Turkish adolescents' knowledge on and attitude toward emergency contraception

ObjectiveAdolescents tend to be at risk for unwanted pregnancies, so detecting their level of knowledge on emergency contraception and providing them information is important to prevent such pregnancies. Hence, in two faculties at Gazi University, this study aimed to detect freshman students' level and need of knowledge on emergency contraception and to evaluate their attitude towards emergency contraception.Materials and MethodsThe study was performed with freshman students of the Occupational Education Faculty and the Technical Education Faculty. A questionnaire including questions about demographic properties, obstetrical history, status of contraceptive use, level of knowledge and opinions on emergency contraception was administered to the students. Data was analyzed statistically with the computer program EPI Info 6.0.ResultsA total number of 385 adolescents were included in the studys; 157 of whom were males (40.8%) and 228 of whom were females (59.2%). To the question “is there any way to prevent a possible pregnancy after an unprotected sexual intercourse?”, 166 students replied “yes” (50.5%), 39 “no” (11.9%) and 124 “I do not know” (37.7%). Of 166 students replying “yes,” 114 (68.7%) listed a possible contraceptive method. The mostly cited method was “morning after pills” (n = 62; 54.4%), followed by curettage (n = 15; 13.2%). Among all students, 158 (49.8%) informed us that they were aware of the presence of “morning after pills” whereas 159 (50.2%) claimed they were not. Eighty-six male students (70.5%) and 115 female students (72%) emphasized that they would use emergency contraception upon necessity.ConclusionHalf of the participants were familiar with various options to prevent pregnancy after an unprotected sexual intercourse episode, but they lacked specific knowledge about possible methods and ways to use them. Thus, it is essential that information about emergency contraception be included in adolescents' educational programs and that adolescents be provided with easily accessible medical services.     

Substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide levels in middle ear effusions of children

Abstract Conclusion: This is the first report demonstrating high levels of substance P (SP) that inversely correlate with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels in middle ear effusions (MEEs) of patients with otitis media with effusion (OME). Increased SP and decreased VIP levels might play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic OME. Objective: The etiology of OME is multifactorial, and neurogenic inflammation may play a significant role. SP and VIP levels were not evaluated previously in MEEs of children with OME. Methods: Fifty patients aged 2-12 years (mean age 5.24 ± 2.64) were included in the study. MEEs were classified as mucoid or serous based on the gross appearance. SP and VIP levels were determined using ELISA. Results: High levels of SP were detected in MEEs. In addition SP levels were significantly higher in serous samples (2910.55 ± 307.96 vs 2218.55 ± 262.30 pg/ml). There were also age-dependent changes, such that SP levels were significantly higher in children aged 2-3 years compared with those who were 4-5 and 6-12 years old. VIP levels were undetectable in 30% of patients and the mean level of VIP was 50.91 ± 16.01 pg/ml in serous middle ear effusions and 54.86 ± 15.91 pg/ml in mucoid MEEs.     

Interdisciplinary management of a patient with skeletal anteroposterior discrepancy, impacted canine, and missing teeth

For patients with complex dentofacial problems, orthodontic treatment is often not enough to obtain optimal esthetic and functional results. This case report demonstrates the treatment of a patient with skeletal anteroposterior discrepancy through an interdisciplinary approach and emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other dental disciplines to achieve the desired esthetic results.     

Luteal phase support with estrogen in addition to progesterone increases pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization cycles with poor response to gonadotropins

In this study, our objective was to determine the effect of adding estradiol hemihydrate (E₂) to progestin (P) for luteal phase support on pregnancy outcome in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with poor response to gonadotropins. Ninety-five women with poor ovarian response who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or GnRH antagonist plus gonadotropin protocol for IVF were prospectively randomized into three groups of luteal phase support after oocyte retrieval. Group 1 (n?=?33) received only intravaginal progesterone gel (Crinone 8% gel). Group 2 (n?=?27) and Group 3 (n?=?35) received intravaginal progesterone plus oral 2 and 6?mg estradiol hemihydrate, respectively. Main outcome measures were overall and clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) per patient. Serum LH, E₂ and P levels at 7th and 14th days of luteal phase were also measured. Overall and clinical PRs were significantly higher in 2?mg E₂?+?P than P-only group (44% versus 18% and 37% versus 12.1%, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between 6?mg E₂?+?P versus P-only and 2?mg E₂?+?P versus 6?mg E₂?+?P groups regarding PRs. Addition of 2?mg/day E₂ in addition to P for luteal support significantly increase overall and clinical PRs in cycles with poor response to gonadotropins after IVF.     

Female genital system tuberculosis: a retrospective clinicopathological study of 1,548 cases in Turkish women

Purpose

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has increased worldwide in the past decade and it still remains an important global public health problem.

Method

A retrospective clinicopathological study of 1,548 cases of female genital tuberculosis between 1940 and 2011 was conducted.

Results

The mean age of the cases was 29.49?years. Involvement of the endometrium was noted in 1,073, fallopian tubes in 164, cervix in 157, and 154 had multiple organ involvement. Clinically, 115 cases (7.4%) were diagnosed as having primary infertility and 12 cases (0.8%) as having secondary infertility. There was a coexistent carcinoma in 1.5% of the cases. Peritoneal tuberculosis in 21 cases and tuberculous lymphadenitis in 7 cases were seen as well.

Conclusion

The clinicopathological criteria of female genital tuberculosis in the different organs are described, and special attention is paid to infertility associated with tuberculous lesion, and awareness of the fact that the disease is still with us is thus particularly important.     

The effect of platelet-rich fibrin membrane on the repair of perforated tympanic membrane: an experimental study

Conclusion: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane could be used successfully in the repair of tympanic membrane perforation and wound healing.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin membrane in the repair of perforated tympanic membrane.

Methods: After otoscopic examination, a 3-mm perforation was made in the posterior quadrant of both tympanic membranes of 50 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Venous blood was withdrawn from the rats, then centrifuged. PRF was obtained in membrane form. The membrane was placed on the right tympanic membrane perforation. The perforations on the left side were left to spontaneously heal and, thus, formed the control group. Daily examinations were made of 20 rats and the time to healing of the tympanic membrane was recorded. The remaining 30 rats were separated into five groups of six, and histopathological examination was made. Evaluation was made in respect of the presence of oedema in the lamina propria, neovascularization, fibroblastic reaction, and inflammatory cells.

Results: The healing time of the tympanic membrane perforation was determined as mean 10.3?±?2.18 days in the study group applied with PRF and 17?±?2.40 days in the control group. Higher values in respect of fibrosis and neovascularization were obtained in the study group.     

Childhood chronic gastritis and duodenitis: Role of altered sensory neuromediators

AIM To investigate the roles of the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP), substance P(SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) in chronic gastritis and duodenitis in children.METHODS Biopsy samples from the gastric and duodenal mucosa of 52 patients and 30 control subjects were obtained. Samples were taken for pathological examination, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme activity measurements and quantitative measurements of tissue peptide levels.RESULTS We observed differential effects of the disease on peptide levels, which were somewhat different from previously reported changes in chronic gastritis in adults. Specifically, SP was increased and CGRP and VIP were decreased in patients with gastritis. The changes were more prominent at sites where gastritis was severe, but significant changes were also observedin neighboring areas where gastritis was less severe. Furthermore, the degree of changes was correlated with the pathological grade of the disease. The expression of CD10, the enzyme primarily involved in SP hydrolysis, was also decreased in patients with duodenitis.CONCLUSION Based on these findings, we propose that decreased levels of VIP and CGRP and increased levels of SP contribute to pathological changes in gastric mucosa. Hence, new treatments targeting these molecules may have therapeutic and preventive effects.     

What are the roles of perfectionism and responsibility in checking and cleaning compulsions?

Empirical findings revealed that an inflated sense of responsibility has a major impact on obsessive-compulsive symptomatology (OCS). Another cognitive variable, perfectionism, is also theoretically linked to OCS. The assumption about the insufficient but necessary role of perfectionism for OCS and the view of perfectionism as a manifestation of avoidance of serious consequences led us to explore the role of an important cognitive mediator (responsibility) in this relationship. The present study aimed to explore the mediational role of responsibility for the effects of perfectionism on checking and cleaning symptom profiles of OCS in a nonclinical population in Turkey. Findings of the present study suggested that responsibility appraisals mediate effects of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism on checking and the effect of socially prescribed perfectionism on cleaning. There was a partial mediation for self-oriented perfectionism on cleaning. The findings are discussed within the scope of current literature and implications for clinical applications are suggested.