To evaluate the effects of previous unsuccessful extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment on the performance and outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Of 1625 PCNL procedures performed in our clinic, 393 renal units with similar stone burden and number of accesses was included in the present study. We categorised the study patients into two groups according to whether they underwent ESWL within 1 year prior to PCNL or not. Accordingly, Group 1 comprised 143 (36.3%) ESWL-treated patients and Group 2 comprised 250 (63.7%) non-ESWL-treated patients. Residual stones were detected in 36 (25.1%) of the ESWL-treated patients (Group 1) and in 60 (24%) of non-ESWL-treated patients (Group 2). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for length of hospital stay (LOS), nephrostomy tube removal time, and the presence of residual stones. When we evaluated the groups for both the preoperative and postoperative haemoglobin (Hb) drop and blood transfusion rate, manifest Hb declines and more transfusions were required in the ESWL-treated patients (both P = 0.01). In our study, previous ESWL treatment had no influence on the PCNL stone-free rate, operation time, incidence of postoperative complications, and LOS, in patients with similar stone burdens. However, bleeding during PCNL was more prevalent in the ESWL-treated patients, so close attention should be paid to bleeding in patients who have been pretreated with ESWL.

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is considered the best treatment for the management of localized prostate cancer in patients with life expectancy over 10 years. However, a complete recovery is not guaranteed for all patients who received/underwent RP treatment. Biochemical recurrence is frequently observed during the post-operative follow-up period. The main objective in this study is to evaluate the predictive factors of biochemical recurrence in localized prostate cancer patients who underwent RP surgery. The study included 352 patients with prostate cancer treated by RP at a single institution between February 2004 and June 2014. Detailed pathological and follow-up data of all patients were obtained and analyzed to determine the results. Mean follow-up duration was 39.7 months. 83 patients (23%) experienced biochemical recurrence (BCR) during the follow-up period. Mean BCR duration range was 6.56 (1-41) months. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Gleason score (GS), PSA and extra-capsular tumour spread (ECS) variables were found to be statistically significant as BCR predictive factors. According to our study results, it is thought that PSA, GS and ECS can all be used for guidance in choosing a treatment modality for post-RP biochemical recurrence and metastatic disease as predictive factors. However, there is no consensus in this matter and it is still debated.

Bu çalışma, kırsal ve kentsel yerleşim alanında yaşayan ortaokul 8. sınıf öğrencilerinin zihninde göç olgusunun nasıl bir yer edindiğini analiz etmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu kapsamda çalışma, öğrencilerin hem sosyal bilgiler dersi kapsamında işlediği, hem de günlük yaşantılarında hakkında sıkça bilgi edindikleri göç olgusu ile ilgili algılarını irdeleyip eğitimcilere veri sağlama amacı da taşımaktadır. Bu çalışmada öğrencilerden “Göç…gibidir; çünkü…” cümlesini tamamlayan bir metin yazmaları istenmiş, bu yolla öğrencilerin göç olgusunu hangi metaforlar üzerinden anlamlandırdığı tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Çalışmada yöntem olarak nitel araştırma desenlerinden biri olan olgubilim (fenomenoloji) kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın evrenini Ordu’nun Ünye ilçesinde kırsal ve kentsel yerleşim alanında bulunan ortaokullardaki 8.sınıf öğrencileri oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada öğrencilerin göç olgusunu nasıl anlamlandırdıkları, bu anlamları hangi metaforlar aracılığı ile betimledikleri ve oluşturdukları metaforların hangi kategorilerden oluştuğu araştırılmıştır. Neticede göç olgusunun, öğrenciler tarafından yeni bir hayatın başlangıcı olmaktan, sahip olunan her şeyin yitirilmesine kadar uzanan geniş bir perspektifte algılandığı görülmüştür. Öğrencilerin bu algılarını ifade ederken, geniş hayal dünyalarının yansıması olan çeşitli metaforları kullandıkları tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca göç olgusuna yüklenen olumlu ve olumsuz anlam bakımından kırsal ve kentsel yerleşim alanındaki öğrenciler açısından belli oranda farklılaşma olduğu tespit edilmiştir.

Background: Various effects of Astaxanthin was shown in the studies including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immunregulator effects. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of Astaxanthin on renovascular occlusion induced renal injury and to investigate the possible mechanisms. Methods: The rats were randomly assigned into three groups as follows: Group 1: control group (n=12), Group 2: renal ischemiareperfusion injury group (n=12), Group 3: renal ischemia-reperfusion + asthaxantine treated group (n=12). The control group and the renal ischemia-reperfusion group were given 2cc/kg/g olive oil for 7 days before establishing ischemia to renal tissue. Astaxanthin dissolved in olive oil was given orally to the renal ischemia+astaxanthin group for 7 days before inducing renal ischemia. Caspase-(3, 8, 9), GSH, SOD, Total Thiol, TNF-α, IL-6, 8-OHdG were performed for each group. Results: Renal IRI was verified by analysing the pathological changes of renal tissues and the renal functions after renal reperfusion. Much less renal tubular damage was determined the IRI+ASX group in comparison to the IRI group. Caspase-8, -9 and -3 immunoreactivity was observed to be minimal in the control group. Apoptosis was observed to be significantly reduced in the IRI + ASX group with respect to IRI group and close to the level of the control group (p <0.05). Caspase-3 levels of tissue samples were significantly increased in IRI group compared to other groups, but significantly lower in IRI+ASX group with respect to the IRI group (p<0.05). The TOS and OSI levels, indicating increased oxidative stress, were significantly lower in the IRI+ASX group with respect to the IRI group (p <0.001), but still higher than the control group (p <0.001). In addition to GSH, SOD and Total Thiol levels, TAS levels were also significantly higher in IRI + ASX group in comparison to the IRI group (p <0.05). TNF-α, IL-6, lipid hydroperoxide, AOPP and 8-OHdG levels were lower in the IRI+ASX group than the IRI group (p <0.001). MPO, IL-6, TNF-α levels, representing the parameters indicating neutrophil infiltration and inflammation of the renal tissues, significantly increased in IRI group with respect to the other groups (p <0.005). Conclusion: When all the data obtained in our study were evaluated, ASX was determined to prevent renal damage due to renovascular occlusion to a great extent, through complex mechanisms involving antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapopitotic effects. Biochemical, histological and oxidative stress parameters were improved due to ASX.