An unusual cause of stroke in a patient with permanent transvenous pacemaker

We report the case of a 61-year-old man with a stroke secondary to cerebral embolism resulting from inadvertent malposition of a permanent transvenous pacemaker lead in the left ventricle. An electrocardiogram and chest X-ray were suggestive of a left-sided positioned lead which was confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography. Because this malposition was complicated with a cerebrovascular event, transcatheter lead extraction was planned, however, the patient chose lifelong anticoagulation therapy.     

How does parental smoking affect nasal mucociliary clearance in children?

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Correlation between passive smoking and nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) in pediatric population has not been reported before. Therefore, in this...     

The prevalence of occupational asthma in auto and furniture dye workers in downtown Elazig

Occupational asthma (OA) is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and/or bronchial hyperresponsiveness occurred after exposition to dust, vapor, gas or smoke which are present in the workplace. We aimed to determine the frequency of OA in auto and furniture dye workers in our city center. One-hundred-forty-two workers in Elazig Central Industrial Centre (86 auto, 56 furniture dyes) were included in the study. The workers were questioned with "Turkish Thorax Association Occupational and Environmental Pulmonary Diseases Evaluation Form", and physical examination and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed. Follow of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and reversibility tests were performed to patients who had complaints or abnormality in PFT. The workers who had reversibility and positive daily PEFR variability were taken away from work and PEFR variables were followed. The workers had no symptoms when they were taken away from work and daily PEFR were below than 20%, accepted as OA. Twenty-one workers of 22 workers who have abnormal questionnaire, symptoms and abnormality in PFT, accepted daily PEFR measurements. Daily PEFR variability and reversibility test were positive in 5 (3.52%) workers who were accepted as OA. We detected the prevalence of OA, an important worker health problem, was 3.52% in auto and furniture dyes in industrial centre of our city. We think that the prevalence of OA can be determined with detailed history, serial PEFR follow and using PFT, in the absence of specific bronchial provocative tests. Thus, it is important to be become conscious about OA the groups who are under risk.     

Influence of laser etching on enamel and dentin bond strength of Silorane System Adhesive

Lasers in Medical Science - The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of Silorane System Adhesive to enamel and dentin surfaces that had been etched with...     

A giant unilateral pulmonary artery aneurysm: Case report

A 65-year-old man presented with a left-sided pulmonary artery aneurysm with a fusiform shape. He was considered to be inoperable. Pulmonary hypertension is common with right heart enlargement, as in the present case. Posttraumatic aneurysms have also been reported. Differential diagnosis must distinguish between these two conditions. If 2D echo and CT have failed to distinguish the condition then right heart catheterization and pulmonary angiography are the methods of choice.     

The levels of copper, zinc and magnesium in type II diabetic patients complicated with foot infections

Changes in levels of trace elements and magnesium (Mg) may contribute to progression of diabetes mellitus (DM) and development of the complications. The aim of this study was to measure the levels of Copper (Cu), Zinc ( Zn), Mg and Cu/Zn ratios in diabetic foot infected patients (DFI) compared to controlled diabetic patients and healthy controls. 50 patients complicated with DFI, 50 controlled diabetic patients without any complications and 100 age and sex matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, Cu, Zn and Mg were measured. One-Way ANOVA test was used to compare three different groups. Correlations between different variables were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients(r). The mean values of Cu and Zn were higher in patients with DFI and DM compared to controls (P?<?0.001). Cu/Zn ratios were higher in DM compared to DFI and control groups (P?<?0.001). Serum Mg levels were lower in all diabetic patients. Elevation of Cu in DFI and DM groups was positively correlated with Cu/Zn ratios and elevation of Zn is negatively correlated. Our findings indicate an association between increased Zn concentrations and DFI.     

Atrial myocardial deformation properties are temporarily reduced after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and correlate well with left atrial appendage function.

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate whether left atrial strain and strain rate correlate well with transesophageal parameters of stunning after atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with chronic atrial fibrillation >/=3 months and <1 year were enrolled in the study. Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography with color Doppler myocardial imaging were performed before, 1 day after and 10 days after successful cardioversion. Left atrial transthoracic strain (S) and strain rate (SR) from lateral, inferior and anterior atrial walls, left atrial appendage tissue velocities, strain and strain rate values were measured with offline analysis. Left atrial appendage emptying (LAAEV) and filling (LAAFV) velocities were obtained from transesophageal echocardiography. Left atrial transthoracic, and left atrial appendage strain and strain rates were significantly lower following 1 day after cardioversion (TTE S/SR, 5.0 +/- 2.8%/2.3 +/- 1.0; TEE (septal) S/SR, 7.6 +/- 3.6%/1.6 +/- 0.7). There was a good correlation between these parameters and LAAEV (LA systolic strain and LAAEV, r = 0.73, P = 0.007). Left atrial and LAA strain and strain rate values improved over time, and correlated well with LAAEV, measured 10 days after cardioversion. CONCLUSIONS: Transthoracic atrial and TEE LAA strain and strain rate, which are quantitative measures of atrial function, are reduced after cardioversion, and recover subsequently. The good correlation between LAA function and TTE strain and strain rate suggests that TTE atrial parameters may help determine duration of anticoagulation.     

Ultrastructural effects of tamoxifen on uterus in rats

Tamoxifen is a triphenylethylene derivative commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer The Wistar rats (9 weeks old, 180-200 g body weight) used in these trials were divided into two groups of 20 animals each (control and experimental group). Animals of the experimental group were given drinking water containing 200 μg/kg tamoxifen citrate for a period of 30 day. At the end of exposure, body and uterus weights were measured. There was no statistical difference in the uterus weights between the control and treated groups (p < 0,05). Squamous metaplasia, characterized by the presence of stratified squamous epithelium on the lumenal surface of the uterus and the lining of the luminal surface of uterine glands was seen in some animals that had received tamoxifen. Ultrastructural changes were revealed in the form of vacularization of cell cytoplasm and The cytoplasm contained areas of low electron density. Not only was the cytoplasm full with intense crystalized and degeneration in mitochondria.     

Psychiatric analysis of suicide attempt subjects due to maxillofacial gunshot

The studies of maxillofacial gunshot injuries mainly focused on evaluating the surgical interventions and physical outcomes of the procedures. In this study we aimed to analyze the pre- and post-injury psychiatric status of the patients with self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the face. This study is based on 12 subjects who attempted suicide resulting in extensive maxillofacial injuries using guns placed beneath their chins. The psychiatric evaluation was conducted by interview and using SCID-I, SCID-II, MMPI, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Suicide Probability Scale. Two subjects were healthy, 1 had bereavement, 6 had current and 5 had previous MDD (major depressive disorder), 2 had dysthymic disorder, 3 had alcohol abuse, 2 had drug abuse and 4 had antisocial personality disorder. The suicidal group was more socially introverted according to MMPI. According to Rosenberg self-esteem subscale, self esteem, the constancy of self respect and depressive mood subtests were statistically significant in the suicide group compared to the healthy controls (P < 0.01). Depressive spectrum disorders are the most common causes. It is obvious that untreated or undiagnosed depression may increase risk of committing suicide. The changes in the physical facial appearance after the suicide attempt caused impairment of self-esteem and the constancy of self-respect. Similar to other studies, none of our patients reattempted suicide and all tried to return to their pre-injury lifestyle and appeared to accommodate to the stigma of their physical deformities. Early diagnosis and treatment should be considered as a factor to reduce the risk for suicide attempt.