The Relationship Between Sexual Quality of Life, Happiness, and Satisfaction with Life in Married Turkish Women

The quality of sexual life is based on a physical, relational, and emotional assessment of an individual. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between sexual quality of life, happiness, and satisfaction with life. The research comprised of 204 women, aged between 18 and 63. The average age of participants was 31.98. In this study, the sexual quality of life questionnaire-female, Oxford happiness questionnaire-short form, and satisfaction with life scale were used as data collection tools. The findings indicated that the sexual quality of life in women has a positive relationship with happiness and satisfaction with life. Therefore, sexual quality of life is a significant predictor of happiness and satisfaction with life. It also explains 19 % of the variance concerning happiness and 25 % of the variance regarding satisfaction with life. As a result, the findings obtained from the present study show that the sexual quality of life in women is important in relation to happiness and satisfaction with life.     

Effects of selective Cox-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, alone or combination with furosemide on renal functions and renal Cox-2 expression in rats

Background  

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs act by inhibiting the rate-limiting enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 (Cox-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), which are important in prostanoid formation. The aim of this experimental study was to examine the effects of selective Cox-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, with or without furosemide, on urine and serum electrolytes, creatinine clearance, plasma renin activity (PRA), and Cox-2 expression in the renal cortex.     

Sulcus vocalis in monozygotic twins

Sulcus vocalis is the presence of a groove extending along the vibratory surface of a vocal fold and may result in dysphonia. Depending on the level of severity, this condition may require treatment involving complicated surgical techniques. Cases of sulcus vocalis are classified as physiological, vergeture, or pouch type. A clear explanation of the etiology has not been established, and the currently proposed congenital origin, as described in the literature, remains controversial. This paper presents findings from monozygotic twin sisters with bilateral sulcus vocalis; these patients had similar morphologies, vibratory characteristics, and vocal quality measurements, which support the theory of a congenital etiology.     

Demonstration of false inclusion risks of duo parentage analyses in the Turkish population in light of parentage acceptance criteria

In routine parentage tests, trio analyses (father-mother-child) are preferred. Under certain circumstances, laboratories may have to perform duo analysis (without mother/father). However, duo analyses increase the risk of false inclusions. This paper aimed to evaluate the false inclusion risks of duo analyses in the Turkish population from the point of forensic applications and the Turkish judicial system. Children from 400 previously analysed cases were compared separately with fathers and mothers of other cases by using a computer programme. From the total 345,006 comparisons, in 16 comparisons, no Short Tandem Repeat (STR) mismatch was observed at 15 STR loci between the child and an unrelated parent. In other words, duo tests provided a coincidental second mother or father to 16 children. In almost all of these cases, the probabilities of paternity estimation values are greater than Turkish Judicial System’s parentage acceptance limit, which is 99.73%. According to results, we suggested that trio cases should be performed as much as possible and the parentage acceptance limit, which is 99.73%, should be re-evaluated by a law maker’s commission to prevent false inclusion parentage cases in Turkey.     

Characterization of the hypothermic component of LPS-induced dual thermoregulatory response in rats

We have previously shown that Escherichia coli O111:B4 serotype lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced a dual change in rectal temperature (Tb), in which hypothermia preceded fever at subthermoneutral ambient temperature (Tamb; 24-26 degrees C) in rats. In this study, the characteristics of the initial hypothermic response were evaluated. Hypothermia was significant when LPS (50 microg/kg, i.p.) was injected at thermoneutral Tamb (30 degrees C). There was no heat loss through tail skin during hypothermia. The open field activity of the rats did not change during this period. However, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) elevated at the beginning of the hypothermia, whereas serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta and interferon (IFN)-gamma remained unchanged. A nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin, 5 mg/kg, s.c.) inhibited hypothermia and serum TNF-alpha elevation, which resulted in an acceleration of the subsequent pyrogenic response. Moreover, a nonselective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 10 mg/kg, s.c.) not only abolished fever but also prolonged the initial hypothermic response. These data suggest that the hypothermic component of low dose LPS-induced dual response is a regulated decrease in Tb. The data also suggest that hypothermia and fever may occur independently as two different thermoregulatory strategies against immune challenge in rats.     

Origin of left main and right coronary arteries from right aortic sinus of Valsalva

Coronary anomalies may be a part of complex congenital malformations of the heart or be an isolated defect. Anomalous coronary arteries are associated with a higher incidence of congenital heart diseases, but do not appear to be associated with an increased risk for development of coronary atherosclerosis. Coronary anomalies are recognized readily on angiography. Unexpected findings during invasive procedures would suggest a possibly existing coronary anomaly, especially when main branches cannot be opacified by selective contrast medium injection. This case report illustrates the clinical and angiographic findings of a patient undergoing coronary angiography for evaluation of ischemic heart disease with an unexpected presence of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus.     

The effects of subinguinal varicocelectomy on Kruger morphology and semen parameters

Purpose

We studied the effect of varicocele ligation on Kruger strict morphology criteria and semen parameters in patients with infertility.

Materials and Methods

A total of 90 patients diagnosed with varicoceles and a normal morphological sperm ratio of less than 14% were evaluated before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. Preoperatively and postoperatively sperm density, motility and morphology using Kruger strict criteria were analyzed. The Wilcoxon test was used to measure levels of statistical significance in all analyses.

Results

Significant improvement in sperm concentration and motility was evident after varicocele ligation (p <0.0002 and <0.0001, respectively). Using the Kruger classification sperm morphology evaluation revealed a significant increase in the percent of normal forms, and of forms with head and acrosome defects (p <0.0001, <0.0014 and <0.0028, respectively). There were no concomitant changes in strict morphology in forms with mid piece and tail defects or immature forms (p >0.05). Of the 90 patients 18 (20%) achieved a successful full-term pregnancy, including 14 via natural cycle intercourse and 4 by intrauterine insemination.

Conclusions

Surgical correction of varicocele was associated with significant improvement in density, motility and sperm morphology evaluated using the Kruger classification.     

Heart-rate-adapted image reconstruction in multidetector-row cardiac CT: influence of physiological and technical prerequisite on image quality

The purpose of this study was to develop strategies for optimal image reconstruction in multidetector-row cardiac CT and to discuss the results in the context of individual heart rate, cardiac physiology, and technical prerequisite. Sixty-four patients underwent multidetector-row cardiac CT. Depending on the heart rate either a single-segmental reconstruction (SSR) or an adaptive two-segmental reconstruction (ASR) was applied. Image reconstruction was done either antegrade (a) or retrograde (r) in relation to the R-peak. Reconstruction of all data sets was performed at multiple time points within the t-wave/p-wave interval, differing from each other by 50 ms. In addition, each reconstruction was assigned to one of six reconstruction intervals (A–F), each corresponding to a specific event in the cardiac cycle. While no significant time points were found for absolute values, the following interval/reconstruction technique combinations provided significant better image quality: F/r at HR <60 bpm for all coronary segments (p≤0.004) and at HR 60–65 bpm for segments 5–10 (p≤0.001); B/a at HR 60–65 bpm for segments 1–4 and 11–15 (p<0.001) and at HR >65 bpm for all segments (p≤0.002). The results show that in order to achieve optimal image quality, image reconstruction has to be adjusted to each patient's ECG curve and heart rate individually. The moment of reconstruction should be determined as absolute rather than as relative distance from the previous R-peak. Electronic Publication     

The micro-mitral operation comparing the Port-Access technique and the transthoracic clamp technique

BACKGROUND: Several minimally invasive approaches to the mitral valve have been described, including parasternal incision and right anterolateral thoracotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since September 1996, 58 patients underwent minimally invasive mitral valve surgery at our institution through a right anterolateral minithoractomy. Two different techniques were used for institution of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic clamping: in the Port-Access group (group A) patients had femoro-femoral cannulation with a special arterial cannula to introduce an endoaortic balloon clamp (n = 23). The second group (group B) of patients underwent femoro-femoral CPB as well in combination with a specially designed transthoracic aortic clamp (Chitwood technique, n = 35). Patients were assigned to either technique in a nonrandomized fashion. Demographics were similar in both groups. RESULTS: In group A, 4 valves were replaced, 19 patients had mitral valve repair. In group B, 7 patients had valve replacement and 28 patients underwent mitral repair. Four patients in group A were converted to Chitwood technique due to endoclamp dysfunction. Operating time, CPB time, cross-clamp time, and postoperative blood loss were lower in group B (operating time 295 +/- 83 min vs. 236 +/- 63.9 min; CPB min 167.6 = 64.9 min vs. 137.6 +/- 38.2 min; cross-clamp time 105.9 +/- 51.7 min vs. 78.9 +/- 25.2 min; postoperative blood loss 584 +/- 428 mL vs. 323 +/- 209 mL [p < 0.05]). Clinical outcome regarding postoperative mechanical ventilatilation time, hospital stay and hospital mortality was not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive mitral valve procedures via right anterolateral minithoracotomy, including complex valve repair, can be performed successfully using either technique. However, the Chitwood technique provides better intraoperative handling with shorter operation time and less postoperative blood loss. Additionally, costs of a procedure are less using the Chitwood technique compared to the Port-Access technique.