHs with photodegradation. The amounts of evaporated PAHs from soil were increased with increasing of temperature and more than 90% of PAHs in the air consisted of 3-4 ring compounds. It was found that TiO 2 provided an increase in removal ratios and ∑ 12 PAHs removal ratios changed between 87% and 94%. Furthermore, the amount of PAH migrated to the air decreased during this application. During UVA-TiO 2 and UVC-TiO 2 applications, at 30°C, evaporated average ∑ 12 PAH amounts were 2.91 ng/m 3 and 6.59 ng/m 3 , respectively.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 940-nm diode laser irradiation on proinflammatory cytokine secretions [interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8] by human gingival fibroblasts in vitro . Background: Photobiomodulation has been routinely used in many dental procedures; however, the exact biological action mechanism of photobiomodulation and its therapeutic benefits have not been established. Methods: Cells derived from systemically healthy individuals were treated with three different laser parameters-6 J for 20 sec [0.84 J/cm 2 (0.04 W/cm 2 )], 10 J for 20 sec [1.4 J/cm 2 (0.07 W/cm 2 )], and 14 J for 20 sec [1.97 J/cm 2 (0.09 W/cm 2 )]-in the presence and absence of 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Laser irradiations were carried out by a 940-nm diode laser device in continuous pain therapy mode with a deep tissue handpiece. Changes in cell viability, cytokine secretions, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway expressions were investigated, and results were compared with negative (medium) and positive control (1 μg/mL LPS) groups. The data obtained were statistically analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test for pairwise comparisons among groups at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: Laser therapy with 0.84-1.4 J/cm 2 amplified IL-6 and IL-8 secretions, whereas 1.97 J/cm 2 suppressed IL-6 and IL-8 release in LPS-stimulated cells. Cell viability did not show a variation with photobiomodulation. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that photobiomodulation can alter IL-6 and IL-8 release, with cytokine suppression potency at a relatively high dose, as demonstrated previously. However, in contrast, we found that a low level of stimulation (6 J) in the presence of inflammation (LPS stimulation) may further enhance IL-6 and IL-8 release. We also found that p38 and ERK1/2 pathways are activated by LPS as well as by photobiomodulation.

SHetA2 is a flexible heteroarotinoid that has the potential to prevent and treat lung, ovarian and cervical cancer without significant toxicity. A simple and reliable high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed to determine SHetA2 concentrations in the lungs, reproductive organs and plasma of mice. SHetA2 was extracted from these biological matrices by solid phase and liquid-liquid extraction in the presence of 4% H 3 PO 4 and acetonitrile followed by filtration through a Captiva ® filtration plate. Drug concentrations in the filtrates were quantified by a Waters HPLC Alliance system coupled with XBridge ® C 18 column, guard column and UV detection at 361 nm. The mobile phase consisted of methanol and 0.25 N sodium acetate buffer (80:20, v/v) at pH: 3. SHetA2 was eluted after 5.35 and 6.14 min for tissues and plasma, respectively. Recovery of SHetA2 from biological samples was more than 95% of the spiked amount in tissues and more than 80% of the spiked amount in plasma. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.005 μg/mL and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.025 μg/mL, which were 280 and 56 times lower than the predicted therapeutic concentration of SHetA2, respectively. The method was suitable to quantify SHetA2 concentrations in biological matrices from animal studies administering the drug by the vaginal, pulmonary and oral routes that had the purpose of determining the pharmacokinetic parameters of drug disposition. The HPLC method developed meets the ICH Harmonized Tripartite Guideline of a reliable, sensitive, reproducible and accurate method to be used in the determination of drug concentrations in biological samples., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)