INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the effect of RT on erectile function.
METHODS: IIEF-15 scores of patients who underwent RT were evaluated before and after transplantation. Patients who had a kidney transplant and were sexually active with a stable partner were included in the study. The mean duration of the participants after RT was 5.9 years. IIEF-15 scores of the patients before and after RT were scored. It was evaluated in 5 different parameters (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, general satisfaction).
RESULTS: Erectile function, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and general satisfaction were not significantly improved in 4 parameters of IIEF-15 compared to pre-RT, but orgasmic function was significantly improved.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although RT did not significantly contribute to erectile function, it contributed positively to orgasmic function.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate corneal topography and visual outcomes after different pterygium surgical techniques using Pentacam Scheimpflug device
METHODS: Ninety-eight unilateral primary nasal pterygium patients underwent surgery under topical anesthesia with either conjunctival autograft (group 1) or anchored conjunctival rotational flap (group 2), both using fibrin tissue adhesive. Baseline and three-month post-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA), flattest keratometry (Kf), steepest keratometry (Ks) and posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) were investigated.
RESULTS: In groups 1 and 2, the mean logMAR BCVA increased from 0.119±0.113 to 0.082±0.086 and 0.169±0.128 to 0.120±0.121, respectively (p<0.001 for both). There were no significant differences between the two groups in pre- and post-operative ACA, PCA, Kf and Ks (p=0.686; 0.902; 0.107; and 0.592, respectively). Intra-group analysis revealed significant differences in both groups: ACA (p<0.001 for both), with a greater difference in group 1 (2.072), and Kf (p<0.001 for both), with a slightly greater difference in group 2 (1.910). Intra-group analysis revealed no statistically significant PCA changes for either group (p=0.061 for both).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Significantly improved anterior corneal topographic changes were found to be highly related to conjunctival autografting. Conjunctival rotational flap, on the other hand, was associated with significantly greater posterior corneal topographic changes.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the modified and the classical methods in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) diagnosis.
METHODS: The study included a total of 275 hands of 188 patients. First, the patients with CTS complaints were diagnosed according to the classical and the modified methods. Then, it was investigated whether there was a correlation between these two methods. The correlation agreement analysis between two methods was evaluated with the Kappa test.
RESULTS: In present study, it was found that 155 hands were (80 mild + 75 moderate) diagnosed with CTS, and 137 patients were female (85.2%). Moreover, it was detected that the modified method had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 97% regarding the classical method. In diagnosing moderate CTS, the modified method showed a high sensitivity and specificity (98.6% – 100%, respectively).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a near-perfect agreement was found between the modified and the classical methods for the diagnosis of CTS.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to reveal whether there is a relationship between prediabetes and arterial stiffness.
METHODS: Patients diagnosed with prediabetes in the endocrine outpatient clinic and healthy volunteers without any previous disease history were included in this study. Those with diabetes, hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, and those using antihypertensive drugs were excluded from the study. First, the mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) values in the right and left internal carotid arteries were calculated with an ultrasonography device. The mean CIMT value was obtained by taking the average of these two values. Then, pulse wave values were recorded using ECG and photoplethysmography electrodes with the help of the EMG device. Mann-Whitney U, Chi-Square and Spearman's rho tests were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 46 individuals, 27 of whom were prediabetes and 19 of whom were control group, participated in the study. While there was no significant difference between the control and the prediabetes group in terms of age, low and high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin, there was a significant difference in terms of fasting blood glucose, body mass index, mean CIMT and pulse wave transition time (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis, no significant relationship was found between CIMT (right, left, and mean) and pulse wave velocity or transition time.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study, it was determined that the pulse wave transition time was significantly shorter and the carotid intima-media thickness was higher in prediabetes patients than in the control group.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between the MMP-3 gene promoter methylation status and the risk of developing Achilles tendinitis in endurance athletes.
METHODS: A total of 20 endurance athletes with achille tendonitis and 20 sedantary controls were involved in the study. DNA isolation and bisulfite modification were performed from peripheral blood samples of all volunteers. Using methylation-specific primers designed for MMP-3 gene promoters, methylation profiles were analyzed by the methylation specific polymerase chain reaction method
RESULTS: In the MMP-3 gene promoter methiation analysis, the methylation frequency was found to be 75% in athletes with Achilles tendinitis, while it was found to be 100% in the control group (p<0.05). MMP-3 promoter region methylation status in the patient group was found to be hypomethylated compared to the control group.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The hypomethylated status of the MMP-3 gene promoter may have a role in developing achille tendonitis in athletes. Furher and larges studies are needed to confirm our results.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to analyze the validity and reliability of the Turkish translation of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children - Mania Rating Scale (K-SADSC-MRS), and the Depression Rating Scale (K-SADSC -DRS).
METHODS: 151 children and adolescents (6 - 18 years old) and 30 healthy controls (6 - 18 years old) who applied to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry clinic between September 2020 and May 2022 were included in the study. All participants were given K-SADSC-MRS, K-SADSC-DRS, Children's Depression Rating Scale - Revised Form (CDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Children's General Assessment Scale (CCI) and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) ) scales were applied.
RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficient of K-SADSC-MRS was found to be 0.899 and similarly, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of K-SADSC-DRS was found to be 0.899. A high correlation was found between YMRS and K-SADSC-MRS (r=0.932, p< 0.001), and between CDRS and K-SADSC-DRS (r=0.911, p< 0.001). There was a negative correlation between the scales showing opposite polarity. In ROC analyses, the area under the curve was found to be 0.927 for K-SADSC-MRS and 0.920 for K-SADSC-DRS. Intra-class correlation coefficients between the interviewers were için 0,996 (%95 confidence interval= 0,992 – 0,998) for K-SADSC-MRS and 0,980 (%95 confidence interval= 0,956 – 0,991) for K-SADSC-DRS.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The Turkish forms of K-SADSC-MRS and K-SADSC-DRS are valid and reliable scales and are suitable for use in children and adolescents in our country.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (r-ESWT) and Focused ESWT (f-ESWT) methods in the treatment of subacute coccydynia according to age and BMI.
METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized into the three ESWT groups (Radial, Focused, Sham). All patients were evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before treatment, right after 4 sessions of treatment (4 weeks), 1 month after the end of treatment (8th week), and 3 months after the end of treatment (16th week).
RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the mean VAS scores of patients aged 18-35 showed a statistically significant decrease in the 4th week only in r-ESWT group (p<0.05). VAS scores at week 16 in the 18-35 age range decreased more in the r-ESWT group than in the f-ESWT group (p>0.05). The 16th week ODI scores decreased more in the r-ESWT group than in the f-ESWT group at the ages of 18-35, and in the f-ESWT group at the ages of 36-50 compared to the r-ESWT group (p>0.05 for both). While VAS and ODI scores at week 16 decreased more in the r-ESWT group in normal weight patients, these two scores decreased more in the r-ESWT group in overweight/obese patients at the same week (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The r-ESWT could be preferable in the early adulthood (18-35 ages) and normal weight patients (BMI <25) and the f-ESWT could be preferable in the ages of middle adulthood (36-50) and overweight/obese patients (BMI ≥25) in the treatment of coccydynia.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the prevalence, imaging findings and possible related factors of incidental gynecomastia on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) in adolescent males.
METHODS: 103 non-contrast thoracic CT scans taken between the ages of 13-18 in terms of traffic accident, suspected COVID-19 or chest wall anomaly, were evaluated retrospectively. Liver and spleen parenchyma density proportioned to each other, and those below the value of 0.8 were evaluated as hepatosteatosis (HS). Retroareolar glandular tissue above 2 cm cut-off were determined as gynecomastia. Adipose tissue thickness(ATT) was evaluated at 3 levels: subareolar subcutaneus tissue(S-ATT); abdominal subcutaneus tissue(A-ATT), and the distance between the kidney posterior and fascia(I-ATT) was measured. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25.0.
RESULTS: 20 of 103 cases had gynecomastia and 7 cases had HS. No significant correlation was found between gynecomastia and HS (p=0.843). There was a statistically significant relationship between gynecomastia and I-ATT(p=0.03); HS vs A-ATT(p=0.029), S-ATT (p=0.01), A-ATT (p=0.023) and S-ATT(p=0.034). According to Pearson's correlation analysis, there was a weak correlation between gynecomastia and S-ATT (r=0.321, p=0.001), and between I-ATT (r=0.353; p=0.001); moderate correlation between S-ATT and A-ATT (r=0.508, p<0.001); strong correlation between A-ATT and S-ATT (r=0.892, p0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We showed that the amount of S-ATT, A-ATT and I-ATT are factors that may be associated with gynecomastia. The reason for this relationship may be the increase in estradiol caused by aromatase that released from subcutaneous and intra-abdominal adipose tissue. In cases with gynecomastia in the adolescent group, visceral increased adiposity may also be considered in clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to present the long-term oncological results of patients who underwent radical orchiectomy for testicular tumor.
METHODS: The data of 150 patients who were admitted to our clinic with a preliminary diagnosis of testicular tumor and underwent inguinal radical orchiectomy between January 2010 and February 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. 141 patients whose pathology result was germ cell testicular tumor were included in the study. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate long-term survival outcomes.
RESULTS: Eight (5.7%) of our patients had a history of cryptorchidism. Seventy-seven (54.6%) patients had tumors in the right testis, 58 (41.1%) patients had left testis, and 6 (4.3%) patients had synchronous or metachronous bilateral testicular tumors. Preoperative median AFP, ßHCG and LDH values of the patients were 3.6 ng/ml, 1.7 mIU/ml and 225 U/L, respectively. Postoperative median AFP and ßHCG values were 3.2 ng/ml and 0.1 mIU/ml, respectively. Fifty-fourpatients (38.2%) had lymph node involvement. The mean lymph node size was 2.32 cm. None of ourpatients had visceral organ involvement. During the mean follow-up period of 76 months, only 1 (0.7%) patient died due to testicular cancer. No death was observed in any of our patients due to any reason other than TC.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We can state that survival rates are high in centers where both surgical and medical/radiation therapy can be planned in coordination, even in patients with advanced testicular tumors.

INTRODUCTION: It was aimed to investigate the effect of topical boric acid on healing in the treatment of keratitis.
METHODS: Keratitis was created by randomly 32 of 56 healthy rats with inoculating pseudomonas aeruginosa (1x108 colony-forming units/ml 0.05 ml of solution containing pseudomonas eruginosa-PA-ATC27853) by creating epithelial defects in the corneas and randomly distributed to 4 groups. The remaining 24 healthy rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, so that; group 1 (control group), group 2 (with pseudomonas keratitis), group 3 (with pseudomonas keratitis and 4% boric acid treatment), group 4 (with pseudomonas keratitis and 8% boric acid treatment), group 5 (with pseudomonas keratitis and vancomycin+ ceftazidime given), group 6 (non-keratitis and only 4% boric acid applied), group 7 (non-keratitis and only 8% boric acid applied). At the end of the study, the ocular tissues of the rats were removed and examined histopathologically.
RESULTS: A clinically significant reduction in inflammation was detected in the groups using topical boric acid (p˂0,05). Decreased TGF-β1 staining was detected in the groups in which keratitis + %4 and %8 boric acid was treated topically (p˂0,05). Compared to the infected group (group 2), 4% and 8% boric acid administered groups revealed mild/moderate corneal edema and thickening, degeneration of the corneal epithelium, and mild/moderate inflammation in the interstitial (p˂0,05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Topical boric acid drops may be an important therapeutic factor in tissue healing and in the fight against inflammation in the treatment of keratitis.

INTRODUCTION: Ascending aorta aneurysm is a serious condition with an undetermined pathophysiology. Trace elements are essential for the effective performance of the body's multiple systems, including the immune system, and relevant information to inflammation and infections. Since inflammation may contribute to the etiology of ascending aortic aneurysm, we investigated whether trace element alterations associated with inflammation occur in blood and tissue samples over the course of the condition.
METHODS: We compared 32 individuals who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and 23 patients who underwent surgery for an ascending aortic aneurysm. During surgery, samples of the ascending aorta's anterior portion were removed from the aortic wall. The tissue's iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) levels were measured.
RESULTS: There were no statisticaly significant differences between the groups in the Zn averages of the cases divided by groups(p>0.05). Individual Cu mean values of the study group were statistically significantly lower than those of the control group (p <0.001). The mean Fe levels of the participants in the study group were identified to be statistically substantially higher than those of the control group (p <0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study, we aimed to find out more about the relationship between changes in the levels of trace elements in the tissue of the ascending aorta and aneurysm development. We believe that changes in trace element levels may involve a role in the progression of aortic aneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical meningomyelocele (MMC) is rarely seen compared to lumbosacral and thoracolumbar meningomyelocele. There are only a few series related to cervical MMC in the literature. This study presents one of the most extensive series of cervical meningomyelocele, reviewing its clinical features, surgical management, and management strategies.
METHODS: A total of 520 spina bifida patients, 25 of whom were diagnosed with cervical meningomyelocele, from January 2010 to September 2022, were included in the study.
RESULTS: 88% (22) of the patients included in the study were newborns. The mean age was 3 days. Of the patients, 52% (13) were female and 48% (12) were male. The most common sites of cervical meningomyelocele were C4-C5, C5-C6, and C7-T1 regions with similar rates of 24%. There was a cranial anomaly in 56% (14) of the patients. The most common cranial anomalies were Chiari II with 24% (6), hydrocephalus, and Chiari type II with hydrocephalus and syringomyelia with 16% (4). All patients underwent surgical resection of the sac and intradural exploration.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Cervical meningomyelocele is structurally and clinically different from thoracolumbar and lumbosacral meningomyelocele and has more favorable outcomes after surgery. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and detailed patient evaluation are recommended to identify the cervical meningomyelocele's sac and spinal cord structure and additional anomalies. Surgical treatment should be done early and intradural exploration is recommended in addition to resection of the sac.

INTRODUCTION: The increased prevalence of heart failure (HF) has also led to an increased prevalence of advanced HF. Heart transplantation (HTx) is still considered the "gold standard therapy" in the treatment of advanced HF. We sought to determine the attitudes and knowledge of patients with advanced HF toward HTx.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in an outpatient advanced HF and transplant clinic in a tertiary care center from February 2021 to January 2022 and 110 patients were included.
RESULTS: The mean age was 49.5±10.50 years and 82.7% of the patients were male. The majority of the patients (77.2%) stated that they thought HTx was religiously appropriate. However, only 50.6% of patients stated that if they were healthy, they would have donated their organs. 49.2%, received education about HTx. Only 27.3% of the patients found the education they received sufficient. The patients who received education about HTx had significantly better knowledge regarding the pre-transplant evaluation process and adverse conditions that may develop after HTx. There were no significant differences in terms of patients' knowledge and attitudes toward the HTx according to quality of life. Only the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score of the patients who were afraid of surgery was found to be significantly higher (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Patients did not have sufficient knowledge about HTx, but they had a positive attitude toward it. A multidisciplinary team should address the concerns of the patients, and assist the patients in adapting to the HTx process by providing the necessary education.

INTRODUCTION: EExcept vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aures (VRSA) and vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA), one of the important causes of failure in the treatment of staphylococcal infections is considered to be vancomycin heterogeneous-intermediate resistant S. aureus (hVISA). But detecting hVISA is a labor-intensive and specialized procedure. In our study, it was aimed to determine the hVISA rates in Methicilline-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from a tertiary university hospital and to compare the population analysis profile (PAP) method with the Satola test
METHODS: Sixty MRSA isolates were taken to the study. First of all, the MIC values of all isolates were determined using the broth microdilution method. Then the Brain Heart Infusion agar screening method developed by Satola and the PAP method, which is accepted as the gold standard, were compared for detecting hVISA.
RESULTS: All isolates were found to be sensitive to vancomycin. Satola method was perfomed and 28 isolates (46.66%) were determined as hVISA at the 48th hour. These strains detected as hVISA were re-evaluated in the PAP method. Among these only 20% (12/60 of all isolates) strains were identified as hVISA.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our study, hVISA rates were investigated for the first time in our region using Satola’s method and PAP method. In the light of the data obtained, when the Satola test and PAP were compared, it was determined that the false positive rate was high in the Satola test.

INTRODUCTION: Injury is a common health problem globally. Explosions are one of the major causes of injuries. Explosions, about half of which are caused by Improvised Explosive Device (IED), impact on the lives of a considerable number of people. The objective of this study is to analyze individuals injured and survived in the Somalia Medina Hospital as a result of IED explosions between January 1-December 31, 2018.
METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using a checklist of 907 patients identified and version 20 SPSS was used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: The majority of IED victims are between the ages of 21-50 (n = 600, 66.1%), followed by 199 (21.9%) individuals under the age of 20 and 108 (11.9%) over 50. 65.1% (n=590) of the injured are men and 34.9% (n=317) are women. The extremities (n = 580, 63.9%), abdomen (n = 235, 25.9%), head-neck (n = 85, 9.4%), and other body parts (n = 7, 0.8%) were injured by IED blasts. The procedures performed in the hospital were as follows: 520 (57.3 %) patients underwent surgical exploration and 387 (42.7 %) patients received debridement only.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study shows that most injured body part is extremities by IED explosions, and men are the most suffer from this condition. Studies should be done across the country to better understand the extent of the event.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to raise awareness for Fasciola hepatica infestation to be included in the differential diagnosis by revealing the clinical, laboratory and radiological findings and patient presentation.
METHODS: Demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings of 31 patients aged 18-90 years with Fasciola Hepatica infestation diagnosed by the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology between 01.01.2013 and 05.06.2022 were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS: Of the 31 cases, 21 (67,7%) were female, 10 (32,3%) were male, and the mean age was (40,6 ±21,1) years. All of the cases had abdominal pain complaints. When laboratory findings were examined, eosinophilia 29 (93,5%) was the most common abnormal finding. Fascioliasis suspicious lesion was observed in all cases by imaging methods.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The mean age of the cases in our study was 40,6 ±21,1 years, which was consistent with the literature. There was a history of living in rural areas in 20 (64,5%) cases. Imaging and laboratory findings were used for diagnosis. In our study, most of the cases were from the province of Van. Since watercress plant consumption is common in this region, it is thought that fascioliasis may be endemic in and around Van province. Living in this region; In cases with abdominal pain, weakness and eosinophilia, fascioliasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Bleeding that may occur after the use of dabigatran is an important undesirable consequence. With increasing age, the frequency of bleeding also increases. A 93-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with urinary bleeding. He was using dabigatran for atrial fibrillation (AF). It was observed that the patient’s aPTT (activated partial tromboplastin time) and INR (international normalized ratio) levels in the emergency department were high. Hemodialysis and/or antidote giving are known in treatment for bleeding after dabigatran. In this case, our aim is to explain that bleeding control can be achieved by giving conservative treatments (general supportive treatment and blood products) to the patient apart from the treatment methods mentioned.

There may be clinical, radiological and pathological diagnosis differences in dental lesions as well as other lesions. Cases considered malignant clinically and radiologically can be reported as benign or reactive changes after histopathological evaluation. Sometimes, we may encounter cases in the form of togetherness. 56-year-old male patient complained of swelling of the gums. As a result of the computed tomography evaluation performed on the patient after the examination, swelling in the left mandible corpus was detected. Biopsy was recommended primarily for odontogenic cysts and other cystic lesions. Here, a case that was considered to be an odontogenic cyst clinically and radiologically and reported as cholesterol granuloma and actinomycosis was presented histopathologically.

Renal transplantation is the most effective treatment method that improves the quality of life of patients with end stage renal disease. Better understanding of organ and tissue functions, development of new surgical techniques, immunosuppressive and antimicrobial treatment protocols performed for each patient increase the achievement of transplantation day by day. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small endogenous RNAs that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. In recent years, the role of miRs in nephrology in chronic kidney patients, hemodialysis patients and patients with acute rejection after transplantation is considered as significant. miRs have become an important biomarker in detecting acute rejection and minimizing graft damage with varying expression levels of miRs before and after transplantation. In addition to biopsy specimens, it can also be isolated from other body fluids such as serum, plasma and urine. Elucidating of relationship of immunological mechanisms and miRs isolated from serum and urine may allow the development of new treatment methods and more detailed examination of the graft function. In this study, we aim to explain miRs which related renal transplantation.

Sella turcica, which keeping the pituitary gland inside, is frequently used in cephalometric analysis during the orthodontic treatment planning because it can be easily detected in lateral cephalometric radiographs. Embryologically, the cartilage forming the anterior wall of the sella turcica develops from the neural crest cells. Similarly, it has been reported that the dental epithelial progenitor cells and maxillary, palatal and frontonasal development regions also generated from neural crest cells and these cells are effective in sella turcica bridging and tooth development and eruption. Thus, in the literature, the variations in sella turcica dimensions and morphology has been associated with different craniofacial and dental anomalies due to its relationship with pituitary gland, development origin, and anatomic position. At this point, the correct analysis of sella turcica, provide early diagnosis of the anomalies and pathologies that can be arise in the future. However, it has been observed that conflicting results were obtained from these studies in which subjects with different ethnical origin, age, and craniofacial morphologies were evaluated and different radiographic techniques were used. In this review, it was aimed to examine these studies which were evaluated the association of sella turcica dimensions and morphology with different craniofacial and dental anomalies.