Serum neuron-specific enolase and S-100ß levels as prognostic follow-up markers for oxygen administered carbon monoxide intoxication cases.

Serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100ß levels are considered novel biochemical markers of neuronal cell injury. In this study, the initial and post-treatment levels of NSE and S-100ß were compared in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning patients, who received normorbaric oxygen (NBO) or hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Forty consecutive patients with acute CO poisoning were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. According to their clinical symptoms and observations, twenty patients were treated with NBO, and the other twenty with HBO. Serum S-100ß and NSE levels were measured both at time of admission and 6 h later (post-treatment). Serum NSE and S-100ß values decreased significantly in both of the therapeutic modalities. The initial and post-treatment values of NSE and S-100ß in NBO or HBO patients were comparable. A clear negative correlation was observed between the decrease of NSE and S-100ß levels and initial blood carboxyhemoglobin levels. In conclusion, the present results suggested the use of serum S-100ß and NSE levels as indicators for brain injury. Due to the significant increase of their values with oxygen therapy, they may also be useful as prognostic follow-up markers. However, the current findings reflected no difference between the efficacy of NBO or HBO therapy.

Comparison of two main treatment modalities for acute ankle sprain.

OBJECTIVE: Acute ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in emergency departments. Immobilization is widely accepted as the basic treatment modality for acute ankle sprains; however, immobilization method remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to compare two treatment modalities: splint and elastic bandage for the management of acute ankle sprains. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the emergency department. Fifty-one consecutive patients who were admitted to the emergency department owing to the complaint of ankle sprain and who were treated with an elastic bandage or a splint were included in the study. After bone injury was ruled out, treatment choice was left to the on-shift physicians' discretion. The extent of edema was evaluated before and after the treatment by using a small, graduated container filled with warm water. Volume differences were calculated by immersing both lower extremities in a container filled to a constant level. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale. RESULTS: There were 25 patients in the elastic bandage group and 26 patients in the splint group. VAS scores of these groups before and after the treatment were similar. Although edema size before and after the treatment were similar between the groups, edema size reduction was significantly more in the elastic bandage group [p=0,025]. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that treatment of acute ankle sprains with an elastic bandage was more effective than splint in reducing edema. Therefore, an elastic bandage could be preferred over a splint for the treatment of acute ankle sprains.

A comparison of suprascapular nerve block and procedural sedation analgesia in shoulder dislocation reduction.

OBJECTIVES: Dislocation of the shoulder joint is one of the most common dislocations. The reduction procedure is a painful procedure. In this study, 2 different treatment groups were compared for pain control during shoulder dislocation reduction. It was aimed to evaluate the differences between the groups in reduction, success, length of hospital stay, complications, side effects, patient-physician satisfaction, and ease of application. METHODS: The study was planned to be prospective and randomized. As procedural sedation analgesia (SA), titration of ketamine 1 to 2 mg/kg was administered intravenously to group 1. Suprascapular nerve block (SNB) was applied under ultrasound guidance (USG) to group 2. Conformity to normal distribution of variables was examined with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The χ2 test and Fisher test were used to evaluate differences between the groups in categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U test, and a value of P<.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The study comprised a total of 41 patients; 20 in the group 1 and 21 in the group 2. No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of age (P=.916), sex (P=.972), reduction success (P=.540), and patient-physician satisfaction (P=.198). The time spent in the emergency department (ED) by patients in the SA group was signficantly longer compared with the SNB group. No side effects were observed in the SNB group. CONCLUSIONS: Suprascapular nerve block, which can be easily applied under USG in the ED, can be evaluated as a good alternative to SA in the reduction of shoulder dislocations.

[The relationship between Injury Severity Scores and transfusion requirements of 108 consecutive cases injured with high kinetic energy weapons: a tertiary center end-mode mortality analysis]. / Yüksek kinetik enerjili silahlarla yaralanmis ardisik 108 olguya ait ISS degerleri ile transfüzyon gereksinimleri arasindaki iliski ve ileri merkez son mod mortalite analizi.

BACKGROUND: We aimed in this study to investigate the relationship between Injury Severity Score (ISS) and transfusion strategies required during medical intervention in patients wounded by high kinetic energy (HKE) gunshot, and to analyze end-mode mortality. METHODS: The medical data of patients were included in the study. We evaluated whether there was any significant correlation in terms of demographic characteristics, HKE weapon type, ISSs, and transfusion strategy options and transfusion requirements. RESULTS: Causes of mortality in cases resulting in mortality during hospitalization were evaluated. One hundred and eight consecutive patients were included in the study. All patients except one were male, with an average age of 25 years. 64.8% of them were injured by long-barreled firearms, whereas 35.2% were injured by explosives. Average ISS was 13.9. ISS values for the patients with and without transfusion were 16 (5-48) and 9 (3-36), respectively. Causes of mortality were evaluated in terms of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). DISCUSSION: It was determined that there was a significant correlation between increase in ISS values in cases with HKE weapon wounds and their transfusion requirements, whereas this requirement was independent of the ISS value in cases with explosive wounds.

Evaluation and comparison of the effects of hyperbaric oxygen and ozonized oxygen as adjuvant treatments in an experimental osteomyelitis model.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated and compared the efficacy of ozone (O(3)) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapies in an experimental rat model of osteomyelitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham, osteomyelitis (control), vancomycin (V), vancomycin + HBO (VHB), vancomycin + O(3) (VO), and vancomycin + HBO + O(3) (VOHB) groups. Osteomyelitis was induced by a bone injection of 10(8) CFU/mL methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. HBO was administered daily at 2.8-atm pressure for 90 min; O(3) therapy was provided as intraperitoneal injections of 0.7 mg/kg O(3)/O(2) gas mixture once daily. Treatments were continued from d 7 to 21 after induction of osteomyelitis. Bone tissues and blood samples were harvested for biochemical, histopathologic, and microbiologic analyses. RESULTS: Rats in the sham, VO, and VOHB groups gained weight but those in the control, V, and VHB groups did not. Levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were lower in the VHB, VO, and VOHB groups than in V and control groups. Levels of interleukin-10 and -1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α were decreased in the VHB, VO, and VOHB groups; transforming growth factor-ß was increased in these groups compared with V and control groups (P ≤ 0.001). Bacteria counts in VOHB were significantly lower than those in group of V (P = 0.012). Histopathologic scores in group VO were significantly lower than those in group V (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: O(3) was as effective as HBO in decreasing oxidative parameters and inflammatory cytokines. Rats in the VO and VOHB groups gained more weight than did the other groups. Bacteria counts were significantly decreased in group VOHB compared with the other groups. Histopathologic scores in group VO were significantly decreased compared with the other groups.

Ozone therapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatment in lung injury in septic rats.

Various therapeutic protocols were used for the management of sepsis including hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. It has been shown that ozone therapy (OT) reduced inflammation in several entities and exhibits some similarity with HBO in regard to mechanisms of action. We designed a study to evaluate the efficacy of OT in an experimental rat model of sepsis to compare with HBO. Male Wistar rats were divided into sham, sepsis+cefepime, sepsis+cefepime+HBO, and sepsis+cefepime+OT groups. Sepsis was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli; HBO was administered twice daily; OT was set as intraperitoneal injections once a day. The treatments were continued for 5 days after the induction of sepsis. At the end of experiment, the lung tissues and blood samples were harvested for biochemical and histological analysis. Myeloperoxidase activities and oxidative stress parameters, and serum proinflammatory cytokine levels, IL-1ß and TNF-α, were found to be ameliorated by the adjuvant use of HBO and OT in the lung tissue when compared with the antibiotherapy only group. Histologic evaluation of the lung tissue samples confirmed the biochemical outcome. Our data presented that both HBO and OT reduced inflammation and injury in the septic rats' lungs; a greater benefit was obtained for OT. The current study demonstrated that the administration of OT as well as HBO as adjuvant therapy may support antibiotherapy in protecting the lung against septic injury. HBO and OT reduced tissue oxidative stress, regulated the systemic inflammatory response, and abated cellular infiltration to the lung demonstrated by findings of MPO activity and histopathologic examination. These findings indicated that OT tended to be more effective than HBO, in particular regarding serum IL-1ß, lung GSH-Px and histologic outcome.

The role of preconditioning and N-acetylcysteine on oxidative stress resulting from tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion in arthroscopic knee surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on oxidative stress resulting from tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion (IR) period in arthroscopic knee surgery. METHODS: Forty-five patients who had arthroscopic knee surgery for meniscal and chondral lesions and for pathologic medial plica were included in this study. They were assigned to the following treatment groups: control (group C; n=15), IPC (group P; n=15), and NAC (group N; n=15). Subjects in the control group underwent routine surgical procedures. Subjects in the preconditioning group were subjected to temporary ischemia, with tourniquet performed by three compression cycles of 5 minutes followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion just before the application of tourniquet inflation. Subjects in the NAC group received 10 mg/kg NAC dissolved in 100 mL 0.9% normal saline intravenously 30 minutes before tourniquet inflation. An hour before the tourniquet was applied (preischemia) and 2 hours after tourniquet was removed (reperfusion), blood samples (to test for metabolites) were obtained. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured in all serum samples. Results were compared between preischemia and reperfusion in three groups. RESULTS: MDA in the control group was found to be increased significantly compared with preischemia, whereas MDA in IPC and NAC groups did not change insignificantly. SOD and GSH activities in the control group were found to be increased significantly, whereas SOD and GSH activities in IPC and NAC groups did not change significantly after reperfusion. TAC in the control group was found to be decreased and TOS was found to be increased significantly, but TAC and TOS in IPC and NAC groups were not significantly different after reperfusion. Mean serum MDA, TOS, SOD, and GSH-Px levels were lower in group P than group C at reperfusion period (p<0.05). Mean serum SOD levels were lower in group P than group N at reperfusion period (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tourniquet-induced IR period in routine arthroscopic knee surgery resulted in oxidative stress by increasing MDA, SOD, GSH-Px, TOS and decreasing TAC. NAC and IPC had protective effect on occurrence of oxidative stress resulting from IR period by preventing MDA, SOD, GSH-Px, TAC, and TOS changes in routine arthroscopic knee surgery.

Effect of preconditioned hyperbaric oxygen and ozone on ischemia-reperfusion induced tourniquet in skeletal bone of rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate effect of I/R injury on bone tissue and protective role of hyperbaric oxygen precondition (HBO-PC) and ozone precondition (O(3)-PC) on I/R injury by using biochemical analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats were included in study. The animals were divided into four equal groups: sham operation, I/R, I/R+HBO and I/R+O(3). One session of 60 min, 3 ATA, 3-4 L/min, 100% oxygenation was defined as one dose of HBO. First dose of HBO was administrated 72 h before ischemia. Subsequent, one-dose of HBO administrated per 12 hours until ischemia time (total seven doses); 0.7 mg/kg ozone/oxygen mixture intraperitoneally was defined as one dose of ozone. First dose of O(3) was administered 72 h before ischemia (total four doses). I/R model was induced in anesthetized rats by unilateral (right) femoral artery clipping for 2 h followed by 22 h of reperfusion. The right tibia and were harvested. Tissue was assayed for levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). RESULTS: MDA and PCO levels were increased in I/R group. SOD activity was increased; GSH-Px activity was decreased in I/R group. MDA and PCO levels were decreased, SOD and GSH-Px activities were increased in both HBO+I/R and O(3)+I/R groups. CONCLUSION: It has been shown that levels of MDA and PCO in bone were increased followed by 2 h of ischemia and 22 h of reperfusion period. Ozone-PC and HBO-PC has protective effect against skeletal bone I/R injury by decreasing levels of MDA and PCO, increasing activities of SOD and GSH-Px in rats.

[Analysis of preventable deaths according to postmortem reports in traumatic deaths]. / Travmatik ölümlerde postmortem raporlara göre önlenebilir ölüm nedenlerinin arastirilmasi.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate preventable deaths due to trauma among cases in whom autopsy and postmortem examinations were performed in Diyarbakir Council of Forensic Medicine. METHODS: In this study, which was planned as retrospectively descriptive, demographic data, type of injury, cause of injury, locations of injuries, cause of death, and scene of death data were withdrawn through the reports of deaths due to trauma in Diyarbakir Council of Forensic Medicine between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2008. Medical errors in these deaths and preventable deaths were analyzed with this data. The criteria of American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma was used for definition-classification of errors and compose of preventability criteria. RESULTS: It was concluded that of the 747 cases taken into consideration, 4.15% (n=31) were preventable, 16.20% (n=121) were potentially preventable and 79.65% (n=595) were unpreventable. Suboptimal care in 49.34% (n=75), delay in treatment in 41.45% (n=63), missed diagnosis in 10.53% (n=16), clinical judgment error in 10.53% (n=16), missed medical administration in 7.23% (n=11), and other mistakes in 3.95% (n=6) of the cases were determined. CONCLUSION: When the results were compared with the studies performed in the areas in which modern trauma care and trauma centers are located, the preventable death ratio was found high. As a result, it has been determined that development of a modern trauma system and trauma centers have significant roles in decreasing preventable death ratios.

Comparison of permissive hypotensive resuscitation, low-volume fluid resuscitation, and aggressive fluid resuscitation therapy approaches in an experimental uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock model.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of aggressive fluid resuscitation, low-volume fluid resuscitation and permissive hypotensive resuscitation in an experimental uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock model. METHODS: Forty-four male Guinea pigs were used in the study in an experimental uncontrolled shock model. Guinea pigs were split into six groups including normovolemic-normotensive fluid treatment group, normovolemic-permissive hypotensive fluid treatment group, low-volume normotensive fluid treatment group, low-volume permissive hypotensive fluid treatment group, no treatment (n=6), and sham-operated groups (n=6). Resuscitation was initiated when mean arterial pressure (MAP) reached 30 mmHg. In the permissive hypotensive resuscitation group, fluid treatment continued until MAP reached 45+/-5 mmHg and in the aggressive fluid groups until MAP reached 60+/-5 mmHg. Resuscitation fluid was hetastarch 6% (hydroxyethyl starch) in the low-volume fluid groups and Ringer's lactate in the normovolemic fluid groups. RESULTS: Mean survival time was 122.75+/-4.83 min in the normovolemic-normotensive fluid group, 130.87+/-16.31 min in the normovolemic-permissive hypotensive group, 122.12+/-11.53 min in the low-volume-normotensive fluid group, and 152.25+/-9.10 min in the low-volume-permissive hypotensive fluid group. Survival time was found significantly higher in the group in which low-volume-permissive hypotensive fluid treatment was applied than in the other groups. CONCLUSION: When pressure effect was compared during treatment, permissive-hypotensive resuscitation was found more effective in both groups that received colloid and crystalloid treatment.

[Role of anatomic and physiologic trauma scoring systems in forensic cases]. / Adli olgularda anatomik ve fizyolojik travma skorlama sistemlerinin rolü

BACKGROUND: The Turkish Penalty Law has recently been changed. The novel law asks the practitioner to report if there is any 'Situation Placing a Life in Danger '. Herein, we evaluate the anatomic (ISS, TRISS) and physiologic (RTS) trauma scores assessing mortality. METHODS: Study data were obtained from a retrospective chart screening of cases who were accepted to the emergency department in GATA Faculty of Medicine in 2007 and from archived forensic reports. Demographic features and the time period of admittance were recorded. Trauma scores were calculated. All parameters were evaluated with the reported condition of "life threat" and mortality. RESULTS: Forensic reports were completed for 373 patients and 6.16% of them were noted as being in a life-threatening condition. Mortality rate was 1.34%. A significant rate of trauma patients suffered from firearm injury and stab wounds (p<0.001). There was no statistical difference between ISS, TRISS and RTS with respect to predictive value of a 'life-threatening condition' (Area under curve [AUC] in the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve analysis: ISS: 0.968, TRISS: 0.922, RTS: 0.196). There was also no statistical difference between ISS, TRISS and RTS scores regarding mortality prediction (AUC in the ROC analysis: ISS: 0.992, TRISS: 0.0995, RTS: 0.005). CONCLUSION: We assume that there is no difference between physiologic and anatomic scoring systems to predict mortality for deciding a life-threatening condition.

Is the zeolite hemostatic agent beneficial in reducing blood loss during arterial injury?

BACKGROUND: Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of fatality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zeolite mineral (QuikClot - Advanced Clotting Sponge [QC-ACS]) on blood loss and physiological variables in a swine extremity arterial injury model. METHODS: Sixteen swine were used. Oblique groin incision was created and a 5 mm incision was made. The animals were allocated to: control group (n: 6): Pressure dressing was applied with manual pressure over gauze sponge; or QC group (n: 10): QC was directly applied over lacerated femoral artery. Mean arterial pressure, blood loss and physiological parameters were measured during the study period. RESULTS: Application of QC led to a slower drop in blood pressure. The control group had a significantly higher increase in lactate within 60 minutes. The mean prothrombin time in the control group was significantly increased at 60 minutes. The application of QC led to decreased total blood loss. The QC group had significantly higher hematocrit levels. QC application generated a significant heat production. There were mild edematous and vacuolar changes in nerve samples. CONCLUSION: According to the physiological parameters, we observed that zeolite tends to reduce blood loss, however could not stop bleeding completely. We believe that further clinical trials are needed to conclude that zeolite could be used in the routine practice.

Comparison of warm fluid and cold fluid resuscitation during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock model in rats.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to compare the effects of resuscitation with cold and warm fluid on survival time, rate and volume of hemorrhage, hemodynamics, hypothermia, coagulopathy, acid-base balance, hematocrit, lactate, and base deficit during uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock (HS) model in rats. METHODS: HS model was created with splenic vascular and parenchymal injury in 29 rats under ketamine and xylazine anesthesia. Thirty minutes after the hemorrhage, the rats were randomized to receive 14.5 mL/kg 0.9% sodium chloride solution at either 24ºC (Group 1; n=9) or 4ºC (Group 2; n=10) for 20 minutes. Groups 1 and 2 were compared with group that did not receive fluid (Group 3; n=10). Statistical data were represented as mean±SD. SPSS for Windows, Version 15.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software, Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney U test and Kaplan-Meier procedure were used to perform statistical data analysis. P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Cold fluid resuscitation decreased survival time due to increased rate and volume of hemorrhage, acidosis, hypothermia, lactate, and base deficit and decreased blood pressure and hematocrit. CONCLUSION: There is a great need for further experimental and clinical trials on fluid resuscitation in trauma in order to define which fluid should be administered, temperature of the fluid, quantity to be delivered, and duration.

Intracolonic multiple pebbles in young adults: radiographic imaging and conventional approach to a case.

Most of the foreign bodies detected in adult gastrointestinal systems are accidentally swallowed pins. In this study, we presented a case with intracolonic multiple pebbles. A 20-year-old man was admitted to emergency surgery policlinic for abdominal pain for 2 d without any alleviation or aggravation. His upright plain abdominal radiographic imaging revealed about 30-40 overt dense opacities in lumen of colonic segments, with oval and well shaped contours, each approximately 1 cm multiply 1 cm in size. The multiplanar reconstructions and three-dimensional images combined with sectional screening showed that all pebbles had passed completely into the colon and no foreign bodies had remained in the ileal segments. On psychiatric assessment, he was found to have immature personality features, difficulty in overcoming stressors and adaptation disorder. He recovered by conservative management and radiographic monitoring applied during his follow-up. Thus, it can be concluded that, in differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in adult ages, though less frequently seen than in children, gastrointestinal system foreign bodies should always be kept in mind and it should be considered that ingestion of pebbles may be one of the factors contributing to abdominal pain particularly in young adults with psychiatric problems. In such cases suspected of having foreign bodies which cannot be detected by plain films, abdominal tomography can be an alternative for diagnostic imaging.

Evaluation of autopsy reports in terms of preventability of traumatic deaths.

BACKGROUND: The analysis of autopsy reports plays an important role in the evaluation of trauma care quality. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of preventable deaths and medical errors in regard to the autopsy reports as an indicator of trauma care quality in traumatic deaths. METHODS: A retrospective review of traumatic autopsy reports kept between 2011 and 2012 in Eskisehir, Turkey was conducted. Demographic data of the cases, injury type, injury mechanism, injury location, ISS values, and cause and place of death were recorded. Deaths were judged in three groups including preventable deaths, potentially preventable deaths and non-preventable deaths. In the definiton of preventability, the criteria of American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma were used. A commission composed of two forensic medicine specialists and one emergency medicine specialist reviewed preventability and defined medical errors. RESULTS: A total of five hundred and ninety-two autopsy reports were examined in the study period. Trauma was defined as the cause in 65.2% (n=386) of the cases. 81.9% (n=316) of the cases were observed to have suffered blunt injury and 18.1% (n=70) penetrating injury. Death occurred at the scene of trauma in 56.7% (n=219) of the cases, in the pre-hospital period in 11.7% (n=45), and in hospital in 31.6% (n=122). In preventability analysis, it was decided that 4.1% (n=16) of the cases had the properties of being preventable, 14.5% (n=56) potentially preventable and 81.3% (n=314) non-preventable. Suboptimal care was determined in 65.3% (n=47) of the total cases, delayed intervention in 58.3% (n=42), error in the medical method decision in 8.3% (n=6), delayed or wrong diagnosis in 1.4% (n=1), and inappropriate or incorrect medical application in 1.4% (n=1). CONCLUSION: High rates of preventable deaths in the pre-hospital period, in cases of penetrating injuries, and particularly in cases of chest trauma were evaluated as noteworthy findings. Integrated working of pre-hospital emergency healthcare services with trauma centres would enable the development of trauma care and reduce the rates of preventable deaths.

Psychiatric Symptoms and Quality of Life in Military Personnel Deployed Abroad.

BACKGROUND: Military personnel deployed abroad could be exposed to more risk factors that adversely affect quality of life. In this study, we examined psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in Turkish Armed Forces deployed to Afghanistan. METHOD: A total of 289 Turkish military personnel working in Afghanistan enrolled in this study. They completed two surveys containing questions about socio-demographic characteristics. Data were collected and analyzed from 258 of the participants. RESULTS: The general symptom scores (GSI) were above 1 in 20.8 Percent (n=54) of the participants. The lowest SF-36 scores by the sub-groups were mental health (59.14 ± 18.56) and vitality (59.25 ± 21.17). The highest score was in the physical function subscale (84.42 ± 19.53). All Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (SF-36)subscale scores were lower in the GSI above 1 group than the GSI below 1 group. In the GSI above 1 group: education level and depression affected SF-36 physical functioning; paranoid ideation and somatization affected SF-36 role limitations due to physical health; age and somatization affected SF-36 pain; age affected SF-36 general health; phobic anxiety affected SF-36 vitality; age, tenure of occupation, tenure abroad; and phobic anxiety affected SF-36 mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The negative effects of psychiatric symptoms on the quality of life were similar to those in the general population and in specific disease groups. These results should be considered when evaluating the mental health of military personnel deployed abroad.

Neopterin, homocysteine, and ADMA levels during and after urticaria attack.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Urticaria is a vascular skin reaction characterized with papules and plaques. Neopterin is accepted as an immunologic marker and an indicator of activation of the immune system. Homocysteine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are the markers of increased vascular resistance. Alteration in vascular resistance has a role in the pathogenesis of urticaria. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between urticaria and neopterin, homocysteine, or ADMA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is designed as a prospective descriptive study and patients with a diagnosis of urticaria in the emergency department were included in the study. Demographic data and characteristics of the disease were recorded. Neopterin, homocysteine, and ADMA levels were measured both during and after urticaria attacks. All data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The differences between neopterin levels measured during and after urticaria attacks were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The differences between homocysteine and ADMA levels measured during and after urticaria attacks were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that neopterin levels in patients with urticaria attacks are increased and the level of neopterin is also a useful parameter in acute urticaria. Further studies should clarify whether homocysteine levels contribute to diagnosis of acute urticaria. However, no relation was found between ADMA and urticaria.

Effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen and ozone applications in tissue healing in generated soft tissue trauma model in rats: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue trauma is a type of acute traumatic ischemia. We investigated in this study whether the edema, inflammation and ischemia caused by the trauma could be affected positively by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and ozone therapy. METHODS: Soft tissue trauma was generated in a total of 63 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Subsequently, rats were divided into three groups. The first group was treated with ozone, the second group with HBO, and the third group served as controls. Tissue and blood samples were taken at the end of the procedures. Tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 levels were detected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to determine the inflammation and edema histopathologically. RESULTS: We also detected HIF-1 activity, which decreases when the oxygen concentration increases, HO-1 activity, which has anti-inflammatory effects, and iNOS activity, which releases in any type of acute case. We determined a statistically significant reduction in iNOS and LPO levels in both the HBO and Ozone groups. A significant decrease in inflammation was detected in both the Ozone and HBO groups compared with the Control group, and a significant decrease in edema was detected in all three groups. CONCLUSION: We think that HBO and Ozone therapy have beneficial effects on biochemical and histopathological findings. Related clinical trials will be helpful in clarifying the effects.

An analysis of firearms-related deaths between 1993-2010: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Firearm injuries (FI) are the most common cause of death among military personnel. In this study, postmortem examination and autopsy records of deaths resulting from firearm injuries recorded in the Department of Forensic Medicine of Gulhane Military Medical Academy between 1993-2010 were examined retrospectively. METHODS: We evaluated the characteristics of 153 firearm deaths accounting for 36.6% of all medical-legal autopsies. The cases included 152 men (99.3%) and 1 woman (0.7%). RESULTS: The mean age of the cases was 23.1 years (±4.7; range, 20-43 years). The manner of death was determined in all cases with 41.8% of cases identified as suicide and 39.9% as homicide. The most common sites of firearm entrance wounds were the head and neck region (n=109, 71.2%), the chest (n=26, 17%), or the abdomen (n=14, 9.2%). The type of firearm was not clear in most cases. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, complete forensic and medical records will facilitate the rapid and accurate conclusion of the legal process and will enhance future retrospective studies.

Diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography for patients with suspected scaphoid fractures and negative radiographic examinations.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in detecting occult scaphoid fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 patients with a clinically suspected scaphoid fracture and negative initial conventional radiographs were evaluated with 64-row MDCT wrist examinations within 1 week of the trauma. The gold standard used was the diagnosis on MRI done within 1 week after MDCT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of MDCT were calculated. RESULTS: MRI showed a total of 22 fractures in 20 of 55 (36%) wrists. Fractures included 14 scaphoid and 8 other carpal bones. MDCT showed a total of 19 fractures in 17 of 55 (30%) wrists. Two isolated scaphoid fractures and one trapezium fracture were missed on MDCT. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of MDCT were 86%, 100%, 100%, and 91%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MDCT offers highly accurate results, especially concerning cortical involvement, and is a useful alternative in facilities lacking MRI.