Evaluation of the Effects of Optokinetic Stimuli and Dual-Task Performance on Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Function in Children With Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of optokinetic stimuli and dual-task performance on vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function. The study primarily focused on understanding the effects of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its subtypes. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary medical centre. METHODS: Thirty-eight children diagnosed with ADHD and 40 typically developing (TD) children aged 8-18 were included in the study. According to their diagnostic reports, children diagnosed with ADHD were also examined in three subtypes: predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive (ADHD-HI) and the combined type. Functional head impulse test (fHIT) was applied to all participants in three conditions-with no additional stimulus, optokinetic stimulation and dual-task. Correct responses (CR) were determined for each group, and the conditions were compared. For the dual-task test performance, children were given a counting task. RESULTS: The findings of the study are significant. The CR values obtained from the fHIT tests applied under three different conditions were lower in the ADHD group compared to the control group. CR values for all fHIT conditions and all semicircular canals were lower in the ADHD-PI subtype and higher in the ADHD-HI subtype compared to other subgroups. CONCLUSION: This study has significant practical implications underscoring its relevance. fHIT, when applied with different protocols, can provide valuable information about the vestibular and cognitive states of children with ADHD. These results are particularly significant as the diagnosis of ADHD often relies on subjective interpretations, and fHIT offers a more objective and reliable method of evaluation.

Evaluation of balance and executive function relationships in older individuals.

BACKGROUND: Executive function is an important cognitive factor in gait and balance control. Weakening of balance system components and executive functions due to aging may affect walking and balance and increase the risk of falling. AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between balance and executive function in older individuals and the contributions of physical activity and depression to this relationship. METHODS: A total of 84 healthy individuals aged 60 and over were included in the study. In the study, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Trail Making Test A and B (TMT A and TMT B), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were applied. RESULTS: The Mini-BESTest and TUG correlated with DSST, TMT A, and TMT B. GDS was correlated with TUG. PASE was correlated with Mini-BESTest and TUG. Executive functions differed according to education level; DSST, TMT B, and GDS were effective in fall history. DISCUSSION: There was a significant relationship between balance and executive function. It was found that balance and walking speed increased as executive function skills increased. Depression and physical activity are associated with balance and gait speed. CONCLUSIONS: Balance and executive functions are related to each other, and physical activity and depression contribute to this relationship. In order to protect against the negative effects of aging, cognitive and physical training can be performed to prevent balance and executive function declines.

The Effect of Betamethasone Dosing Interval on Perinatal Outcomes: 12 Hours or 24 Hours Apart.

OBJECTIVE: Antenatal steroids are commonly used to stimulate fetal lung maturation, particularly in pregnancies at risk of early preterm labor. This study aimed to compare the effects of administering betamethasone at a 12- versus 24-hour interval on perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study included 423 early preterm births from 26+0/7 to 33+6/7 weeks of gestation. Patients received betamethasone at either a 12- or 24-hour dosing interval. RESULTS: When all patients in each group were evaluated together, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups for complications of prematurity, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). When the two groups were divided by gestational age (GA), the 32+0/7 to 33+6/7-week group that received betamethasone at a 24-hour interval had statistically lower 1- and 5-minute APGAR scores (p = 0.06 and p = 0.02, respectively). They also had a greater need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), NICU length of stay, RDS, and need for surfactant (p = 0.20, p = 0.09, p = 0.27, and p = 0.23, respectively) than did the infants at 32+0/7 to 33+6/7 weeks, who received betamethasone at a 12-hour interval. In the group with GA between 28+0/7 and 29+6/7 weeks, the 1-minute APGAR score was lower (p = 0.22), and the durations of hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation were longer (p = 0.048, p = 0.21, respectively) in the 24-hour interval group. No statistically significant difference was observed for all parameters in other GA groups. CONCLUSION: A 12-hour dosing interval for betamethasone appears to be more appropriate, as it results in a reduction in some neonatal complications and provides a short dose interval. KEY POINTS: · RDS is reduced when betamethasone is used 12 hours apart.. · When betamethasone is used 12 hours apart, the need for surfactant is reduced.. · The use of betamethasone 12 hours apart is advantageous with its short dose interval..

Investigation of some bioactive compounds, in vitro bioaccessibility, and sensory acceptability of couscous produced by pre-gelatinized rice flour.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensory properties, antioxidant capacities, total phenolic content, and their bioaccessibility in gluten-free rice couscous that is produced without additives. Since rice does not contain gluten, pre-gelatinized rice flour (GRF) was added instead of gum and enzymes in order to provide the desired structure in the couscous samples. RESULTS: According to the results, the total phenolic content of couscous samples was increased with GRF addition. The highest extractable and hydrolyzable antioxidant capacity values were observed in the couscous samples supplemented with 30% GRF using the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation, cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity methods. The bioaccessibility of antioxidant capacity was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control sample in all methods except the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical method in the couscous samples. CONCLUSION: According to the data obtained, it has been determined that couscous, which has a very small round shape, can be produced with GRF without additives. In this context, gluten-free rice couscous could be used as an alternative valuable food in terms of nutrition and can be an alternative traditional food for celiac diseases as well as for individuals preferring the consumption of gluten-free products. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Short-term outcomes of pregnant women with convalescent COVID-19 and factors associated with false-negative polymerase chain reaction test: A prospective cohort study.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical factors associated with false-negative RT-PCR results and to report the outcome of a cohort of pregnant women with COVID-19. METHODS: This cohort study was conducted in a tertiary referral pandemic hospital and included 56 pregnant women. A study including pregnant women with either a laboratory or clinical diagnosis for COVID-19 were included in the study. The primary outcome was clinical factors associated with false-negative RT-PCR results defined as a positive immunoglobulin M assessed by rapid testing in clinically diagnosed patients. Clinical outcomes of laboratory diagnosed patients were also reported. RESULTS: In total, 56 women with either RT-PCR or clinical COVID-19 diagnosis were included in the study. Forty-three women either had RT-PCR positivity or IgM positivity. The clinical outcome of these pregnancies was as follows: mean maternal age 27.7, immunoglobulin M positive patients 76.7%, RT-PCR positive patients 55.8%, maternal comorbidities 11.5%, complications in patients below 20 weeks 34.8%, complications in patients above 20 weeks 65.1%, elevated CRP 83.7%, lymphopenia 30.2%, time from hospital admission to final follow-up days 37 and stillbirth 8.3%. The proportion of women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M was 100% in the RT-PCR positive group and 56.5% in the clinical diagnosis group (P = .002). The symptom onset to RT-PCR testing interval longer than a week (risk ratio: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.14-5.40, P = .003) and presence of dyspnoea (risk ratio: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.14-0.89, P = .035) were associated with false-negative RT-PCR tests. The area under the curve of these parameters predicting false-negative RT-PCR was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.57-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic women with a negative RT-PCR should not be dismissed as potential COVID-19 patients, especially in the presence of prolonged symptom onset-test interval and in women without dyspnoea.

A cut-off value of epicardial fat thickness for the prediction of large for gestational age foetuses.

Estimation of foetal weight in the prenatal period is important in many respects. For this purpose, during different periods of pregnancy; mostly in the last trimester; many methods or formulas have been described, almost of them using ultrasound. Foetal epicardial adipose tissue has previously been described as a metabolic organ in studies. Foetal epicardial fat tissue thickness (EFT) measurement has been previously described in the literature and has been associated with metabolic conditions such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the strength and cut-off value of EFT measured by ultrasound in the second trimester in the prediction of large for gestational age (LGA) foetuses. Epicardial fat tissue thicknesses which were recorded during second trimester anomaly screening were evaluated retrospectively. Birth weights of the same cases were also obtained from the database and analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). LGA babies had thicker EFT measurements and we established a cut-off EFT value of 1.38 mm. Our results suggest that EFT thickness measured by ultrasound in the second trimester may be useful in predicting LGA foetuses.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? It is known that foetal epicardial fat tissue is an adipose tissue with metabolic functions. Previously the relationship between this tissue and prenatal complications; such as, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and infant growth and development were investigated. We planned this study considering that a tissue with metabolic functions affecting foetal growth may also affect birth weight.What do the results of this study add? Foetal epicardial fat thickness measurement only once in the second trimester may predict the 90th percentile limit at birth which is considered as the LGA limit.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? In our study, we determined that the thickness of epicardial fat tissue measured in the second tirmester could predict the 90 th percentile limit at birth and that the cut-off value for this group was 1.38 mm. We believe that this measurement may help to determine LGA babies at birth as early as the second trimester. In future studies, the 97 percentile limit can be determined from the early weeks with reaching larger groups. Thus, babies who are likely to experience birth trauma in clinical practice can be reached from early weeks.

Metabolic infrastructure of pregnant women with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms: A metabolomic analysis.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the altered metabolic infrastructure of pregnant women with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms at first trimester and during delivery. Eight singleton pregnant women with MTHFR polymorphisms were compared with 10 normal pregnant women. Maternal blood samples were obtained twice during their pregnancy period (between the 11th and 14th gestational weeks and during delivery). Metabolomic analysis was performed using GC-MS. The GC-MS based metabolomic profile helped identify 95 metabolites in the plasma samples. In the MTHFR group, the levels of 1-monohexadecanoylglycerol, pyrophosphate, benzoin, and linoleic acid significantly decreased (P ˂ 0.05 for all), whereas the levels of glyceric acid, l-tryptophan, l-alanine, l-proline, norvaline, l-threonine, and myo-inositol significantly increased (P ˂ 0.01 for the first two metabolites, P ˂ 0.05 for the others) at 11-14 gestational weeks. Conversely, the levels of benzoin, 1-monohexadecanoylglycerol, pyruvic acid, l-proline, phosphoric acid, epsilon-caprolactam, and pipecolic acid significantly decreased in the MTHFR group, whereas metabolites such as hexadecanoic acid and 2-hydroxybutyric acid increased significantly in the study group during delivery. An impaired energy metabolism pathway, vitamin B complex disorders, tendency for metabolic acidosis (oxidative stress), and the need for cell/tissue support seem prevalent in pregnancies with MTHFR polymorphisms.

Effect of coffee consumption on fetal renal artery blood flow and amniotic fluid volume in third trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Coffee is frequently (one or two cups/day) consumed throughout pregnancy. Although there are a few studies evaluating caffeine effects on pregnancy; however, a diuretic effect of caffeine on fetal kidneys has not been reported. Therefore, after drinking coffee whether changing of amniotic fluid index (AFI) and fetal renal artery blood flow (FRABF, RI, Resistive index; PI, Pulsatility index) were evaluated in this study. METHODS: This clinical study was performed with two groups. For the study group, 63 participants with isolated borderline oligohydramnios who agreed to drink one cup of instant coffee were included in this study while 63 participants with isolated borderline oligohydramnios who did not drink one cup of instant coffee formed the control group. AFI, RI and PI were evaluated both before and after coffee intake. RESULTS: Maternal characteristics of all study population were homogenous. FRABF indices were similar in both before and after coffee consumption. AFI was increased significantly six hours after drinking coffee (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The coffee consumption increased the amniotic fluid volume. However it does not seem to affect on FRABF. According to our study findings, coffee consumption may offer a new opportunity to improve amniotic fluid volume for pregnant women with oligohydramnios.

Metabolic Infrastructure of Pregnant Women With Trisomy 21 Fetuses; Metabolomic Analysis.

We aimed to configure impaired/altered metabolomic profiles of pregnant women carrying Down syndrome (DS) fetuses. The study involved 21 and 32 pregnant women with DS and euploid fetuses, respectively, as determined by prenatal screening and diagnosis as part of an antenatal care program. Metabolomic analyses were carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-qTOF-MS) methods. A total of 95 metabolites were identified. GC-MS analysis indicated that levels of 2-hydroxybutyric acid, benzoic acid, nonanoic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, and 2-ketoisocaproic acid were increased in the DS group, where beta-alanine, threonic acid, oxalic acid, alpha-tocopherol, uracil, 2-piperidone, and creatinine were decreased. However, LC-qTOF-MS analysis showed that lipid-related metabolites were decreased in women carrying DS fetuses, whereas creatine, N4-phosphoagmatine, citrate, 2,5-dioxopentanoate, 2-furoate, pyruvate, and fructose levels were increased. Pathway analysis was also performed using metabolites whose levels were significantly altered (p<0.05) between the groups, and the findings indicated that the biosynthesis pathways of aminoacyl-tRNA and "valine-leucine-isoleucine", and metabolism pathways of "glycine-serine-threonine", nitrogen, "alanine-aspartate-glutamate", propanoate, glycerophospholipid, cysteine, methionine, and phenylalanine were significantly altered. Our findings indicate a special type of metabolic status/syndrome in pregnant women with Down syndrome fetuses. It could be speculated that altered metabolic status might influence both gametogenesis and embryogenesis. Down syndrome is a complex genetic disorder that is important to detect prenatally, but may also be prevented by taking necessary precautions prior to pregnancy.

Clinical analyses of 383 cases with maternal cardiac diseases.

AIM: To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of women with heart disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 383 pregnant women with cardiac diseases were examined. The cases were classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The distribution of the cases according to class, congenital heart diseases, mean birthweight, mean gestational week at delivery, type of delivery [cesarean section (CS) or vaginal delivery], and cardivascular events (during pregnancy and puerperium) were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 383 patients, 25 were in Class I; 39, Class II; 255, Class II or III; 31, Class III; and 33, Class IV cardiac diseases. The neonatal birth weights were significantly lower in Class III than in Classes II, and II or III. The preterm delivery rate was higher in Class III than in the other classes. Delivery was performed by CS due to cardiac indications in the high-risk classes, however, only obstetric indications were considered in the low-risk classes. Only one case of maternal death occurred during the postpartum period, in a patient with Eisenmenger's syndrome. DISCUSSION: Cardiovascular diseases are an important cause of mortality and morbidity in pregnancy. The adverse impact of cardiovascular disorders on pregnancy outcomes should be the main concern during the management of these women.

Effect of micronized progesterone on fetal-placental volume in first-trimester threatened abortion.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of oral micronized progesterone (OMP) on the first-trimester fetal and placental volumes using three-dimensional ultrasonography and extended imaging virtual organ computer-aided analysis (XI VOCAL) method in threatened abortion. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial enrolled women with threatened abortion and a singleton pregnancy from 6-8 6/7 weeks of gestation. A total of 60 women with threatened abortion were randomly assigned to one of two groups: OMP (400 mg/day) (n = 30) and control groups (n = 30). The XI VOCAL method was used for all volume measurements using three-dimensional ultrasonography. All patients were evaluated for fetal, amniotic, and placental volumes during the initial diagnosis and after 4 weeks. RESULTS: After treatment, placental volume difference was significantly higher in the OMP group (336%, 67-1,077) than in the control group (141%, 29-900) (p = 0.007). The mean differences in gestational sac, amniotic sac, and embryonic volumes between the OMP and control groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal support with OMP is associated with increased placental volume in first-trimester threatened abortion when compared with the control group. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:14-19, 2017.

The Effect of Cold Vapor Applied for Sore Throat in the Early Postoperative Period.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the effect of cold vapor applied for sore throat in the early postoperative stage. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design was used. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 60 patients who underwent lumbar disc herniation surgery in the Neurosurgery Clinic of Gazi University Health Research and Practice Center in Ankara, Turkey. The study involved two intervention groups and one control group. The study data were collected through questionnaire and observation forms. FINDINGS: 65% (n = 39) of patients experienced sore throat. There were no statistical differences between the groups in terms of sore throat and hoarseness (P > .05); however, a significant difference was determined in the group to whom oxygen together with cold vapor was applied for dry throat (4th and 8th hours) and swallowing difficulties(8th and 12th hours) (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Cold vapor did not have an effect on sore throat on its own; however, it decreased hoarseness and swallowing difficulties when applied together with oxygen.

The effect of 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation of a 3G mobile phone on the parotid gland of rats.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation on the parotid gland of rats in short and relatively long terms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Groups A and B served as the control groups (for 10 days and 40 days, respectively), and each group included six rats. Groups C and D were composed of nine rats each, and they were the exposure groups. The rats were exposed to 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted by a generator, simulating a third generation mobile phone for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 10 or 40 days. Following exposure, the rats were sacrificed and parotid glands were removed. Histopathological and biochemical examinations were performed. RESULTS: Although there were no histopathological changes in the control groups except for two animals in group A and three animals in group B, the exposure groups C (10 days) and D (40 days) showed numerous histopathological changes regarding salivary gland damage including acinar epithelial cells, interstitial space, ductal system, vascular system, nucleus, amount of cytoplasm and variations in cell size. The histopathological changes were more prominent in group D compared to group C. There was statistically significant different parameter regarding variation in cell size between the groups B and D (p=0.036). CONCLUSION: The parotid gland of rats showed numerous histopathological changes after exposure to 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation, both in the short and relatively long terms. Increased exposure duration led to an increase in the histopathological changes.

The effects of nasal base stabilization techniques on nasal tip rigidity.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the degree of nasal tip rigidity from different techniques for increasing nasal tip projection. METHODS: Retrospective records of patients who had undergone rhinoplasty were reviewed at the tertiary referral center. 81 patients who had undergone suturing of the medial crura to the extension graft or to the long septum were selected. In group A, fixation was performed at the same level compared to before surgery. In group B, tip grafting was performed to gain 3 mm or more in projection after fixation as done in group A. In group C, the same tip projection was provided by advancing the medial crura on the caudal septum or extension graft. Patients were evaluated with a visual analog scale, based on the rigidity of the nasal tip (0=very flexible, 10=very rigid). RESULTS: When the preoperative and postoperative VAS scores of all groups were compared, postoperative scores were significantly higher than the preoperative scores (p<0.001). The postoperative scores of group C were higher than those of the other groups. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups A and B with regard to the postoperative scores (p=0.389). However, in group C, the increase between preoperative and postoperative scores was significantly higher than in the other groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Advancing the medial crura on the caudal septum and suturing to gain 3 mm or more of tip projection may result in a more rigid nasal tip. Patients should be informed preoperatively of this potential result. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

[The same nasal tip deformity in three siblings]. / Üç kardesteki ayni nazal tip deformitesi.

Similar to all other system anomalies, congenital nasal anomalies are caused by the defects during embriyogenesis and organogenesis. Nasal tip anomalies are usually accompanied by other systemic pathologies and syndromes. In this article, we report a nose anomaly with the same nasal tip appearance in three siblings.

[An evaluation of the radioprotective effect of vitamin E on the salivary glands of radioactive iodine in rats]. / Radyoaktif iyot verilen siçanlarda tükürük bezleri üzerinde E vitaminin radyasyondan koruyucu etkisinin degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the acute effect of vitamin E on salivary gland of radioactive iodine (RAI; 131I)-induced rats and to evaluate whether vitamin E have a radioprotective effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen Wistar albino rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into two groups. The first group was administered (131)I orally and 1 ml physiological saline. The second group was administered (131)I and 1 ml vitamin E intraperitoneally. Vitamin E was started two days before the RAI therapy and continued for seven days. On the eighth day, salivary glands were removed and evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. The changes in the interstitial space of all glands and in acinar epithelial cells of parotid and sublingual glands were observed in a lower number of the rats of vitamin E group, compared to the controls. Except panacinar inflammation, histopathological changes in acinar epithelial cells of the submandibular gland were noticed in a lower number of the rats of vitamin E group. CONCLUSION: Considering the changes in the interstitial space and acinar epithelial cells in a lower number of the rats of vitamin E group, we conclude that vitamin E may have protective effects for interstitial space of all glands and acinar epithelial cells of the parotid and sublingual glands during the acute period.

Correction: Avsar Aydin, E. 3D-Printed Graphene-Based Bow-Tie Microstrip Antenna Design and Analysis for Ultra-Wideband Applications. Polymers 2021, 13, 3724.

In the original publication [...].

Trauma in pregnancy: An analysis of the adverse perinatal outcomes and the injury severity score.

BACKGROUND: Trauma during pregnancy is one of the most important causes of non-obstetric maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. The aim of our study is to evaluate the adverse perinatal outcomes that may occur according to the type and severity of the trauma. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, pregnant traumatized women aged 18-50 years and referred for consultation to the Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital's emergency services of the departments of gynecology and obstetrics, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022, were evaluated. Demographic characteristics, trauma findings, Injury Severity Scoring (ISS), and obstet-ric outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1825 trauma patients, including 900 pregnants were referred to our emergency gynecology clinic for consulta-tion. One hundred and fifty three pregnant patients, whose birth information we reached, were selected as the study group. The mean age of the patients was 25.56±5.99 years and the mean gestational week at the time of trauma was 21.59±9.89 weeks, the patients had fallen (67.97%), had been exposed to violence (30.07%), and had a traffic accient (1.96%). The patient's delivery and hospitalization status on the day of trauma, fracture and ISS ≥9 were statistically significantly at a higher rate in the 3rd trimester. Rates of hospitaliza-tion and 3rd trimester traumas were found to be significantly higher in the ISS ≥9 group. (P=0.0001, P=0.028, respectively). CONCLUSION: Compared to the general population, the rates of preterm premature rupture of membranes-premature rupture of membranes, fetal death, fetal distress, cesarean delivery, placental abruption, and preterm delivery increased in traumatized pregnant women. Patients with low ISS scores should also be followed closely during pregnancy in terms of perinatal complications, as well as the severe trauma group.

Radioanatomic study of maxillary sinus palatal process pneumatization.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a detailed analysis of palatal process pneumatization (PPP) on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. METHODS: This study consisted of 376 maxillary sinuses of 188 patients aged 22-88 years who had maxillary CBCT scans. The radioanatomy of the PPP was evaluated at distances 4, 8, 16, and 24 mm posterior to incisive foramen. The types of PPP were classified as follows: type I: maxillary sinus palatal process non-gasified; type II: palatal process gasification into the nasal floor, but not more than half of the width of the nasal floor; and type III: palatal process gasification into the nasal floor more than half of the width of nasal floor. Sinus opening angle (SOA), palatonasal recess angle (PNRA), palatal junction angle (PJA), and palatal depth measurement (PDM) were the evaluated parameters. RESULTS: Among the identified 1315 PPPs, type I PPP (880, 66.92%) was the most frequently observed, followed by type II (426, 32.4%), and the least observed was type III PPP (9, 0.68%). There was no significant difference between SOA and PJA according to the types of PPP (p > 0.05). The difference between PNRA and PDM of type I and type II PPP showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Type I PPP was the most encountered with the highest PDM, and PNRA was narrower in type III than in type II PPP. CONCLUSION: Physicians must be aware of these variations to prevent possible complications during surgery because 33.08% of the maxillary sinuses showed extensive pneumatization through the palatal process.

Effect of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on the placenta in the third trimester of pregnancy: A prospective case-control study.

To clarify the effect of asymptomatic coronaviruse disease-2019 (COVID-19) positivity on the placenta in the third trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This prospective, case-control study included 30 pregnant women diagnosed with asymptomatic COVID-19 between April 30, 2021 and July 20, 2021 who delivered after the 34th gestational week, and a control group of 30 pregnant women without COVID-19, who delivered between April 2021 and July 2021, matched to the study group regarding age, gestational age and body mass index. Outcomes were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, serum blood outcomes, neonatal results, complications and placental histopathological findings. Results: The mean age of the study population was 28.8 years and the mean gestational week was 38.2 weeks. The C-reactive protein levels (38.2 mg/L vs 5.8 mg/L, p=0.001) and ferritin levels (266.4 µg/L and 40.5 µg/L, p=0.001) were significantly higher in the COVID-19-positive pregnant women. The lymphocyte level was significantly higher in the non-COVID-19 pregnant women (p=0.040). Mural hypertrophy was determined at a significantly higher rate in COVID-positive pregnant women (83.3% vs 30.0%, p=0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that only COVID-19 positivity increased the presence of mural hypertrophy in pregnant women with asymptomatic COVID-19 (4.716-fold, 95% confidence interval=1.012-22.251). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that asymptomatic COVID-19 had no significant effect on pregnancy and neonatal complications. However, mural hypertrophy in the placenta was found at a significantly higher rate in pregnant women with asymptomatic COVID-19.