Foreign-Born Public Relations Faculty Members' Relationship with their Universities as a Soft Power Resource in U.S. Public Diplomacy

Ertem-Eray, Tugce,Ki, Eyun-Jung The Korean Association for Public Diplomacy 2022 Journal of public diplomacy Vol.2 No.1

With globalization and new communication technologies, governments aim to cultivate relationships with their foreign publics. This goal represents the convergence of the public relations and public diplomacy domains. In this regard, this study aims to explore how foreign-born faculty members' attitudes and behaviors toward the U.S. are shaped by their relationships with their universities. Findings confirm a significant link between foreign-born faculty members' perceived relationships with their universities and their attitudes and behavioral intentions toward the U.S. The authors conclude that a positive relationship between universities and foreign faculty members can serve as a soft power resource in U.S. public diplomacy. This study contributes to governments' public diplomacy efforts by analyzing the roles of the foreign-born faculty members as strategic communication channels in cultivating relationships between a host country and their homelands.

Application of Advancement Flap After Loose Seton Placement: A Modified Two-Stage Surgical Repair of a Transsphincteric Anal Fistula

Metin Ertem,Hakan Gok,Emel Ozveri,Volkan Ozben 대한대장항문학회 2014 Annals of Coloproctolgy Vol.30 No.4

Purpose: A number of techniques have been described for the treatment of a transsphincteric anal fistula. In this report, we aimed to introduce a relatively new two-stage technique, application of advancement flap after loose seton placement, to present its technical aspects and to document our results. Methods: Included in this retrospective study were 13 patients (10 males, 3 females) with a mean age of 42 years who underwent a two-stage seton and advancement flap surgery for transsphincteric anal fistula between June 2008 and June 2013. In the first stage, a loose seton was placed in the fistula tract, and in the second stage, which was performed three months later, the internal and external orifices were closed with advancement flaps. Results: All the patients were discharged on the first postoperative day. The mean follow-up period was 34 months. Only one patient reported anal rigidity and intermittent pain, which was eventually resolved with conservative measures. The mean postoperative Wexner incontinence score was 1. No recurrence or complications were observed, and no further surgical intervention was required during follow-up. Conclusion: The two-stage seton and advancement flap technique is very efficient and seems to be a good alternative for the treatment of a transsphincteric anal fistula.

Case Report : Stapled Mucosectomy: An Alternative Technique for the Removal of Retained Rectal Mucosa after Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis

( Metin Ertem ),( Volkan Ozben ) 대한간학회 2011 Gut and Liver Vol.5 No.4

Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC), when performed with a stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), allows the retention of the rectal mucosa above the dentate line and can result in disease persistence or recurrence, as well as neoplastic lesions in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We report the case of a patient with chronic UC who underwent staple mucosectomy, which is an alternative technique that evolved from stapled hemorrhoidopexy, rather than more traditional procedures. The patient had undergone laparoscopic RPC with a stapled IPAA 2 cm above the dentate line and a temporary loop ileostomy. Because the histopathology showed low-grade dysplasia in the proximal rectum, stapled mucosectomy with a 33-mm circular stapler kit at the time of ileostomy closure was scheduled. Following the application of a purse-string suture 1 cm above the dentate line, the stapler was inserted with its anvil beyond the purse-string and was fi red. The excised rectal tissue was checked to ensure that it was a complete cylindrical doughnut. Histopathology of the excised tissue showed chronic inflammation. There were no complications during a follow-up period of 5 months. Because it preserves the normal rectal mucosal architecture and avoids a complex mucosectomy surgery, stapled mucosectomy seems to be a technically feasible and clinically acceptable alternative to the removal of rectal mucosa retained after RPC. (Gut Liver 2011;5:539-542)

Comparison of the Practical and Theoretical Knowledge of the Hepatitis B Virus among Dental Hygiene Students

( Sinan Yasin Ertem ),( Sertac Ozdogan ),( Ayla Ozturk ),( Ozge Akcam ) 한국치위생과학회 2020 치위생과학회지 Vol.20 No.3

Background: Hepatitis B is an important public health problem as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the theoretical and practical knowledge levels of dental assistant students about Hepatitis B Virus. Methods: The 1st and 2nd grade students of the Oral and Dental Health program were invited to participate in the survey. Out of the 68 invited students, 61 completed the questionnaire. The average ages of the male and female students surveyed were 20.27±1.45 and 19.56±1.16, respectively. A total of 34 questions were asked, of which 15 measured basic theoretical knowledge and 19 assessed basic practical knowledge. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the students’ knowledge for each question according to their sex and grade. When the questionnaire was grouped into basic theoretical and basic practical knowledge levels, both were observed to be high. While the lowest correct answer rate was 35.00% for the questions about practical applications, it was 31.14% for the questions measuring the level of theoretical knowledge. There was no statistically significant difference when the levels of knowledge of 1st and 2nd grade students were compared. Students answered the majority of the questions correctly, and ranged between 71% and 100%. Conclusion: Students’ high level of basic theoretical knowledge can be a result of their in-class education on the fundamentals. However, their knowledge about the correct approaches in practical applications indicates the beneficial role of having well-defined criteria and prevention protocols that are required in hospitals and the effectiveness of their environmental orientations.

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Left Ventricular Apical Thrombus in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Ahmet Goktug Ertem,Filiz Ozcelik,Haci Ahmet Kasapkara,Cemal Koseoglu,Serdal Bastug,Huseyin Ayhan,Cenk Sari,Nihal Akar Bayram,Emine Bilen,Tahir Durmaz,Telat Keles,Engin Bozkurt 대한심장학회 2016 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.46 No.6

Background and Objectives: In this study, we examined the role of inflammatory parameters in an apical mural thrombus with a reduced ejection fraction due to large anterior myocardial infarction (MI). Subjects and Methods: A total of 103 patients who had suffered from heart failure, 45 of whom had left ventricular apical thrombus (AT) after a large anterior MI, were enrolled in the study. A detailed clinical history was taken of each participant, biochemical inflammatory markers, which were obtained during admission, were analyzed and an echocardiographical and angiographical evaluation of specific parameters were performed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in terms of age, gender, and history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation between both groups (p>0.05). Similarly there were no statistically significant differences in terms of biochemical and echocardiographic parameters (p>0.05). However, there were significant differences in terms of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (p=0.032). After a multivariate regression analysis, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was an independent predictor of thrombus formation (ß: 0.296, p=0.024). The NLR >2.74 had a 78% sensivity and 61% specifity in predicting thrombus in patients with a low left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusion: In this study, neutrophil lymphocyte ratios were significantly higher in patients with apical thrombus.

The Mechanical Effect of Rod Contouring on Rod-Screw System Strength in Spine Fixation

Acar, Nihat,Karakasli, Ahmet,Karaarslan, Ahmet A.,Ozcanhan, Mehmet Hilal,Ertem, Fatih,Erduran, Mehmet The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2016 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.59 No.5

Objective : Rod-screw fixation systems are widely used for spinal instrumentation. Although many biomechanical studies on rod-screw systems have been carried out, but the effects of rod contouring on the construct strength is still not very well defined in the literature. This work examines the mechanical impact of straight, $20^{\circ}$ kyphotic, and $20^{\circ}$ lordotic rod contouring on rod-screw fixation systems, by forming a corpectomy model. Methods : The corpectomy groups were prepared using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene samples. Non-destructive loads were applied during flexion/extension and torsion testing. Spine-loading conditions were simulated by load subjections of 100 N with a velocity of $5mm\;min^{-1}$, to ensure 8.4-Nm moment. For torsional loading, the corpectomy models were subjected to rotational displacement of $0.5^{\circ}\;s^{-1}$ to an end point of $5.0^{\circ}$, in a torsion testing machine. Results : Under both flexion and extension loading conditions the stiffness values for the lordotic rod-screw system were the highest. Under torsional loading conditions, the lordotic rod-screw system exhibited the highest torsional rigidity. Conclusion : We concluded that the lordotic rod-screw system was the most rigid among the systems tested and the risk of rod and screw failure is much higher in the kyphotic rod-screw systems. Further biomechanical studies should be attempted to compare between different rod kyphotic angles to minimize the kyphotic rod failure rate and to offer a more stable and rigid rod-screw construct models for surgical application in the kyphotic vertebrae.

Serum Irisin Level Can Predict the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Stable Angina

Tolga Han Efe,Çağrı Yayla,Burak Açar,Göktuğ Ertem,Kadriye Gayretli Yayla,Engin Algül,Sefa Ünal,Murat Bilgin,Tolga Çimen,Özgür Kirbaş,Ekrem Yeter 대한심장학회 2017 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.47 No.1

Background and Objectives: The recently discovered myokine irisin has a proposed role in adipose tissue metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum irisin level and the coronary artery severity in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Subjects and Methods: Sixty-three patients who underwent coronary angiography (CA) diagnosed with stable CAD and twenty-six patients with normal coronary artery (NCA) were enrolled in the study. Stable CAD patients were divided into two groups as high synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score (≥23) and lower SYNTAX score (<23). Serum irisin level measurement was carried out using human irisin colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) commercial kit (AG-45A-0046EK-KI01, Adipogen, San Diego, CA, USA) as recommended by the manufacturer’s protocol. Results: The patients with stable CAD with a higher SYNTAX score (score ≥23) had significantly lower serum irisin levels (127.91±55.38 ng/mL), as compared the patients with a low SYNTAX score (score <23) (224.69±92.99 ng/mL) and control group (299.54±123.20 ng/mL). Irisin levels showed significant differences between all groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Serum irisin level is an independent predictor of coronary artery severity in patients with stable CAD.

Evaluation of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products, Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance, and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Untreated Vitiligo Patients

( Gulcan Guntas ),( Burhan Engin ),( Ozlem Balc1 Ekmekci ),( Zekayi Kutlubay ),( Hakan Ekmekci ),( Abdullah Songur ),( Tugba Kevser Ustunbas Uzuncakmak ),( Hayriye Ertem Vehid ),( Server Serdaroglu ) 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.2

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic, common disease of unknown etiology, and oxidative stress is suggested to have a role in its etiopathogenesis. Objective: Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were evaluated regarding their role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo as well as their relationship with clinical presentation and disease severity, and these parameters were compared with those of healthy controls. Methods: The study included 53 patients with vitiligo and 20 healthy volunteers as the control group. AOPP level, PAB, and FRAP were determined by colorimetric methods. Results: PAB and FRAP level were significantly higher in patients with vitiligo than in healthy controls (p<0.001). The AOPP levels in vitiligo patients were not statistically significantly higher than those in healthy controls. The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index positively correlated with disease duration (rs: 0.531, p<0.001). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of AOPP and PAB status in vitiligo. PAB may be used as an indicator for oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo. Our results show that these parameters may play a major role in the melanocyte damage observed in vitiligo. Further studies are required to confirm the mechanisms underlying this effect.(Ann Dermatol 27(2) 178∼183, 2015)

Investigation of risk factors for community-acquired urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species

Eda Koksal,Necla Tulek,Meliha Cagla Sonmezer,Fatih Temocin,Cemal Bulut,Cigdem Hatipoglu,Fatma Sebnem Erdinc,Gunay Ertem 대한비뇨의학회 2019 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.60 No.1

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species. Materials and Methods: The patients diagnosed with CA-UTIs caused by E. coli or Klebsiella spp. were included in the study. All of the patients were compared to demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, urinary tract pathology, history of hospitalization, use of antibiotics according to ESBL positivity. Results: A total of 322 urine isolates were studied. Sixty-six patients (37.1%) of a total of 178 patients were ESBL positive E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Being over the age of sixty (odds ratio [OR], 1.90; p=0.03), history of renal stone (OR, 3.00; p=0.03), urinary tract anatomical of physiological disorder (OR, 2.17; p=0.01), urologic intervention (OR, 3.43; p<0.001), history of urinary tract surgery (OR, 3.10; p=0.01), history of urinary catheterization (OR, 3.43; p<0.001), and hospitalization for last 1 year (OR, 3.70; p=0.01) and antibiotic usage in the last 3 months (OR, 1.90; p=0.04) were found as significant risk factors for the producing of ESBL. However, gender and underlying disease were not related for ESBL production. Conclusions: In present study, high rate of ESBL positivity was detected in CA-UTIs. The increasing of infections caused by ESBL positive E. coli and Klebsiella spp. are bringing together a lot of the problem, such as antibiotic resistance and reducing treatment options for outpatients. Identification of underlying risk factors would be important for the development of preventive strategies.

Evaluation of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products, Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance, and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Untreated Vitiligo Patients

( Gulcan Guntas ),( Burhan Engin1 ),( Ozlem Balcı Ekmekci ),( Zekayi Kutlubay ),( Hakan Ekmekci ),( Abdullah Songur ),( Tugba Kevser Ustunbas Uzuncakmak ),( Hayriye Ertem Vehid ),( Server Serdaroglu ) 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.3

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic, common disease of unknown etiology, and oxidative stress is suggested to have a role in its etiopathogenesis. Objective: Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were evaluated regarding their role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo as well as their relationship with clinical presentation and disease severity, and these parameters were compared with those of healthy controls. Methods: The study included 53 patients with vitiligo and 20 healthy volunteers as the control group. AOPP level, PAB, and FRAP were determined by colorimetric methods. Results: PAB and FRAP level were significantly higher in patients with vitiligo than in healthy controls (p<0.001). The AOPP levels in vitiligo patients were not statistically significantly higher than those in healthy controls. The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index positively correlated with disease duration (rs: 0.531, p<0.001). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of AOPP and PAB status in vitiligo. PAB may be used as an indicator for oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo. Our results show that these parameters may play a major role in the melanocyte damage observed in vitiligo. Further studies are required to confirm the mechanisms underlying this effect. (Ann Dermatol 27(2) 178∼183, 2015)