Introduction: Spondylodiscitis (SD) is an uncommon but important infection. The aim of this work was to study the risk factors, bacteriological features, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings of SD, and to shed light on the initial treatment. Methodology: A total of 107 patients who underwent treatment for SD were evaluated. The diagnosis of SD was defined by clinical findings, complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum tube agglutination (STA) test, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, culture, histopathology, and radiological methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. Results: Of the 107 cases, ranging between 17 to 83 years of age, 64 (59.8%) were male. Twenty-seven (25.2%) patients had diabetes mellitus. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated CRP in 70 (65%) patients, elevated ESR in 65 (61%) patients, and elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts in 41 (38.3%) patients. Thirty-six (33.6%) patients were identified as having brucellar SD, and 5 (4.7%) patients were identified as having tuberculous SD. A total of 66 (61.6%) patients were determined to have pyogenic SD. The most frequently isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic therapy was given intravenously to all pyogenic SD patients. Conclusions: The incidence of SD has increased as a result of the higher life expectancy of older patients with chronic debilitating diseases and the increase of spinal surgical procedures. In patients with low back pain, SD should be considered as a diagnosis. For effective treatment, it is important to determine the etiology of the disease.

No abstract

No abstract

PURPOSE:To evaluate the central nervous system toxicity of cisplatin and neuroprotective effect of selenium. METHODS:Twenty-one male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control (C), cisplatin (CS), cisplatin and selenium (CSE, n=7 in each group). Cisplatin (12 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was administered to CS and CSE groups for three days. Furthermore, CSE group received 3mg/kg/day (twice-a-day as 1.5 mg/kg) selenium via oral gavage five days before cisplatin injection and continued for 11 consecutive days. The same volumes of saline were administered to C group intraperitoneally and orally at same time. RESULTS:Heterochromatic and vacuolated neurons and dilated capillary vessels in the brain were observed in the histochemical examinations of cisplatin treated group. Rats that were given a dose of 3mg/kg/day selenium decreased the cisplatin induced histopathological changes in the brain, indicating a protective effect. In addition, cytoplasmic staining of the cell for bcl-2, both cytoplasmic and nuclear staining for bax were determined to be positive in the all groups. Bax positive cells were increased in the CS group compared to C group, in contrast to decreased bcl-2 positivity.CONCLUSION: Selenium limited apototic activity and histological changes due to the cisplatin related central neurotoxicity.

Öz: Bilişsel Davranışçı Terapi (BDT) dünya genelinde olduğu gibi Türkiye'de de yaygın bir biçimde uygulanan ve hakkında araştırmalar yapılan bir terapi yaklaşımıdır. BDT depresyonun tedavisiyle başlayan ve günümüzde uyku bozukluğundan, saldırganlığa kadar birçok psikolojik sorunun tedavisinde uygulanan bir yaklaşımdır. Bu çalışmanın temel amacı; Aaron Temkin Beck tarafından geliştirilen BDT yaklaşımının temel felsefesini incelemek ve film analizi yardımıyla kuramın temel kavramlarına ve uygulamasına örneklendirme oluşturmaktır. Bu çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden doküman incelemesi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada 1997 yapımı en iyi senaryo ödülü dâhil olmak üzere iki dalda Oscar ödülünü kazanmış Can Dostum/Good Will Hunting filmi BDT yaklaşımı açısından incelenmiştir. Filmde saldırgan davranış problemi olan üstün yetenekli ancak okulu bırakmış bir genç olan Will ve terapisti Sean arasındaki ilişki anlatılmaktadır. Filmdeki olaylar ve diyaloglar üzerinden BDT'nin temel kavramları somut bir biçimde örneklendirilmeye çalışılmıştır. Ayrıca filmdeki roller üzerinden terapist danışan ilişkisi de ele alınmıştır. Sonuç bölümünde yapılan bütün analizler alanyazın doğrultusunda tartışılmıştır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Bilişsel Davranışçı Terapi, film analizi, psikolojik yardım arama, saldırganlık, doküman analizi. Abstract:The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), on which many research studies have been carried out, is a widespread method in Turkey as well, as it is around the world. The CBT is an approach used for many psychological disorders from insomnia to aggression besides treatment of depression. The main aim of this study is to examine the philosophical core of the CBT approach developed by Aaron Temkin Beck and form an exemplification for the application and basic concepts of the theory through the film analysis. In the study one of the qualitative research methods document analysis were used. In this research, the movie of "Good Will Hunting" released in 1997 which has won two Oscars including the best screenplay, has been analyzed in terms of the CBT approach. The movie is about the relation between Will who is a highly gifted young but having dropped out of school beside having an aggressive behavioral problem and his therapist Sean. The basic concepts of the CBT have been tried to exemplified corporally through the facts and dialogues in the movie. Furthermore, the therapist -client relation has been examined as well through the roles in the movie. All analyses in the final part have been discussed in line with the literature.

Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate the putative neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on spinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbits. Methods. Thirty-five adult female New Zeland rabbits, weighing 2,000-3,500 g (mean: 2,800), were divided randomly into five groups of seven rabbits each (n: 7) as Group 1: sham, only laparotomy; Group 2 (İ/R): I/R; Group 3 (LA): I/R and 100 mg/kg of LA; Group 4 (MP): I/R and 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone (MP); and Group 5 (LA + MP): I/R and 100 mg/kg of LA plus 30 mg/kg of MP. Results. A statically significant effect of LA, MP, and LA plus MP on lowering malondialdehyde levels both in the blood and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been observed. Nitric oxide is significantly decreased in the blood and spinal cord tissues, and also in the CSF but it is not significant. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels were increased by LA administration. Conclusion. LA exhibits antioxidant efficacy in spinal cord I/R injury, but it cannot decrease the oxidative stress. The histopathological result of the present study also demonstrated that LA has neuroprotective effect in spinal cord injury.

No abstract

The results of this study suggest that LF thickening may occur independently or could be associated with FJD especially on the ipsilateral side and this relationship is due to the vertebral level. The degree of disc degeneration increases with age and age related changes may be predominantly observed at L4-L5 vertebral level.