A randomized-controlled, double-blind comparison of the postoperative analgesic efficacy of caudal bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in minor pediatric surgery

Ahmet Sen,Mehmet Salih Colak,Engin Erturk,Yakup Tomak 대한마취통증의학회 2014 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.66 No.6

Background: We compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of caudal levobupivacaine with bupivacaine in pediatric subumbilical surgery. Methods: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients scheduled for elective minor surgery (1.5-7 years old) were randomly divided into three groups to receive caudal injections of study drugs at 0.5 ml/kg. All patients received 0.1 mg/kg oral midazolam 30 min before surgery. Group B received 0.125% bupivacaine, group L received 0.125% levobupivacaine, and group LF received 0.125% levobupivacaine + 0.5 μg/kg fentanyl. Blood pressure, heart rate and sedation (using a four-scale sedation score) were monitored perioperatively. During the postoperative period, an anesthesiologist blinded to the study groups used the Children’s and Infants’ Postoperative Pain Scale to monitor patients’ pain and degree of sedation. The time before the first rescue analgesic was recorded as well as any side effects over the next 24 h. Results: The four-scale sedation and postoperative pain scale scores in all groups were identical. Blood pressure and heart rate measured at 15 min postoperatively were lower, and time to first rescue analgesic was longer, in Group LF compared to the others. Conclusions: Caudal 0.5 ml/kg of 0.125% bupivacaine and levobupivacaine are equally effective for postoperative analgesia after subumbilical surgeries in pediatric patients. Addition of fentanyl may lower the required amount of local anesthetics.

Prevention of Occupational Diseases in Turkey: Deriving Lessons From Journey of Surveillance

Sen, Seyhan,Barlas, GulSen,YakiStiran, Selcuk,Derin, ilknur G.,Serifi, Berna A.,Ozlu, Ahmet,Braeckman, lutgart,laan, Gert van der,Dijk, Frank van Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2019 Safety and health at work Vol.10 No.4

Introduction: To prevent and manage the societal and economic burden of occupational diseases (ODs), countries should develop strong prevention policies, health surveillance and registry systems. This study aims to contribute to the improvement of OD surveillance at national level as well as to identify priority actions in Turkey. Methods: The history and current status of occupational health studies were considered from the perspective of OD surveillance. Interpretative research was done through literature review on occupational health at national, regional and international level. Analyses were focused on countries' experiences in policy development and practice, roles and responsibilities of institutions, multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. OD surveillance models of Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands were examined through exchange visits. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the peculiarities of legislative and institutional structures, the best and worst practices, and approach principles. Results: Some countries are more focused on exploring OD trends through effective and cost-efficient researches, with particular attention to new and emerging ODs. Other countries try to reach every single case of OD for compensation and rehabilitation. Each practice has advantages and shortcomings, but they are not mutually exclusive, and thus an effective combination is possible. Conclusion: Effective surveillance and registry approaches play a key role in the prevention of ODs. A well-designed system enables monitoring and assessment of OD prevalence and trends, and adoption of preventive measures while improving the effectiveness of redressing and compensation. A robust surveillance does not only provide protection of workers' health but also advances prevention of economic losses.

Prostate Biopsy in the Elderly: Histologic Findings and Treatment Necessity

Akman, Ramazan Yavuz,Koseoglu, Hikmet,Oguzulgen, Ahmet Ibrahim,Sen, Erhan,Yaycioglu, Ozgur Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

The aim of this study is to determine results of high prostate specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal digital rectal examination driven prostate biopsies performed in our Department in men aged 75 or more and to show the characteristics of pathology results. The hospital records of the patients who had high PSA or abnormal digital rectal examination driven prostate biopsy in two common university based research hospitals have been reviewed retrospectively. Patients aged 75 years or older at the date of biopsy whose records provided pathology results and full medical history were evaluated for the study. A total of 103 patients were evaluated with a mean age of $79.4{\pm}3.4years$. More than half of the patients (55.1%) were in their seventh decade and the rest were in the eighth decade. Median PSA value was 15.0 (range 2.1-4500) ng/ml. In most of the biopsies (67%), PSA levels were lower than 20 ng/ml. In almost half of the patients (48%), digital rectal examination was abnormal. In 68.9% of the patients, there were at least one or more associated co-morbid diseases. Gleason scores were 7 or higher in 73%, and 8 or higher in 37% of the patients with prostate cancer. Four of the 70 (6%) patients had bone metastases. Castrations were applied to most of the patients with prostate adenocarcinoma (%79). High percentage of high grade (Gleason 7 or more) prostate adenocarcinoma in the elderly refutes the perception of prostate cancer in this age group as clinically insignificant. Therefore, it is to be kept in mind that prostate cancer in the elderly an be clinically significant and prostate biopsies are to be performed when necessary.

Role of PET/CT in Treatment Planning for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Definitive Radiotherapy

Arslan, Sonay,Abakay, Candan Demiroz,Sen, Feyza,Altay, Ali,Akpinar, Tayyar,Ekinci, Ahmet Siyar,Esbah, Onur,Uslu, Nuri,Kekilli, Kezban Esra,Ozkan, Lutfi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefits of 18F-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FGD-PET/CT) imaging for staging and radiotherapy planning in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven head and neck cancer patients who had undergone definitive radiotherapy and PET/CT at the Uludag University Medical Faculty Department of Radiation Oncology were investigated in order to determine the role of PET/CT in staging and radiotherapy planning. Results: The median age of this patient group of 32 males and 5 females was 57 years (13-84years). The stage remained the same in 18 cases, decreased in 5 cases and increased in 14 cases with PET/CT imaging. Total gross tumor volume (GTV) determined by CT (GTVCT-Total) was increased in 32 cases (86.5%) when compared to total GTV determined by PET/CT (GTVPET/CT-Total). The GTV of the primary tumor determined by PET/CT (GTVPET/CT) was larger in 3 cases and smaller in 34 cases compared to that determined by CT (GTVCT). The GTV of lymph nodes determined by PET/CT (GTVLNPET/CT) was larger in 20 cases (54%) and smaller in 12 cases (32.5%) when compared to GTV values determined by CT (GTVLNCT). No pathological lymph nodes were observed in the remaining five cases with both CT and PET/CT. Conclusions: We can conclude that PET/CT can significantly affect both pretreatment staging and assessed target tumor volume in patients with head and neck cancer. We therefore recommend examining such cases with PEC/CT before treatment.

The fuzzy logic-based modeling of a micro-scale sloped solar chimney power plant

Muhammed Huseyin Guzel,Recep Emre Unal,Ahmet Onder,Muhammed Arif Sen,Faruk Kose 대한기계학회 2021 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.35 No.3

The energy demand of world is increasing worldwide because of increasing population and developing technology. The use of environmentally friendly renewable resources is very important in providing the increasing energy needs. In the renewable energy sources, the solar energy has a strategic importance because of its huge potential and unlimited. The production of electrical energy by solar chimney power plants is one of the reliable and profitable methods. Fuzzy logic-based approaches are commonly used for modeling different systems in many fields. Also, a renewable energy system can be modelled by fuzzy definitions. In this way, it can provide efficiently and quickly theoretical estimates of systems with productive simulations. In this study, using the experimental data obtained from the micro-scale sloped solar chimney power plant in carried on scientific research project by authors, the obtaining and verifying a fuzzy logic-based model (FLBM) that can calculate the change in air velocity at turbine according to the change of radiation and temperature is presented. The air velocity at the turbine inlet is the considerable variable determining the electricity generation in a solar chimney. Thus, the output of the model is determined as this air velocity. In changes in the radiation and temperature values are defined as inputs. A two input-one output fuzzy model is obtained, in which the inference method is designed in the form of Mamdani and the membership functions in the form of the triangle, making inferences according to the rule base determined by the experience achieved from the experimentally studies. In order to investigate the accuracy of the FLBM, the simulation results and the data get from experimental setup in April 2019 are compared and evaluated. The validation of the FLBM compared to the experimental system is investigated using different error evaluation criteria. It is proved that the results of FLBM and experimental data are realized at a high rate (95.95 %) close to each other and similarly.

Pretreatment Serum Albumin Level is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Patients with Stage IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Study of the Turkish Descriptive Oncological Researches Group

Tanriverdi, Ozgur,Avci, Nilufer,Oktay, Esin,Kalemci, Serdar,Pilanci, Kezban Nur,Cokmert, Suna,Menekse, Serkan,Kocar, Muharrem,Sen, Cenk Ahmet,Akman, Tulay,Ordu, Cetin,Goksel, Gamze,Meydan, Nezih,Barut Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.14

Background: Several prognostic factors have been studied in NSCLC, although it is unknown which is most useful. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether pre-treatment serum albumin level has prognostic value in patients with Stage IIIB NSCLC. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 204 patients with Stage IIIB NSCLC who met the inclusion criteria. Pre-treatment serum albumin levels and demographic, clinical, and histological characteristics, as well as laboratory variables were recorded. A cut-off value was defined for serum albumin level and the patients were stratified into four groups on thios basis. Results: The majority of the patients was males and smokers, with a history of weight loss, and squamous histological type of lung cancer. The mean serum albumin level was $3.2{\pm}1.7g/dL$ (range, 2.11-4.36 g/dL). A cut-off value 3.11 g/dL was set and among the patients with a lower level, 68% had adenocarcinoma and 82% were smokers. The patients with low serum albumin levels had a lower response rate to e first-line chemotherapy with a shorter progression-free survival and overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that low serum albumin level was an independent poor prognostic factor for NSCLC. Conclusions: This study results suggest that low serum albumin level is an independent poor prognostic factor in patients with Stage IIIB NSCLC, associated with reduction in the response rate to first-line therapy and survival rates.

Central Sagittal Angle of the Sacrum as a New Risk Factor for Patients with Persistent Low Back Pain after Caesarean Section

Hizir Kazdal,Ayhan Kanat,Osman Ersagun Batcik,Bulent Ozdemir,Senol Senturk,Murat Yildirim,Leyla Kazancioglu,Ahmet Sen,Sule Batcik,Mehmet Sabri Balik 대한척추외과학회 2017 Asian Spine Journal Vol.11 No.5

Study Design: Retrospective. Purpose: This study investigated the possible association of persistent low back pain (LBP) with caesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia. Overview of Literature: Many women suffer from LBP after CS, which is commonly performed under spinal anesthesia. However, this type of LBP is poorly understood, and there is poor consensus regarding increased risk after spinal anesthesia. Methods: We examined two groups of patients who underwent cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Group I included patients who presented to a neurosurgical clinic complaining of LBP for at least 6 months. Group II was a control group with patients without LBP. We analyzed clinical and sagittal angle parameters, including age, body mass index, parity, central sagittal angle of the sacrum (CSAS), and sacral slope (SS). Results: Fifty-three patients participated in this study: 23 (43.1%) in Group I and 30 (56.9%) in Group II. Non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-tests showed that age, parity, and CSAS significantly differed between the two groups at 6 months. Conclusions: Age, parity, and CSAS appear to be associated with increased risk for LBP after CS under spinal anesthesia. Future prospective studies on this subject may help validate our results.