Reducing prejudice toward Syrian refugee children: A vicarious contact intervention among Turkish elementary school children.

We conducted an experimental intervention to test the effectiveness of vicarious contact in the relationship between Turkish and Syrian elementary school children; the participants were Turkish children. We used a mixed-methods approach, investigating effects by using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Participants in the experimental condition were asked to read stories on positive contact between Turkish and Syrian children over the course of six weekly sessions. The results revealed that vicarious contact, compared to a control condition where participants did not engage in any activity, led to greater intentions to help outgroup members. Importantly, effects only emerged among children who reported higher initial negative outgroup attitudes. Results from qualitative data revealed that vicarious contact produced richer, more positive, and complex representations of the relationships and friendships between groups. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Topographic evaluation of the medial canthus-alar groove line in terms of determining the boundaries of lateral osteotomies.

UNLABELLED: Nasolacrimal duct injury is a rare complication of rhinoplasty. Detailed regional anatomy knowledge is mandatory to avoid this complication. To display a reference line to protect the nasolacrimal duct from injury during lateral osteotomy, dacryocystography images of 10 patients who underwent rhinoplasty surgery at the authors' clinic were obtained. Lateral osteotomy lines and a line from the medial canthus to the alar groove were marked with radio-opaque wires before procedures. Horizontal and sagittal distances from these lines to the nasolacrimal duct were measured at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the nasolacrimal duct. No sign of nasolacrimal duct injury was observed postoperatively. The mean horizontal distances from the osteotomy lines to the nasolacrimal duct entrance, midpoint, and exit were respectively 0.23 ± 0.12 cm, 0.25 ± 0.11 cm, and 0.24 ± 0.11 cm, and the mean sagittal distances were respectively 0.61 ± 0.21 cm, 1.96 ± 0.28 cm, and 2.38 ± 0.32 cm. The mean horizontal distances from the medial canthus-alar groove line to the nasolacrimal duct entrance, midpoint, and exit were respectively 0.57 ± 0.1 cm, 0.51 ± 0.1 cm, and 0.46 ± 0.13 cm, and the mean sagittal distances were 0.91 ± 0.27 cm, 1.34 ± 0.27 cm, and 1.79 ± 0.3 cm. The osteotomy lines and the nasolacrimal duct were closest in the medial canthal region. The imaginary line from the medial canthus to the junction of the alar wings and cheek was always lateral and anterior to the nasolacrimal duct. Considering the three-dimensional shape of the nose, especially its projection, placement of lateral osteotomies medial to the medial canthus-alar groove line would decrease the risk of nasolacrimal duct injury. 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 .

Dealing With Increasing Negativity Toward Refugees: A Latent Growth Curve Study of Positive and Negative Intergroup Contact and Approach-Avoidance Tendencies.

Despite increasing contact opportunities, prejudice toward refugees persists, especially in mass immigration contexts. We investigated changes in and associations between Turkish early adolescents' (N = 687, Mage = 11.11 years) positive and negative contact with Syrian refugees and their outgroup approach-avoidance tendencies over 15 months (three waves). Univariate growth curve models demonstrated a rise in outgroup negativity indicated by increasing negative contact and avoidance tendencies, and decreasing approach tendencies, while positive contact only slightly increased over time (nonsignificantly). Combined latent growth curve models showed that increasing positive contact buffered against increasing outgroup negativity in behavioral tendencies by predicting a less steep decline in approach and a less steep increase in avoidance. Increasing negative contact was positively associated with increasing outgroup negativity so that it predicted a more steep increase in avoidance. Findings underline the importance of early contact interventions that target the fast deterioration of positive intergroup interactions in increasingly hostile intergroup contexts.

Looking for your cross-group friends after the breakout? Children's intergroup contact behaviours before and after the onset of COVID-19.

While COVID-19 implications for prejudice have been investigated among adults in previous research, children's intergroup reactions to the pandemic and specifically how native children's contact behaviours with refugees might have changed after the pandemic has not been examined yet. Drawing on a unique longitudinal school dataset (N = 861, 5th graders, Mage reported at T1 = 10.38, SD = 0.68) collected before the onset of the pandemic (T1, pre-lockdown), after the onset of the pandemic (T2, post-lockdown), and 6 months after the post-lockdown (T3, follow-up) in Turkey, we examined how children's contact behaviour (positive and negative contact), contact motivation (self-efficacy and volition), as well as behavioural tendencies (approach and avoidance) have shifted during this period (2.5 years). We observed a consistent pattern of improvement in contact behaviours demonstrated by increases in positive contact variables and decreases in negative contact variables particularly from T1 to T2. The change in some positive contact variables was stable for 6 months, while negative contact and avoidance rapidly regressed to the baseline during the normalization period (T3). The boosting effect of the pandemic was particularly pronounced among children who displayed greater prejudice towards refugees before the pandemic. Findings contribute to the growing research literature delineating the potential benefits of COVID-19 at the collective level.

The effects of exogenous melatonin on peripheral nerve regeneration and collagen formation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve damage that requires surgical repair does not result in complete recovery because of collagen scar formation, ischemia, free oxygen radical damage, and other factors. To date, the best treatment method has not yet been determined. In this study, we designed an experimental peripheral nerve injury model, and researched the possible effects of melatonin hormone, based on evidence of its strong antioxidant and cell-protective effects via mimicking the effects of calcium channel blockers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomized 24 healthy female albino rats into three groups: the pinealectomy group, melatonin group, and control group. In the pinealectomy group, craniotomy, pinealectomy, sciatic nerve transection, and coaptation were performed, and 0.9% NaCl was injected intraperitoneally. In the melatonin group, craniotomy (without pinealectomy), sciatic nerve dissection, and coaptation were performed, and melatonin was injected intraperitoneally, instead of NaCl. In the control group, craniotomy (without pinealectomy), sciatic nerve dissection and coaptation, and intraperitoneal NaCl injection were performed. In each group, nerve recovery was evaluated histologically, functionally, and electrophysiologically. Functional and electrophysiologic evaluations were conducted before surgery and at 4 and 12 wk. RESULTS: At 4 wk, no significant difference was observed between the groups. However, at 12 wk, significant electrophysiologic and functional improvement was observed only in the melatonin group. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin seems to have a beneficial effect on nerve recovery. However, this effect is not effective at physiologic doses. Future comparative studies with melatonin versus other nerve-regenerating agents are necessary to determine the clinical utility of melatonin hormone.

Importance of hereditary factors in synchronous development of Basal cell carcinoma in two albino brothers: case report.

Oculocutaneous albinism is an autosomal recessive disease associated with hypomelanosis of the skin, hair, and eyes. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm in this group. Those affected in the tropical populations have higher rates of metastatic lesions. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human cancer. Its incidence is steadily increasing. The etiology of BCC of the skin is characterized by a complex interaction of environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors. The results of family and genetic studies provide support for the role of genetic factors in BCC, but most cases of BCC of the skin appear to be sporadic, and possible gene-environment interactions remain unknown. We have reported 2 brothers who have albinism and synchronous developed BCC on their trunk region. Unlike most of the albino patients, our cases have BCC instead of squamous cell carcinoma. Development of the same malignancy in the same life period at the similar localizations reminds the importance of genetic predisposition.

The evaluation of transseptal transfixion incision for preservation [corrected] of the nasal tip projection.

Rhinoplasty surgery has been among the most popular techniques sought by men and women in the last decade. Since Dr John Roe's endonasal rhinoplasty approach was first introduced in 1887, loss of nasal tip projection has been a challenging problem. To solve this problem, a variety of technical methods have been presented by many authors.In this study, the transseptal transfixion incision method was used to preserve the nasal tip projection. Transmembranous transfixion incisions were used and a 2-mm cartilaginous strip was left attached to the membranous septum. At the end of the operation, the cartilaginous strip was used as a strut flap. To evaluate nasal tip projection, preoperative and postoperative lateral view photos of all patients were marked at reference points (lateral cantus, alar groove, and angulus oris) and overlapped. The changes of the nose were clearly evaluated using Photoshop CS and Macromedia Fireworks in accordance with clinimetric analysis methods. All patients were evaluated at 12 months postoperatively. Although we did not use the additional tip projecting method, including cartilage graft, suture of nasal tip projections went well and columella appearances were natural. In this technique, extra time and both autologous and artificial tissue are not required to maintain the nasal tip support. The main anatomic relation between lower lateral cartilages and septum is not disturbed and the appearance of the nasal tip is more natural. It is easy to determine how much the caudal septum will be reduced.

The association between silicone implants and both antibodies and autoimmune diseases.

Silicones are widely used materials in many fields of medicine and largely are believed to be biologically inert. However, some investigators have reported that silicone implants are associated with an increased incidence of autoimmune disorders. In this study, we evaluated the capsular tissue of silicone implants and the sera of implant patients and controls for antisilicone antibodies and nonspecific immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE). Our study group included 15 patients (eight men and seven women) undergoing reconstructive procedures for burn scars, in whom we used silicone implants, and 15 sex-matched controls undergoing reconstructive surgery for burn scars without using silicone implants. By immunofluorescence, we discovered strong capsular binding of IgG and weak capsular binding of IgM; antisilicone antibody levels were significantly higher in capsular tissue than elsewhere. Serum IgE also was higher in patient vs control subject sera. In conclusion, silicone materials do lead to an immune response consisting of antisilicone antibodies most evident immediately adjacent to the implant itself.

Keloid formation on an inconspicuous penis.

Inconspicuous penis is an umbrella term used to categorize several anatomic anomalies that occur in newborn boys. The consequences of this anomaly may be catastrophic unless it is accurately diagnosed. Repeated circumcisions will accentuate the problem without any solution. Keloid formation on the penis is exceptionally rare even though circumcision is a world-wide procedure. Herein, we present a 13-year-old boy with a buried glans penis, micturation difficulty, and keloid formation. He was previously circumcised twice before admission to our clinic. A surgical correction together with intralesional steroid injection was performed. The outcome of this procedure was satisfactory. We conclude that repeated circumcision may not be the best choice of treatment for keloid formation on the penis.

Hammer-chisel technique in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

We performed a prospective evaluation of endoscopic hammer-chisel dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) procedures on 62 eyes of 44 patients (40 female and 4 male) with chronic epiphora or dacryocystitis (26 unilateral and 18 bilateral). The technique included chisel removal of bone over the lacrimal sac. The follow-up period was 12 to 54 months (mean, 28 months), and the patients' ages ranged from 17 to 67 years (mean, 35.5 years). The success rate of the consecutive endoscopic hammer-chisel DCR procedures was 87%. During operation, 8 patients had mild mucosal hemorrhage, which did not prevent the successful completion of the operation. Excellent patient tolerance was observed, with minimal morbidity and no major complications. As compared to the external approach, endoscopic hammer-chisel DCR is less traumatic, is less time-consuming, and is practical and cosmetically convenient, with minimal perioperative and postoperative complications. It also allows the simultaneous correction of any intranasal disease. It requires minimal instrumentation and is a relatively easy and fast technique.

Efficacy of silver-loaded nanofiber dressings in Candida albicans-contaminated full-skin thickness rat burn wounds.

In this experimental study, the effects of nanofiber dressings containing different forms of silver on full-thickness rat burn contaminated with Candida albicans was analyzed. A full-thickness skin burn was formed on a total of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. After the burn wound was seeded with a 10 colony-forming units/ml standard strain of Candida albicans ATCC90028, the animals were divided into four groups. The effects of topical silver sulfadiazine and two recently designed nanofiber dressings containing nanosilver and silversulfadiazine as active materials were compared with the control group. There was a significant difference in the Candida growth on the burn eschar tissue among the groups. The difference for Candida growth in the burn eschar between the control group and the 1% silver sulfadiazine-containing nanofiber dressing group was statistically significant (P< 0.01). Silver sulfadiazine-containing nanofiber dressing was the most effective agent in the treatment of Candida albicans-contaminated burn wounds. Because of their regenerative potential, silver-loaded nanofiber dressings could be a good alternative for infected burn wounds.

Diffusion tensor imaging in carpal tunnel syndrome.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of diffusion tensor imaging in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and to obtain a quantitative parameter that may contribute to the diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The median nerves in 57 wrists of 38 patients diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome and 30 wrists of 24 normal subjects were prospectively evaluated with a 3T Philips scanner, using standard 8-channel SENSE head coil. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed using spin echo-echo planar imaging. For anatomical reference, a T1-weighted sequence was acquired. Fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient measurements were done focally at the carpal tunnel level and from whole median nerve. RESULTS: In carpal tunnel syndrome patients, both focal carpal tunnel and whole nerve measurements demonstrated statistically significantly lower fractional anisotropy values than normal subjects (P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed in apparent diffusion coefficient measurements. The cut-off value obtained by receiver operator characteristics analysis was 0.554 for focal carpal tunnel fractional anisotropy (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 80%) and 0.660 for whole nerve fractional anisotropy (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 80%) measurement. CONCLUSION: Diffusion tensor imaging may contribute to the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome on the basis of fractional anisotropy measurements.

Versatility of botulinum toxin: a use in stabilization of pedicled muscle flaps.

BACKGROUND: In this study, botulinum toxin A was used to secure the stabilization of muscle flaps without denervation atrophy. METHODS: Thirty adult female Wistar rats were divided into a control group (group I, n = 10), a denervation group (group II, n = 10), and a botulinum toxin A group (group III, n = 10). In all of the groups, pedicled pectoralis major muscle flaps were elevated from the sternal attachment on the right side. In the second group, muscle flaps were denervated by transsecting the pectoralis major nerve after flap elevation; in the third group, botulinum toxin A (1.4 U of Dysport; Ipsen, Maidenhead, United Kingdom) was injected into the prepared muscle flap before flap replacement. The distance between the medial side of the muscle and the midline was measured at 4 weeks. Histopathological examination was performed 10 weeks after the first operation. The diameter of the muscle fibers was measured, and the degree of atrophy in the muscle flaps was evaluated in all groups. RESULTS: Mean distances from the midline were statistically significantly different in all of the groups (p = 0.000, p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in muscle fiber diameter among the groups (p = 0.000, p < 0.01). Temporary denervation by botulinum toxin A and irreversible denervation with transsection of the motor nerve caused the reduced diameters of the muscle fibers. In addition, moderate to severe muscle atrophy in group II and mild to moderate muscle atrophy in group III were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In the pedicled muscle flaps, botulinum toxin A can be used easily and reliably for stabilization. It was concluded that detachment of the muscle flap might be prevented and operative morbidity decreased using this method.

[Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the management of pancreatic and duodenal injuries]. / Pankreas ve duodenum yaralanmalarinda pankreatikoduodenektomi.

BACKGROUND: Patients who have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy because of duodenopancreatic injury are retrospectively evaluated. METHODS: Eight patients have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy because of trauma in Ege University School of Medicine Department of Surgery. Six of the injuries were penetrating, and two of them were blunt. Six patients were male and two of them were female with a mean age of 29.2 (between 17 and 63). RESULTS: All patients had complicated duodenopancreatic, and associated grade I and grade II liver injuries. Major vessels were injured in three patients. There were also two colonic, one gastric, and one jejunal injury as a coexisting pathology. Two patients were died because of sepsis. One patient had pancreatic, and one had biliary fistula, both healed spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Pancreaticoduodenectomy should be practiced as a life-saving procedure in the management of severe duodenopancreatic trauma. Qualified centers with adequate experience have a higher success rate.

Effects of abdominoplasty on respiratory functions: a prospective study.

The short-term and the long-term effects of abdominoplasty on the respiratory function of healthy adults are not known because of a lack of studies on this subject. Theoretically one might suggest that abdominoplasty can cause respiratory decompensation resulting from musculofascial plication, which reduces the respiratory reserve by decreasing intra-abdominal volume and diaphragmatic excursion. This prospective study was performed to evaluate the short-term effects of abdominoplasty on the pulmonary function of 14 consecutive otherwise healthy subjects. Calculation of the body mass index, measurement of the waist circumference, and the distance from xiphoid to umbilicus, and spirometry were performed for each subject preoperatively, and they were repeated at 10 and 30 days after the operation. The mean values of body mass index (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.05), and the distance from xiphoid to umbilicus (p < 0.001) were all decreased significantly by postoperative day 10. Comparison of the spirometric measurements showed a significant improvement in the mean forced vital capacity (p < 0.01) on day 30 postoperatively, whereas the mean forced expiratory volume in first second did not change throughout the study period. The authors conclude that abdominoplasty could improve pulmonary function in healthy subjects by increasing the forced vital capacity.

Craniofacial anthropometry in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: To present norms and demonstrate the anthropometric variations in fronto-occipital circumference, inner and outer canthal distances, near and distant [far] anatomical interpupillary distance, canthal index, and circumference-interorbital index across age and sex in urban Turkish subjects. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand four hundred forty-eight subjects (1852 male, 1596 female) aged 7 to 40 years were included in this study. METHODS: Three age groups were studied: children aged 7 to 15 years, young adults aged 16 to 25 years, and adults aged 26 to 40 years. Mean values for each measured parameter were determined at each age between 7 and 25 years. Subjects were also divided into nine age subgroups to observe the change of each parameter with advancing age. RESULTS: The fronto-occipital circumference and outer canthal distance of males was significantly (p <.001) wider than females in all age groups. The near and distant interpupillary distances of male subjects were, on average, wider than the female subjects with greater differences with advancing age. Across all subjects aged 7 to 40 years, the mean of all measured parameters and calculated indexes of men and boys was significantly different from girls and women (p <.001). The mean for interpupillary distances in our study in both sexes were found to be similar to Arabian, Hong Kong, and British children; larger than those of Chinese, Black, Indian, and Caucasians; and smaller than those of Mexican children and a mixed European population. CONCLUSION: This study clearly shows the anthropometric variation for fronto-occipital circumference, inner canthal distance, outer canthal distance, near and distant interpupillary distance, canthal index, and circumference-interorbital index with age. These developmental data and the normal values of these measurements in healthy subjects are useful for dysmorphologists in the early identification of some craniofacial syndromes, hyper- and hypotelorism, and congenital or posttraumatic telecanthus and of planning surgical intervention. We suggest that the comparison of craniofacial dimensions of a patient must be performed with normal standards specific for age as well as sex and race.