The tetanus vaccine is not routinely given to Turkish adults. Protective tetanus immunity decreases with age. Health-care personnel (HCPs), who are role models in the field of health, are a target group in order to achieve a higher rate of tetanus vaccination in the community. This study was designed to evaluate attitudes and coverage regarding tetanus vaccination among a large sample of Turkish HCPs. This cross-sectional epidemiologic study was conducted from July to August 2019. A questionnaire was sent to HCPs using social media. Of the 10,644 HCPs included in the study, 65% were female. Overall, the tetanus vaccination coverage (TVC) among HCPs was 78.5% (95% CI: 77.7%-79.3%). TVC was significantly higher among physicians [83.4% (95% CI: 82%-84.6%); p < .001] compared with all other HCPs except nurses. Older age (≥40 years) and length of professional experience were significantly correlated with TVC. Of the 8353 HCPs who received tetanus vaccines during their lifetime, 73.03% received tetanus vaccination in the past 10 years. The self-vaccination rate for protection against tetanus was 13.1%. Acute injuries (25.42%) and pregnancy (23.9%) were the most common reasons for having the tetanus vaccine. One-third (33.7%) of HCPs did not have information about whether pregnant women could receive tetanus vaccinations. This survey study provided excellent baseline information about HCPs’ coverage rates and attitudes regarding tetanus vaccination. The present results suggested that tetanus boosters for HCPs should be established as soon as possible, and revealed that the HCPs younger than 30 years with relatively less professional experience and all other HCPs except nurses and physicians should be identified as the target population for future intervention programs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alpha lipoic acid on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) osmolarity and brain tissue water ratio in a rabbit model of traumatic brain injury. Using a previously established model of traumatic brain injury using liquid nitrogen, 36 New Zealand rabbits were randomized into six groups (three treatment groups, a no trauma/no treatment group, a trauma/no treatment group, and a no trauma/treatment group). The treatment groups were administered intravenous alpha lipoic acid at different times of the experiment. Cerebrospinal fluid was obtained 96 hours after injury/treatment via cisterna magna puncture; glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and sodium levels were measured and osmolarity was calculated. Brain tissue water ratio was determined using wet and dry brain weights. The therapeutic effect of alpha lipoic acid was evaluated by comparing cerebrospinal fluid osmolarity and brain tissue water ratio between study groups. Based on cerebrospinal fluid osmolarity values, alpha lipoic acid treatment effectiveness was greatest in the group that received 3 doses after trauma. Alpha lipoic acid is efficacious in the treatment of brain edema after traumatic brain injury.

Objective: Mental imagery involves forming internal sensory representations, while osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage loss. This study explores how mental imagery can modulate pain perception and enhance visual processing in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Forty‐eight participants were randomly assigned to a mental imagery group or a treatment group. The treatment group received conventional physiotherapy interventions, including ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot pack application, and isometric knee exercises, while the mental imagery group mentally imagined the same treatments. Both groups underwent interventions for 10 days, with assessments before and after. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), and visual processing was assessed through the digital pareidolia test. Results: Both groups exhibited significant reductions in VAS scores, with the mental imagery group demonstrating a more substantial decrease. Notably, the mental imagery group had faster reaction times to face pareidolia images, indicating improved visual processing. In contrast, the treatment group’s reaction times to face pareidolia images remained unchanged. Conclusion: These findings highlight that mental imagery could serve as an alternative approach to pain management and cognitive enhancement, potentially influencing top‐down mechanisms in facial pattern recognition. This highlights the potential for mental imagery to be integrated into therapeutic strategies for pain‐related conditions, promoting personalized, innovative treatments.

Beyin cerrahisinde radyocerrahi yöntemlerini inceleyen bu metin, stereotaktik teknikler kullanılarak lezyonlara tek seferde uygulanan yüksek doz radyasyonun temel prensiplerini ve cihaz çeşitlerini ele almaktadır. Gamma Knife ve Cyberknife gibi sistemlerin çalışma mekanizmaları, avantajları ve dezavantajları karşılaştırmalı olarak sunulurken; vasküler malformasyonlar, benign ve malign tümörler ile fonksiyonel nöroşirürji vakalarındaki klinik kullanım alanları detaylandırılmaktadır. Modern cerrahide minimal invaziv bir alternatif olan bu yöntemlerin, teknik uzmanlık gerektiren planlama süreçleri ve çevre dokuyu koruyan hassas uygulama kabiliyetleri vurgulanmaktadır. This text examines radiosurgery methods in neurosurgery, focusing on the fundamental principles and device types used to deliver high-dose radiation to lesions in a single session using stereotactic techniques. It provides a detailed comparison of the operating mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of systems like Gamma Knife and Cyberknife, while outlining clinical applications for vascular malformations, benign and malignant tumors, and functional neurosurgery. The document emphasizes the role of these methods as minimal invasive alternatives in modern surgery, highlighting the precise application capabilities that protect surrounding tissue and the necessity of expert technical planning.

Aim: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery is the most widely accepted method for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Shunt dysfunction is a common complication with various etiologies. This study aimed to evaluate pediatric patients who underwent surgery due to shunt dysfunction during the pandemic period and were COVID-19 positive in the preoperative period. Material and Methods: The findings of the patients who underwent surgical treatment with a preliminary diagnosis of shunt dysfunction between March 2020 and 2023 were examined in the present study. A retrospective cross-sectional design was adopted. Age, sex, date of COVID-19 positivity, symptoms at presentation, CSF findings, CSF culture, blood tests, and applied treatments of the patients were obtained from patient files and electronic records. Results: Among 13 pediatric patients with VP shunt dysfunction and preoperative COVID-19 positivity, fever (61.5%) and decreased sucking/restlessness (62.5%) were the most frequent symptoms. Two patients had positive CSF cultures. Biochemical abnormalities were observed, including elevated D-dimer and transaminases. Conclusion: COVID-19 may contribute to shunt dysfunction through gastrointestinal and peritoneal involvement, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. Clinicians should maintain high suspicion for shunt malfunction in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and hydrocephalus.