Effects of Anatolian Propolis and Hypertonic Saline Combination Nasal Spray on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms: A Prospective, Multicenter Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate how Rhinapi nasal spray affects symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, observational study, 10,000 patients (comprising 5028 males and 4972 females) exhibiting symptoms of allergic rhinitis (namely, nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal itching, and nasal obstruction) from different centers in different regions of Turkey were enrolled in the study between March 2022 and March 2023. All the patients wanted to participate in the study and were administered Rhinapi one puff to each nostril three times a day, for a period of 3 weeks. Total symptom scores, quality of life (QoL) scores, and otolaryngological examination scores were evaluated before and 3 weeks after treatment. Results: The scores for discharge from the nose, sneezing, nasal pruritus, and blockage of the nose all indicated improvement when compared to pre-medication and post-medication. This difference achieved statistical significance (P < .001). The mean total symptom score fell following treatment (P < .001): whilst the score was 11.09 ± 3.41 before administering Rhinapi; after administration, the average score was 6.23 ± 2.41. The mean QoL scores also altered after medication (P < .001), improving from a mean value of 6.44 ± 1.55 to a mean of 7.31 ± 1.24. Significant improvement was also noted in the scores for conchal color and degree of edema after the treatment had been administered (P < .001). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Rhinapi nasal spray decreases total symptom scores, and results in improved QoL and otolaryngological examination scores. Propolis spray may be recommended for patients with allergic rhinitis alongside other treatments.

The effectiveness of online Visually Enhanced Mental Simulation in developing casualty triage and management skills of paramedic program students: A quasi-experimental research study.

BACKGROUND: Paramedics who perform patient triaging in case of a mass casualty incident generally receive triage training during their undergraduate educational program. Triage training can be facilitated using various simulation modalities together with theoretical training. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of online scenario-based Visually Enhanced Mental Simulation (VEMS) on developing the casualty triage and management skills of paramedic students. DESIGN: The study was conducted using a single-group pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was carried out in October 2020 with 20 volunteer students studying in the First and Emergency Aid program of a university in Turkey. METHODS: After the online theoretical crime scene management and triage course, students completed a demographic questionnaire and a pre-VEMS assessment. They then took part in the online VEMS training and eventually completed the post-VEMS assessment. At the end of the session, they filed an online survey concerning VEMS. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant increase in the scores obtained by the students between the pre- and post-educational intervention assessment (p < 0.05). The majority of the students gave positive feedback concerning VEMS as an educational approach. CONCLUSION: The results show that online VEMS is effective in helping paramedic students acquire casualty triage and management skills and that students thought it was an effective educational approach.

Culturally modified olfactory test adapted to East-Turkey: A comparison with Sniffin' Sticks.

BACKGROUND: Although the "Sniffin' Sticks" test (SST) is a widely used odor test, aplicability of odor tests is limited because of the high cost of the test and the regional-cultural differentiation of odor recognition. We aimed to evaluate our regional odor norms by applying the SST with a Modified odor test (MOT) we created for this study, and to develop a test similar to the SST, which was less expensive and probably had a higher odor definition for our region. METHODS: This study includes 201 healthy volunteers: 91 men and 110 women over the age of 18 were included in the study. Tests were compared by applying the SST and MOT to all volunteers. RESULTS: In all subjects, for the SST: the mean Threshold score (TS), Discrimination score (DS), and Identification score (IS) were, respectively, 10.73 ± 2.35, 11.11 ± 11.94 and 11.32 ± 2.15. TheTDI mean score was found to be 33.11 ± 5.9. In the TDI score, the 10th percentile value was found to be 26. For the MOT, the mean TS(mTS), DS(mDS), and IS(mIS) were 10.88 ± 2.31, 12 ± 2.06, and 11.95 ± 2.07, respectively, the modified test TDI(mTDI) mean was 34.68 ± 6.47. The mTDI 10th percentile value was found to be 26. In all volunteers, there was no statistically significant difference between the two tests for the mean threshold score, while the difference in the mean discrimination score, the average identification score, and the average TDI (thresold, discrimination, sum of identification scores) score was statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSION: This study is the first study to compare the SST and the MOT in our region. Making low-cost modifications by adding more probable smells to the smell tests and using them in studies involving more participants will be more meaningful in evaluating normative odor scores and will result in more widespread use.

Evaluation of symptoms of preopoperative and postoperative psychosomatic screening in children with adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy are very common operations in childhood. It is important to clarify their effects on this age group; in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the causative agent on children's mental health by using scales that help to screen for indications of mental disorders in children, who have had adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy, both before and after surgery. In this way, we aimed to investigate the effects of this factor on children's mental health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 82 children aged 6-12 years with signs of upper respiratory tract obstruction or recurrent adenotonsilitis. Adenotonsillectomy was performed in 41 patients included in the study and adenoidectomy was performed in 41 patients included in the study. 40 healthy children matched with the patient groups in terms of age and gender were included in the control group. Patients, were divided into three groups, those who underwent adenoidectomy, patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy and those in the control group Preoperative and postoperative questionnaires were used to investigate the effect of tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy on the mental health of children. The Parents' Form for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Parental Form for the Children's Anxiety Screening Scale, the Sleeping Scale for Children and the Quality of Life Scale for Children were used in the screening. RESULTS: In children, who underwent adenoidectomy/adenotonsillectomy due to recurrent infection and adeno/adenotonsillar hypertrophy; it was seen that there was a significant decrease in the scores for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Anxiety Screening Scale in Children, and the Sleep Scale in Children, and a significant increase in Quality of Life Scale for Children scores. OUTCOME: In conclusion, adenoidectomy/adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep apnea due to recurrent episodes of infection and adeno/adenotonsillar hypertrophy was thought to prevent further neurobehavioral problems, likely to become more complex in the future, and to improve quality of life.

Cervicomediastinal giant cystic hygroma: a case report.

Cystic hygroma is a rare congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. It is most frequently detected in the head and neck region. Ultrasonography is performed as the first step for radiological diagnosis of these lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging provides important information for diagnosis and to guide treatment. In this paper, a case is reported of cervicomediastinal large cystic hygroma in a male infant.