Impact of Anti-Aggregant,Anti-Coagulant and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Hospital Outcomes in Patients with Peptic Ulcer Bleeding

Background/Aims:

There are a limited number of studies including the impact of antiplatelet drugs use on hospital outcomes for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anti-aggregant, anti-coagulant and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs upon hospital outcomes in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.

Materials and Methods:

The patients under treatment with antiaggregant, anticoagulant or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were categorized as exposed group (n = 118) and the patients who were not taking any of these drugs were categorized as non-exposed group (n = 81). We analyzed the data of drug intake, comorbid disease, blood transfusion, duration of hospital stay, Blatchford/total Rockall score and diagnosis of patients.

Results:

In total, 199 patients were included. Of these 59.3% (exposed group) were taking drugs. The patients in exposed group were significantly older than those in non-exposed group (62.9 ± 17.3 years; 55.5 ± 19.3 years, P = 0.005, respectively). Mean number of red blood cell units transfused (2.21 ± 1.51; 2.05 ± 1.87, P = 0.5), duration of hospital stay (3.46 ± 2.80 days; 3.20 ± 2.30 days, P = 0.532) and gastric ulcer rate (33% vs 23.4%, P = 0.172) were higher in exposed group than in non-exposed group but the differences were not statistically significant. Total Rockall and Blatchford scores of the patients were significantly higher in exposed group than in non-exposed group (3.46 ± 1.72 vs 2.94 ± 1.87, P = 0.045; 10.29 ± 3.15 vs 9.31 ± 3.40, P = 0.038).

Conclusıon:

Our study has shown that anticoagulants, antiaggregants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not effect duration of hospital stay, red blood cell transfusion requirement and rebleeding for peptic ulcer bleeding.     

A Case Report of Priapism Caused by Ziprasidon

Priapism is defined as having prolonged (more than 6 h), and usually painful penile erection that occurs without a sexual desire or arousal. Only a very few priapism cases caused by ziprasidone are reported in the literature. In this case report we aimed to present a prolonged penile erection due to use of ziprasidone.     

Effects of different surface treatments on shear bond strength in two different ceramic systems

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of different surface treatments (sandblasting, acid etching, and laser irradiation) on the shear bond strength of lithium disilicate-based core (IPS Empress 2) and feldspathic ceramics (VITA VM 9). One hundred ceramic discs were divided into two groups of 50 discs each for two ceramic systems: IPS Empress 2 (group I) and VITA VM 9 (group II). Each of the two groups was further divided into five surface treatment groups (ten each) as follows: group SB, sandblasting with alumina particles (50 μm); group HF, 5 % hydrofluoric acid etching; group L, Er:YAG laser irradiation (distance, 1 mm; 500 mJ; 20 Hz; 10 W; manually, noncontact R14 handpiece); group SB–L, sandblasting + Er:YAG laser; and group HF–L, 5 % hydrofluoric acid + Er:YAG laser. Luting cement (Panavia 2.0) was bonded to the ceramic specimens using Teflon tubes. After 24 h of water storage, a shear bond strength test was performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The data were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference tests (α?=?0.05). The two-way ANOVA indicated that the shear bond strength was significantly affected by the surface treatment methods (p?<?0.05), but there was no significant interaction between the ceramic systems. Group SB–L had the highest mean values for each ceramic system. Sandblasting, followed by Er:YAG laser irradiation, enhanced the bond strength, indicating its potential use as an alternative method. The atomic force microscopic evaluation revealed that group SB had the most distinct sharp peaks among the groups.     

Increased P-wave dispersion a risk for atrial fibrillation in adolescents with anorexia nervosa

ABSTRACT

Studies have shown that a prolonged P-wave dispersion is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to evaluate P-wave dispersion in adolescents with anorexia nervosa at diagnosis. We evaluated electrocardiographic findings, particularly the P-wave dispersion, at initial assessment in 47 adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Comparison of P-wave dispersion between adolescents with anorexia nervosa and controls showed a statistically significant higher P-wave dispersion in patients with anorexia nervosa (72 ± 16.3 msec) when compared to the control group (43.8 ± 9.5 msec). Percent of body weight lost, lower body mass index, and higher weight loss rate in the patients with anorexia nervosa had no effect on P-wave dispersion. Due to the fact that anorexia nervosa has a high mortality rate we believe that cardiac pathologies such as atrial fibrillation must also be considered in the medical evaluation.     

The Effects of Anti-Adhesion Materials in Preventing Postoperative Adhesion in Abdominal Cavity (Anti-Adhesion Materials for Postoperative Adhesions)

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of anti-adhesion materials in postoperative adhesions. Materials and Methods Rats were assigned to five groups: Group 1: Control. Group 2: chitin layers were used. Group 3: Na-hyaluronate / carboxymethylcellulose layers were used. Group 4: Na-hyaluronate gel was poured into the abdomen. Group 5: methylprednisolone was injected. The adhesion frequency and grade were scored according to Granat. Blood was taken for Hb, AST, BUN and albumin levels determination. Findings The adhesion frequencies (right and left) and grades were as follow in Groups; I: 82%, 91%, 2.63 ± 1.22; II: 8.3%, 25%, 0.58 ± 0.66; III: 17%, 33%, 1.08 ± 1.08; IV: 50%, 58%, 1.41 ± 1.44; V: 50%, 42%, 1.41 ± 1.50. The adhesion phase in all study groups was found significantly low compared to control group, p < 0.05. No difference was observed among serologic and hematological parameters in all groups. Conclusion All the materials used significantly lowered the adhesion frequency and grade.     

The relationship between occupations and head and neck cancers

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupation and head and neck cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 206 Turkish patients with head and neck cancers comprised the case group. The control group consisted of 206 age- and sex-matched patients without malignant disease. All patients completed a questionnaire regarding occupation; tobacco and alcohol consumption; educational status; and history of any systemic disease, benign head and neck disease, and cancer among family members. High-risk jobs were considered those in the industries of construction, wood, mining, metal, chemistry and agriculture. RESULTS: Patients with head and neck cancers worked in high-risk occupations more frequently than did controls [odds ratio (OR): 3.42, p<0.05]. Cancer risk decreased with the increase in time interval between quitting the high-risk job and time of interview. Smokers were at higher risk than nonsmokers (OR: 3.33, p<0.05). The risk was also higher in patients who drank alcohol regularly (OR: 1.59, p<0.05). However, occupation was found to be an independent high-risk factor for head and neck cancers in regression analysis. Frequency of benign head and neck disease and family history of cancer were not significant risk factors (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that occupation and smoking were significant independent risk factors for the development of head and neck cancers among workers.     

Are Fibrinogen and Complete Blood Count Parameters Predictive in Incarcerated Abdominal Hernia Repair?

Therapeutic delays in cases of external incarcerated hernias typically result in increasing morbidity, mortality, and health expenditures. We investigated the diagnostic role of blood fibrinogen level, white blood count (WBC), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) in patients with incarcerated hernia. Two groups, each containing 100 patients, were studied. Group A underwent elective, and group B underwent incarcerated and urgent external hernia repair. We observed high fibrinogen and WBC levels but low MPV and PDW values for patients in group B. Contrary to our expectations, we found lower MPV and PDW values in the complicated group than in the elective group. The morbidity rate and cost burden were higher in group B, and the results were statistically significant. Early operation should be recommended for patients with incarcerated external hernias if their fibrinogen and WBC levels are high.Key words: Incarcerated external hernia, Fibrinogen, Complete blood countExternal strangulated hernia is one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction especially in the elderly. Delay in treatment may be dangerous.¹ Andrews found that the need of bowel resection rate was 27% and the mortality rate was 21% when diagnosis was delayed more than 48 hours; whereas these rates were 7% and 1.4% when diagnosis was obtained in the first 24 hours.² In addition to increased morbidity and mortality rates, a delay in the treatment of strangulated external hernias is associated with extended hospital stays and an increased need for intensive care, thereby resulting in increased health costs. Of course, clinical signs and symptoms are the most important evidences in diagnosis of incarcerated hernias. In order to make correct diagnosis, we also have powerful weapons such as radiologic imaging methods. However, these clinical and radiologic evidences show complications, especially intestinal perforation due to incarceration. Awareness of probable complications is essential. In this regard, we sometimes need simple methods to alert us. The white blood count (WBC), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and blood fibrinogen level have been shown to be valuable predictive parameters for ischemic events in different parts of the body.^3–9 There are probable ischemic tissues and organs in incarcerated hernia sac. So, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of these simple blood tests in diagnosis. Generally, there is no problem in diagnosis, but sometimes the delay in treatment results in additional morbidity such as a need for bowel resection.     

Ventricular structure,function, and focal fibrosis in anabolic steroid users: a CMR study

Purpose

Anabolic steroid (AS) misuse is widespread amongst recreational bodybuilders; however, their effects on the cardiovascular system are uncertain. Our aim was to document the impact of AS use on cardiac structure, function and the presence of focal fibrosis using the gold standard cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).

Methods

A cross-sectional cohort design was utilised with 21 strength-trained participants who underwent CMR imaging of the heart and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Thirteen participants (30 ± 5 years) taking AS for at least 2 years and currently on a “using”-cycle were compared with age and training-matched controls (n = 8; 29 ± 6 years) who self-reported never having taken AS (NAS).

Results

AS users had higher absolute left ventricular (LV) mass (220 ± 45 g) compared to NAS (163 ± 27 g; p < 0.05) but this difference was removed when indexed to fat-free mass. AS had a reduced right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (AS 51 ± 4 % vs. NAS 59 ± 5 %; p < 0.05) and a significantly lower left ventricular E’:A’ myocardial tissue velocity ratio [AS 0.99(0.54) vs. NAS 1.78(0.46) p < 0.05] predominantly due to greater tissue velocities with atrial contraction. Peak LV longitudinal strain was lower in AS users (AS ?14.2 ± 2.7 % vs. NAS ?16.6 ± 1.9 %; p < 0.05). There was no evidence of focal fibrosis in any participant.

Conclusions

AS use was associated with significant LV hypertrophy, albeit in-line with greater fat-free mass, reduced LV strain, diastolic function, and reduced RV ejection fraction in male bodybuilders. There was, however, no evidence of focal fibrosis in any AS user.     

Sex classification using long‐range temporal dependence of resting‐state functional MRI time series

A thorough understanding of sex differences that exist in the brains of healthy individuals is crucial for the study of neurological illnesses that exhibit phenotypic differences between males and females. Here we evaluate sex differences in regional temporal dependence of resting‐state brain activity in 195 adult male–female pairs strictly matched for total grey matter volume from the Human Connectome Project. We find that males have more persistent temporal dependence in regions within temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices. Machine learning algorithms trained on regional temporal dependence measures achieve sex classification accuracies up to 81%. Regions with the strongest feature importance in the sex classification task included cerebellum, amygdala, and frontal and occipital cortices. Secondarily, we show that even after strict matching of total gray matter volume, significant volumetric sex differences persist; males have larger absolute cerebella, hippocampi, parahippocampi, thalami, caudates, and amygdalae while females have larger absolute cingulates, precunei, and frontal and parietal cortices. Sex classification based on regional volume achieves accuracies up to 85%, highlighting the importance of strict volume‐matching when studying brain‐based sex differences. Differential patterns in regional temporal dependence between the sexes identifies a potential neurobiological substrate or environmental effect underlying sex differences in functional brain activation patterns.