International Journal of Current Medical and Biological Sciences

Evaluation of Tissue Oxygenation and Block Quality by Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Upper Extremity Surgery with Infraclavicular Block According to Different Arm Angles

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, üst ekstremite cerrahisinde ultrasonografi (USG) kılavuzluğunda farklı kol açılarından yapılan infraklaviküler blok uygulamasında doku oksijenasyonu ve blok kalitesinin Yakın Kızılötesi Spektroskopi (NIRS) kullanılarak değerlendirilmesidir.

Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya ASA I-II risk grubunda olan, unilateral üst ekstremite (el, bilek ve ön kol) cerrahisi planlanan ve infraklaviküler bloğu kabul eden 18-65 yaş arası hastalar dahil edildi. Kol sırasıyla 0°, 45° ve 90° abdüksiyona alındı ve hem blok uygulanan ekstremiteden hem de diğer ekstremiteden bloktan 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 dakika önce ve sonra hemodinamik veriler, StO2, SpHb, PI değeri, rSO2 ve vücut sıcaklığı kaydedildi.

Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilme kriterlerini karşılayan 91 hasta dahil edildi. Aynı hastada bloklu ve bloksuz ekstremite arasında StO2, rSO2, PI değeri ve vücut sıcaklığında anlamlı artış vardı (p<0,05). Başarılı blok sağlanan hastalar (n:85) ile blok sağlanamayan hastalar (n:6) arasında StO2, rSO2, PI değeri ve vücut sıcaklığında fark vardı (p<0,05). StO2 ve rSO2 5. dakikadan itibaren, PI değeri 10. dakikadan itibaren, vücut sıcaklığı değişimi ise 25. dakikadan itibaren anlamlı olarak yüksekti (p<0,05).

Sonuç: İnfraklaviküler blok uygulaması sırasında ön kol anatomik pozisyonda iken kolun 90° abdüksiyonunun USG görünürlüğünü arttırdığını ve daha iyi uygulama kolaylığı sağladığını, ayrıca StO2, rSO2, PI değeri ve vücut sıcaklığı ölçümlerinin blok başarısını değerlendirmede kullanılabileceğini düşünmekteyiz.

Diagnostic Values of Blood and Serum Markers for Active Disease in Children with Ulcerative Colitis

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Background:Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by colonic mucosal ulceration. The search for noninvasive tests can reduce the use of endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of ulcerative colitis is ongoing. This study aimed to find noninvasive biomarkers for endoscopically diagnosed ulcerative colitis that adequately reflect histologic disease activity.

Materials and Methods:This study is based on the retrospective comparison of the data of pediatric patients between the ages of 0-18 years who were followed up with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and healthy children who were constituted the control group. Pre- and post-treatment values of these parameters in the control group and the patient group were compared separately.

Results:The present study was conducted with a total of 72 children, including 36 ulcerative colitis and 36 healthy controls. Following a comparative analysis of four parameters (ESR, CRP, MCV, and albumin) were identified as exhibiting similar characteristics across the high and low levels. The logistic regression analysis of these parameters revealed that ESR and CRP were associated with a high ulcerative colitis diagnosis, while MCV and albumin were associated with a low diagnosis.In the ROC analysis, whereas 8.5 mm/h for ESR and 1.89 mg/L for CRP were found as cut-off values.

Conclusions:In cases where there is suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease, it would be appropriate to refer patients to procedures involving simple blood tests. This approach is preferable to reaching a diagnosis with costly, difficult-to-access noninvasive tests or invasive procedures. The presence of ESR and CRP elevation, as well as low levels of MCV and albumin, can serve as a triage tool.

Comparison Of Oxıdative And Antioxidative Parameters In The Exudative And Transudative Pleural Effusion

Gülşah Ethemoğlu, Mehmet Gencer, Nurten Aksoy — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Comparison Of Oxıdative And Antioxidative Parameters In The Exudative And Transudative Pleural Effusion

Background:

The initial step in diagnosing pleural effusion is to distinguish between transudate and exudate. In establishing this distinction, numerous parameters, particularly the Light criteria, have been utilized; however, there are instances where inaccurate results may arise. This study examined oxidative stress markers that may contribute in distinguishing between exudate and transudate fluids.

Material and methods:

This study included 50 patients diagnosed with pleural effusion and 30 healthy individuals. The Total Oxidative Status (TOS) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) parameters were analyzed in pleural fluid and serum samples using the Erel technique on an Abbott Aeroset autoanalyzer in the biochemistry laboratory.

Results: The fluid TOS and TAC values in patients with the exudate group were higher than those in the transudate group (p<0.005). The exudate and transudate group exhibited elevated serum TOS levels in comparison to the control group (p<0.005). The serum TAC level in the control group was higher compared to the transudate and exudate groups. The serum Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) values in patients with exudative and transudative effusions were elevated compared to those in the control group. Serum OSI levels were significantly higher in exudative patients compared to both transudative patients and the control group (p <0.001).

Conclusion: Oxidative marker levels are significantly increased in exudative pleural effusions. In differentiating pleural fluid exudate from transudate, we determined that assessing the levels of TOS and TAC, utilized as oxidative stress indicators, may aid in diagnosis.

Key Words: Transudate, exudate, total oxidative status, total antioxidant capacity, oksidative stress index.

Evaluation Of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use Of Patients Enrolled In Family Health Centers In Terms Of Rational Drug Use

Gokce Yerebakan, Bahadir Yazicioglu, Onur Ozturk — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Background: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) have become mainstay medications for acid-related gastrointestinal diseases like Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease and peptic ulcer disease. However, emerging data indicates potential adverse effects with long-term PPI use, including infections, fractures, kidney injury, vitamin deficiencies, and dementia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, inappropriate use frequency, medication behaviors, and knowledge levels of PPI usage among patients presenting to family health centers in Samsun, Turkey.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted over a 3-month period between December 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. The data were collected with a questionnaire filled by face-to-face interviews.

Results: The study included 826 participants with a mean age of 44.514.9 years. The PPI prescription rate was 60.8%, with 42.4% (n=213) having used PPIs in the past 8 weeks. The most common reason for use was concurrent medication effects (31.6%), heartburn (29.5%), and stomach pain (15.0%). Most (74.5%, n=615) had no Gastro-Intestinal (GI) complaints, and among those with complaints the median duration was 6 months (range 1-240 months).

Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for continued research and awareness efforts to curb the irrational use of these important medications, an emerging global public health crisis. Implementation of clinical practice guidelines can help optimize utilization, improve patient outcomes, and prevent serious side effects and drug interactions due to excessive use.

Are Forensic Reports More Complete During Night Shifts? A Retrospective Study from a Secondary Hospital in Türkiye

Erdinç Şengüldür, Mehmet Cihat DEMİR — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Backgound: This study aimed to evaluate the completeness of forensic medical reports prepared in the emergency department and to investigate how documentation rates vary according to shift hours (in-hours vs. out-of-hours) and the presence of life-threatening conditions. The goal was to identify shortcomings in forensic reporting practices and to provide insights for improving the quality and consistency of medico-legal documentation.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study was conducted in the emergency department of a secondary-level hospital in Sinop, Türkiye. Forensic cases admitted between May 1 and August 1, 2019, were analyzed. Data on patient demographics, shift hours (in-hours vs. out-of-hours), and completeness of various sections of forensic reports were collected and compared.

Results: A total of 311 forensic cases were included. Reports prepared during out-of-hours shifts had significantly higher completion rates in multiple sections, including complaints, past medical history, psychiatric evaluation, performed tests, and body diagrams. Patients without life-threatening conditions had more complete documentation in past medical history and psychiatric sections, while simple medical intervention notes were more frequently completed in life-threatening cases.

Conclusions: Shift hours significantly affect the completeness of forensic reports, with better documentation observed during out-of-hours shifts. Life-threatening conditions may reduce the thoroughness of documentation in certain report sections. Improving training and standardizing report protocols may enhance report quality across all settings and times.

The impact of Laboratory-Based Diagnosis of Synthetic Cannabinoids in the Emergency Department on Treatment, Length of Stay, and Prognosis

Sefer Burak Aydın, Altug Cengiz, Yusuf Koksal, Dogac Niyazi Ozucelik — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Introduction: Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a structurally diverse class of synthetic substances frequently misused as recreational drugs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of laboratory-confirmed SC use on the treatment process, length of stay in the emergency department (ED), and patient prognosis in individuals presenting to the ED with a reported history of SC use.

Methods: This prospective observational study included ED patients aged 18–75 years with self-reported synthetic cannabinoid use. Laboratory tests, including SC levels in blood and urine, were conducted. SC-positive and SC-negative patients were compared in terms of lab findings, treatment, ED stay, and prognosis.

Results: The study included 101 patients (95% male, mean age 25.8 years). Most presented with symptoms (55.4%) or for addiction treatment (44.6%), commonly reporting fatigue, nausea, agitation, and palpitations. SC was detected in 6.9% of urine samples. No significant lab differences were found between SC-positive and negative patients, except for slightly lower SpO₂ levels in SC-positives. ED stay duration and patient outcomes were similar across groups, with 97% discharged and 3% monitored in the ICU.

Conclusion: The laboratory diagnosis of synthetic cannabinoids in patients presenting to the ED did not significantly affect treatment outcomes, ED length of stay, or prognosis.

3D Digital Models and Cadaver Use in Anatomy Education: An Altmetric Evaluation of Publications from 2020 to 2024

Ayşe Gül Kabakci — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Bacground: This study aims to evaluate the academic and digital visibility of publications on the use of 3D printing and cadaveric models in anatomy education between 2020 and 2024, using altmetric indicators. It is hypothesized that studies focusing on 3D printing show higher engagement.

Methods: A descriptive literature search was conducted in the SpringerLink database using specific keywords related to 3D printing, anatomy, cadaver use, and education. A total of 203 English-language articles with accessible full texts and valid DOIs focused on human anatomy were included. Altmetric data were obtained from Altmetric.com, and citation counts from SpringerLink. Relationships between Altmetric Attention Scores (AAS), Mendeley reader counts, and citations were analyzed using Spearman correlation.

Results: A notable increase in publications was observed in 2023 and 2024. Articles focusing on 3D anatomical models received higher Mendeley reader and citation counts. Social media engagement was generally low; modest activity was seen on Twitter, while Facebook was rarely used. A positive correlation was found between Mendeley reader counts and citation numbers.

Conclusion: 3D printing has become a prominent topic in anatomy education research, demonstrating greater digital visibility and academic impact compared to traditional cadaver studies. Mendeley reader counts more consistently reflect academic interest than AAS. Underexplored areas such as pediatric anatomy, pathology modeling, and real-time clinical applications of 3D printing warrant further investigation.Conclusion:3D printing has emerged as a prominent topic in anatomy education research, surpassing traditional cadaver-based studies in digital visibility and academic impact. Mendeley readership proved more consistent than AAS in reflecting scholarly attention. Underrepresented areas such as pediatric anatomy, pathology modeling, and real-time clinical applications of 3D printing warrant further investigation. Altmetric analysis offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of anatomical education tools.

Root Cause Analysis in Sharps Injuries: Fishbone Diagram

HANDE CENGİZ AÇIL, DİCLE HELİN ATALAY — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Giriş: Klinik uygulama sırasında öğrenciler, sınırlı klinik deneyim, kişisel güvenliğe yeterince dikkat edilmemesi ve bilgi eksikliği nedeniyle mesleki iğne batması/kesici alet yaralanmaları açısından yüksek risk grubundadır.

Gereç ve Yöntem: Nitel araştırmanın birinci bölümünde öğrencilerin demografik verileri Demografik Bilgi Formu kullanılarak toplandı, ikinci bölümde ise kesici-delici alet yaralanmalarının kök nedenlerini belirlemek amacıyla balık kılçığı diyagramı kullanıldı.

Bulgular: Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 22,30±0,702 yıl olup, %80'i kadın, %20'si erkektir. Öğrencilerin %76,7'si hemşirelik öğrencisi, %23,3'ü ebelik öğrencisi olup, tamamı 4. sınıf mesleki eğitim öğrencisidir. Katılımcıların %46,7'si dahili ünitelerde, %30'u cerrahi ünitelerde ve %23,3'ü yoğun bakım ünitesinde uygulama yapmaktadır. Katılımcıların %86,7'sinin bir kez kesici-delici alet yaralanması yaşadığı belirlenmiştir. Öğrencilerin kesici-delici alet yaralanmalarının balık kılçığı yöntemine göre kök neden analizinde sağlık çalışanları, malzeme, ortam ve yöntem olmak üzere dört ana başlık belirlenmiştir.

Sonuç: Kök nedenler incelendiğinde kesici-delici alet yaralanmalarının tamamının önlenebilir olduğu görülmüştür. Bu nedenlere yönelik etkili bir müdahale ile yaşanabilecek maddi ve manevi zararların en aza indirilmesi beklenmektedir.