Glutathione s-transferase m1 and t1 gene polymorphisms are not associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus development.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) gene polymorphisms contributed to development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty women with diagnosis of GDM and 50 control individuals without GDM or altered glucose intolerance during their pregnancy were enrolled in the study. Multiplex polimerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied to determine the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms. Genotypes were determined according to bands detected with the agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The difference in the frequencies of GSTM1 null genotypes between GDM and control groups was not statistically significant (60% and 54%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between GDM and control groups with respect to GSTT1 null genotype rates (22% and 20%, respectively).There was no statistically significant difference between GDM and control groups with respect to GSTT1 null genotype rates (22% and 20%, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study shows no association between GST gene polymorphisms and GDM.

The effect of being overweight on survival in patients with gastric cancer undergoing adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of being overweight on survival in patients with gastric cancer undergoing adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy. In this study 152 patients were evaluated. Radiotherapy dose was 45 Gy given in 5 weeks. 5-FU 425 mg/m(2) and folinic acid 20 mg/m(2) were administered weekly during the radiotherapy and four cycles with 4-week intervals as consolidation chemotherapy after radiotherapy. Patients were assigned into two groups according to their body mass index: overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2)) and normal weight (body mass index <25.0 kg/m(2)). The median overall survival was 39 months vs. 18 months and median disease-free survival was 27 months vs. 13 months in the overweight and normal-weight groups respectively (P = 0.004 and P = 0.006 respectively). The 5-year survival was better in the patients with overweight than those with normal weight (42% vs. 17%; P = 0.004). The overall survival was significantly better with being overweight and early pathological stage (P = 0.016 and P = 0001 respectively). Overall survival, disease-free survival and long-term survival in patients with gastric cancer undergoing adjuvant treatment were better in overweight than normal-weight patients. Moreover, it was shown that body mass index and pathological stage were associated to survival and prognosis.

Can anterolateral thigh flap be a rescuer in lower extremity injuries?

OBJECTIVE: The lower extremity contains a variety of functional structures therefore re-establishing soft tissue coverage in large-scale injuries is a challenging procedure. Microsurgery has made progress in reducing donor morbidity and achieving a functional and aesthetic appearance in recent years. This study aimed to apply anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap to tissue defects in the lower extremity and to discuss the results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients who were admitted to our hospital with lower extremity trauma and underwent ALT flap surgery due to soft tissue defect between November 2020 and March 2022 were included in the study. Patients' demographic data, the applied surgical procedure, the development of postoperative complications, and postoperative functional results were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included in this research. The mean age of the patients was 36.56±14.67 (10-61). Of these patients, 3 were female (13%), and 20 were male (87%). The most common etiology was traffic accident (n=8, 34%), followed by gunshot injuries (n=5, 21%), electrical burn (n=4, 17%), open fractures (n=2, 7%), infection (n=2, 7%), diabetic foot (n=1, 4%), skin tumor (n=1, 4%). Flaps were raised from the contralateral extremity in twelve patients (52%) and on the ipsilateral extremity in eleven patients (48%). The average time from first trauma to free flap surgery was 10.7±5 days (4-22). The average postoperative hospitalization was 13.6 days (9-23 days). The average follow-up time of patients was 8 months (3-13 months). The donor site is closed with primary saturation in 19 patients (82%) and closed with split-thickness skin grafting in 4 patients (18%). Our overall success rate was 96%. We had only one total flap failure out of twenty-three patients (4%). CONCLUSIONS: ALT-free flap is an excellent choice for reconstructing lower extremity complex defects. For experienced surgeons, the ALT flap can be used successfully in the treatment of soft tissue defects of variable size in the lower extremity.

The effect of moderate altitude on some respiratory parameters of physical education and sports' students.

OBJECTIVES: Analysis of the effects of moderate altitude on some respiratory functions of students enrolled in School of Physical Education and Sports. METHODS: The study group comprised of 9 female and 10 male volunteers who were attending a 5-day skiing training camp. All participants were enrolled in School of Physical Education and Sports at Gazi University. The male students had an age range of 22.2 +/- 1.7 years, height of 175.0 +/- 4.3 cm, and body weight of 71.0 +/- 10.4 kg; the female students had an age range of 21.2 +/- 1.7 years, height of 167.1 +/- 4.9 cm, and body weight of 53.7 +/- 4.8 kg. Respiratory tests were performed on the 1st and 5th days (the first and second measurements) at an altitude of 1880 m (in Ilgaz Mountain); 10 days after being exposed to high altitude, further tests were performed at an altitude of 856 m (in Ankara) (the third measurement). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 10.0). Intragroup differences were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). According to the results of normality test results, an independent-sample t test was used in comparisons between the groups. A significance level of p < .05 was used in analysis. RESULTS: Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference between the intragroup comparisons of female and male students. Intergroup comparisons showed significant differences in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), and VC parameters (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that moderate altitude does not have any effect on some respiratory parameters after 5 days of skiing camp.

Anatomy of the thoracic splanchnic nerves in pigs.

The anatomical features of the autonomous nerves, including the greater, lesser and least splanchnic nerves, were examined in 4 female and 4 male adult pigs (Sus scrofa). The origin and course of these nerves were examined with regard to sex and the side of the body. The greater splanchnic nerve was present in all of the animals included in the study, whereas the lesser splanchnic nerve was present at a rate of 87.5% on the right side and 75% on the left side of the median plane. On the other hand, the least splanchnic nerve was present on the right side at a rate of 62.5% and on the left side at a rate of 37.5%. The greater, lesser and least splanchnic nerves on the right side of the median plane were determined to originate from a more cranial location. Furthermore, these nerves were observed to be longer and larger on the right side in comparison with the left side. Evaluation of the findings revealed no significant difference between both sides of the median plane with regard to the origin, course and dimensions of these nerves. Similarly, no significant difference was detected between sexes.

Effect of radiotherapy on psychiatric disorder in patients with head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy (RT) on psychiatric disorder in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study included 51 patients with head and neck cancer. The diagnosis of psychiatric disorder was made by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition criteria. Severity of psychopathology was assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). RESULTS: Although HAM-D score increased after RT (from 4 [0-26] to 7 [0-24]), this increase was not significant (P = 0.108). Fourteen (27.5%) of 51 patients had a psychiatric disorder before RT treatment; adjustment disorder in 6, depression in 4, sleep disorder in 3, anxiety disorder in 1 patient. On the other hand, 16 (31.4%) of 51 patients had a psychiatric disorder after RT treatment; adjustment disorder in 6, depression in 5, sleep disorder in 4, anxiety disorder in 1 patient. There was no significant difference between two periods in terms of the prevalence of psychiatric disorder (P = 0.721). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of psychiatric disorder was high in patients with head and neck cancer even before RT. Similarly, its high rate continued after RT. However, there is no significant effect of RT on development of psychiatric disorder.