We read with great interest the article entitled ''Electron Microscopic Examination of Effects of Bogma Raki and Walnut on Cochlea: An Experimental Study'' by Cevik et al. presenting a 4-week bogma raki, walnut, and bogma raki þ walnut consumption effects on cochlea of Wistar male albino rats by electron microscopy. 1 As the authors mention, the relationship between acute or chronic alcohol consumption and hearing remains unclear. In their study, they utilized bogma raki samples produced by homemade traditional methods, in Turkey. 1 Cevik et al. analyzed samples of bogma raki given to the rats by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and the content of bogma raki was presented as shown in Table 1. 1 Trans-anethole (1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl) benzene) is the principal aromatic molecule originated from anise in raki and also used for flavor in many alcoholic drinks such as Middle Eastern arak, Colombian aguardiente, French spirits absinthe, anisette and pastis, Greek ouzo, Bulgarian and Macedonian mastika, German Jägermeister, Italian sambuca, Dutch brokmöpke, Portuguese, Peruvian, and Spanish anísado, Herbs de Majorca, and Mexican xtabentún. 2 According to the Turkish Food Codex, the minimum limit for trans-anethole in raki is 800 mg/L. 3 Many papers present trans-anethole concentrations found in Turkish raki and bogma raki samples with measurement as ''weight of trans-anethole''/''volume of beverage''. Gueven examines 14 nationally certified brands of raki available in the local markets and stated that trans-anethole levels ranged between 747 mg/L and 1547 mg/L. 4 Trans-anethole levels in bogma raki samples were investigated in a MSc thesis by Bulur, which revealed trans-anethole concentrations ranging between 441.46 mg/L and 2098.10 mg/L in 12 samples. 5 Trans-anethole concentration detected in the study by Cevik et al. is abnormally high, according to our experience. Additionally, in a lately conducted, unpublished, study by our team, trans-anethole level was 1.93% (v/v), in local bogma raki sample. In this context, we did a calculation in order to find out the concentration of trans-anethole in bogma raki sample utilized by Cevik et al. Trans-anethole density is 0.988 g/mL at 25 C. Considering 10.94%v/v volume of trans-antehole in the sample, the concentration of trans-anthole in Cevik et al.'s sample is 108,087 mg/L, which is theoretically impossible compared to the related literature. 4,5 Although the data regarding to trans-anethole toxicity is insufficient, oral median lethal dose values for trans-anethole were reported to be 1.8-5.0 g/kg in mice; 2.1-3.2 g/kg in rats. Additionally, literature reveals that doses of equal or higher than 120 mg/kg/day cause severe weight loss and dehydration. 2 Considering high trans-anethole concentrations found in calculation above, in the study by Cevik et al., rats given bogma raki regimen should have present

Hipotermi nedenli ölümler günümüz koşullarında halen postmortem tanısını koymakta zorluk çekilen vakalar arasında yer almaktadır. Kesin tanı koydurucu bulgu ve belirteçlerin olmaması nedeniyle hipotermi kaynaklı ölüm vakalarında ya tanı konulamamaktadır ya da dışlama tanısı konulmaktadır. Diğer yandan adli bilimlerde meydana gelmekte olan gelişmelere bakıldığında; literatürde fatal hipotermi tanısını kolaylaştırmada umut veren birçok anlamlı belirteç ve yöntem sunulduğu görülmektedir. Bu yazıda, fatal hipotermi tanısını akla getiren ve/veya tanı koydurabilecek bulgu ve belirteçler literatür ışığında tartışılması ve adli tıp profesyonellerinin dikkatlerinin çekilmesi amaçlanmıştır.Anahtar Kelimeler: Hipotermi, ölüm, otopsi, adli tıp

Background/aim: Pathophysiological changes due to Alzheimer disease and increasing age might result in situations requiring forensic evaluation in the elderly. Judicial bodies might need forensic evaluation of trauma and the decision-making capacity of Alzheimer patients. This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of Alzheimer patients seen for forensic evaluation.Materials and methods: Forensic records issued by the Department of Forensic Medicine of Hacettepe University in 2012 and 2013 were investigated. Patients with Alzheimer disease were included in the study and were analyzed in terms of age, sex, reason for application, comorbid medical conditions, occupation, and place and status of living.Results: There were 30 Alzheimer patients examined in the study period. Of these, 17 (56.6%) were male and 13 (43.3%) were female. The patients' ages ranged between 51 and 90 years, and the mean age was 78.7 years. The majority of cases (25, 83.3%) were transferred for evaluation of decision-making capacity, while only 5 (17.7%) were referred to our department for forensic reporting of bodily damage. Conclusion:Forensic reporting of bodily damage in Alzheimer patients is similar to common injury cases. However, in conditions requiring evaluation of decision-making capacity in Alzheimer patients, all records should be carefully examined and a complete neuropsychiatric evaluation should be performed.

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Background: Traditional beverages such as şalgam, boza, kımız and kefir are frequently being consumed in Turkey. During the production of these beverages fermentation provides long time bio-preservation due to protective effects of ethanol, a product of microorganisms' metabolism. Especially in traffic controls and in rehabilitation process of alcoholic patients, fermented beverages may cause confusion since it may be linked with false positivity of ethanol and ethanol metabolite tests. The present study aims to assess blood ethanol and urine ethanol metabolite levels after consumption of traditional fermented beverages. Method: Twelve participants consumed 300 mL standardized homemade traditional şalgam, boza, kımız and kefir. Blood samples were collected before and after (at 45 th min) consumption and urine samples were collected before and after (at 4 th hour) consumption from the participants. The samples of these four beverages and the blood samples were analyzed using headspace gas chromatography for ethanol levels, and urine samples were analyzed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for ethyl-glucuronide and ethyl-sulphate levels. Results: Ethanol levels in şalgam, boza, kımız, and kefir samples, used at the present study, were 80.02 mg/dl, 30.02 mg/ dl, 57.83 mg/dl and 6.07 mg/dl, respectively. After consumption of beverages, blood ethanol levels were negative for all analyzed samples. No statistically significant correlation was found between initial and post-consumption ethyl-glucuronide and ethyl-sulphate levels.