Surucu Kara, Ilknur; Aydin Peker, Necla; Arslan, Yusuf Kemal; Mertoglu, Cuma

OBJECTIVE: Our aim in the study is to investigate circadian rhythm, season, age, gender, and hemogram parameters in children diagnosed with febrile convulsions. METHODS: The data of a total of 478 children, consisting of 160 patients with febrile convulsions (90 male/70 female) and 318 control groups (healthy, convulsiyon free-febrile), were compared. RESULTS: The average age of all patients was 25.7±14.7 (minimum 6-maximum 60) months, and the most common convulsion age was 13-18 months. Circadian rhythm was similar, application seasons were similar. The male/female ratio was 1.3. MPV in winter was lower than other seasons (p=0.002). At younger ages, lymphocyte count was higher (p=0.048) and NLR was lower (p=0.036). NLR was lower in patients with febrile convulsions with anemia than in patients with febrile convulsions without anemia (p=0.029). NLR was lower in patients with febrile convulsions with anemia than in the convulsion-free febrile control group with anemia (p=0.001). In patients with febrile convulsions, MPV was lower (p=0.033) and NLR was higher (p=0.001) than in the convulsion-free febrile control group. One third of the patients had hypocapnia. CONCLUSION: Young age, anemia, inflammation, and hypocapnia may facilitate the occurrence of febrile convulsions. MPV and NLO, which are hemogram parameters, can guide us about inflammation. Blood gases may provide information regarding hypocapnia. These rapid examinations may help elucidate the etiology. Prospective studies are needed for circadian rhythm in febrile convulsions.

Yildirim, Arzu; Akkus, Mustafa; Asilar, Rabia Hacihasanoglu

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of treatment and management in chronic mental disorders is to improve the quality of life (QOL). Hopelessness indicates a significant cognitive vulnerability that is associated with suicide risk. It is important for clinicians to have information about their patients’ life satisfaction and spirituality. This study was conducted to determine hopelessness and life satisfaction in patients who received service from a community mental health center (CMHC). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with patients diagnosed with psychosis (n=66) and bipolar disorder (n=24) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) criteria, at a community mental health center serving in a hospital located in eastern Turkiye. Data was collected by a psychiatrist between January and May 2019 with face-to-face interviews, using a questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: In the study, it was found that the mean BHS and SWLS scores of the patients did not differ significantly between the diagnosis groups (p>0.05). A moderately negative correlation was found between the patients’ mean BHS and SWLS scores (rs=-0.450, p<0.001). In addition, it was determined that the hopelessness level of the secondary school graduates was low (p<0.05), the mean BHS score increased as the age and time from diagnosis of the patients increased (p<0.001), and there was a low negative correlation between the time from diagnosis and the mean SWLS score (rs:-0.208; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was found that the hopelessness level of the patients was low, their life satisfaction was moderate, and as the hopelessness level increased, their life satisfaction decreased. In addition, it was determined that the hopelessness and life satisfaction levels of the patients did not differ by to the diagnosis groups. It is extremely important for mental health professionals to consider aspects such as hope and life satisfaction, which are key in the recovery of patients.

Mertoglu, Cuma; Siranli, Gulsah; Coban, T. Abdulkadir; Karakurt, Yucel; Ersoy, Alevtina; Ozcicek, Adalet; Arslan, Yusuf; Gok, Gamze; Erel, Ozcan

OBJECTIVE: The role of protein oxidation in the development of diabetic microvascular complications was investigated. METHODS: In total, 266 participants were split into five groups: Group 1; diabetes mellitus for at least 10 years without any complications, Group 2; diabetic nephropathy, Group 3; diabetic neuropathy, Group 4; diabetic retinopathy, and Group 5; control group. Thiol, disulfide, ferroxidase, and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels were analyzed in the serum. RESULTS: Native thiol, total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol were lower in Group 4 than Groups 1, 3, and 5 (p<0.001). However, disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol were higher in Group 4 than all other groups (p<0.001). IMA was higher in Groups 3 and 4 than all other groups (p<0.001). Ferroxidase was lower in Groups 3 and 4 than Group 2 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Thiol-disulfide homeostasis impairment in favor of disulfide may have a function in the progress of diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, the disruptions of IMA and ferroxidase levels involve in the development of diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy.

Karaali, Muge Gore; Aksu, Ayse Esra Koku; Polat, Asude Kara; Gurel, Mehmet Salih

Orf, ecthyma contagiosum, is a zoonotic viral infectious disease caused by parapoxvirus that affects particularly sheep and goats. Human may be infected with direct contact with contagious animals or by handling contaminated animal products. Lesions are localized mostly on the hands and fingers, but atypical localizations such as head or face have been rarely reported. Herein, we report a case of orf disease on the eyebrow with clinical follow-up images. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of this entity based on contact anamnesis with infected animals and clinical appearance.

Gunay, Murat; Mertoglu, Cuma

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the clinical relevance of the levels of serum endocan and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was investigated in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Endocan or the endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 is a soluble proteoglycan secreted by vascular endothelial cells. It plays a significant role in immunity, inflammation, and endothelial function. METHODS: A total of 39 patients with AKI (19 females, 20 males) and 38 healthy individuals (18 females, 20 males) were included in the study. The levels of serum endocan, vitamin D, and other biochemical parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In the AKI group, the values of serum creatinine, endocan, parathormone, phosphorus, and uric acid were found to be higher, and the total protein, albumin, and calcium levels were lower compared to the control group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of the serum vitamin D, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. CONCLUSION: In patients with AKI, an increased endocan level is a significant marker of inflammation and endothelial injury. In addition, these patients experience vitamin D deficiency.