Aims: Although there are plenty of data about the differences in left ventricular tissue Doppler (TD) velocities by preload reduction, only a few studies regarding right ventricular function are found in the literature. We investigated the effect of intravascular volume reduction on right ventricular function by ultrafiltration in dialysis patients. Methods: 27 end-stage renal failure patients who were hypervolemic and undergoing hemodialysis were included in the study. TD studies of the right ventricle were performed before and 1 h after dialysis. These data were compared. Results: The mean age of the patients was 41 ± 15 years and mean volume of ultrafiltration was 3.8 ± 1.8 liters. Systolic, early and late diastolic lateral annular TD velocities before dialysis were 0.109 ± 0.029, 0.088 ± 0.039, 0.111 ± 0.039 m/s, and after dialysis were 0.099 ± 0.028, 0.078 ± 0.036, 0.106 ± 0.037 m/s, respectively (p = 0.216, p = 0.112, p = 0.350). Myocardial early diastolic velocity decreased significantly (p = 0.049) but systolic and late diastolic velocities did not change significantly (p = 0.579, p = 0.146). Conclusion: Right ventricular systolic and diastolic velocities detected by TD were not or only minimally affected by preload reduction in hemodialysis patients and the TD early/late ratio is the most valuable variable that can predict right ventricular diastolic function. The right ventricular systolic and early diastolic TD velocities were positively correlated with left ventricle ejection fraction.

The effect of solution and gel forms of sodium hypochlorite on postoperative pain: a randomized clinical trial Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of using gel and solution forms of NaOCI during the chemomechanical preparation of the root canals on postoperative pain at different time intervals. Methodology: 114 patients with mandibular molar teeth and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were included in the study. All patients were divided into two groups based on the irrigant used during root canal preparation (n=57): Group 1, 5.25% NaOCI, Group 2, 5.25% NaOCI gel. All groups were filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus root canal sealer using single-cone technique. VAS scale (1-10) was used for postoperative pain assessment. After endodontic treatment, all patients were asked to record their postoperative pain levels at the 6th, 24th, 48th, 72nd hours, and 1 week later. The data were analyzed using Chi-Squared, Independent Samples T, Cochran Q and Friedman tests. Results: Statistically significant difference was not found between the distributions of pain levels at different times according to the groups (p>0.050). A statistically significant difference was observed between the distributions of pain levels measured at different times in the solution group (p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between the distributions of pain levels measured at different times in the gel group (p<0.001). In both groups, highest postoperative pain levels occurred in the first 6 hours. Pain levels of the gel group as 38,5% mild, 17.3% moderate, 5.8% severe and pain levels of the solution group were obtained as 46.2% mild, 26.9% moderate, 9.6% severe at the 6th hour. Conclusions: The use of the gel form of NaOCI during the chemomechanical preparation of the root canals showed similar postoperative pain when compared to the solution form.

Albendazole is as effective as metranidazole in adults' giardiasis. Albendazole has less side effect potentials than metranidazole in the treatment of giardiasis.

Background: Thyroid gland dysfunction affects the structure and function of the heart. Tissue Doppler echocardiography is a new technique, and it has been used frequently in the evaluation of ventricular function. In the present study, right ventricular function was assessed in patients with overt or subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and in healthy subjects using the tissue Doppler method, and results were compared. Patients and Methods: 20 healthy subjects and 63 patients diagnosed with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were included in the study. Annular and myocardial systolic peak velocities, early and late diastolic peak velocities, precontraction, total contraction and relaxation times of the right ventricle were recorded by tissue Doppler echocardiography. The results of the patients were compared to those of the controls. Results: Myocardial systolic velocity was significantly higher in patients with hyperthyroidism. Annular and myocardial late diastolic velocities were found to be significantly lower in patients with overt hypothyroidism. Annular precontraction time was increased in patients with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Myocardial precontraction time was decreased in patients with hyperthyroidism, and increased in patients with overt hypothyroidism patients. Annular relaxation time was increased in patients with overt hypothyroidism. Conclusions: Right ventricular function is affected in patients with thyroid diseases. The tissue Doppler technique is a suitable tool to detect impairments in right ventricular function. There is a significant correlation between serum thyroid hormone levels and right ventricular velocities and time intervals.

Background. We have known that patients with renal insufficiency (creatinine level) have increased mortality for coronary artery disease. In this study, the relationship between admission creatinine level and one year mortality are evaluated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Method. 160 AMI patients (127 men and 33 women with a mean age of 59 ± 13) were enrolled in the study. Serum creatinine levels were measured within 12 hours of AMI. The patients were divided into two groups according to admission serum creatinine level. (1) elevated group (serum creatinine > 1.3 mg/dL) and (2) normal group (≤1.3 mg/dL). One year mortality rates were evaluated. Results. Elevated serum creatinine is observed in the 27 patients (16.9%). The mean creatinine level is 1.78 ± 7 mg/dL in the elevated group and 0.9 ± 0.18 mg/dL in the normal group (P < 0.0001). The mortality rate of the elevated group (n = 7, 25.9%) is higher than that of the normal group (n = 9, 6.8%). A significant increase in one year mortality is also observed (P=002) 60. Conclusion. The mildly elevated admission serum creatinine levels are markedly increased to one year mortality in patients with AMI.