Different genotypes of the hepatitis viruses may influence the clinical outcome of the disease. The distribution of genotypes may vary according to geographical regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) genotypes in Turkish patients with chronic hepatitis in a large cohort of patients. Genotyping was performed in 41, 59 and 365 patients with chronic hepatitis B, D and C, respectively, and 36 hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C. Genotypes were determined by direct sequencing in hepatitis B and by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in hepatitis C and D patients. In addition, HBV subtyping by multiplex PCR and subtype specific ELISA were performed in 83 and 71 HBsAg (+) blood donors, respectively. All hepatitis B (100%) and hepatitis D (100%) patients had genotype D and type I, respectively. HBsAg subtyping by two methods yielded that 99% of the patients were subtype ayw. S gene amino acid sequence in the 41 patients included for HBV genotyping revealed the ayw2 subtype. Genotype distribution of 365 patients with chronic C hepatitis were as follows: 306 (84%) patients genotype 1b, 43 (11%) patients genotype 1a, 10 (3%) patients genotype 2, 3 (1%) patients genotype 3, 3 (1%) patients genotype 4. Among 36 patients receiving hemodialysis, 28 (78%) patients had genotype 1b and 8 (22%) patients had genotype 1a. The study indicates that Turkish patients with chronic viral hepatitis show very little genotypic heterogeneity. Subtype ayw and the genotype D of HBV DNA, and the type I of HDV RNA represent almost 100% of related infections. The genotype 1b of HCV RNA was found to be significantly dominant in Turkish patients.

The popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is rapidly increasing in many countries. These devices are designed to imitate regular cigarettes, delivering nicotine via inhalation without combusting tobacco but currently, there is a lack of scientific evidence on the presence or absence of nicotine exposure. Such research relies on evidence from e-cigarette users urine samples. In this study, we aimed to determine the levels and compare the amount of nicotine to which e-cigarette users, cigarette smokers and passive smokers are exposed. Therefore, urine samples were collected from e-cigarette users, cigarette smokers, passive smokers, and healthy nonsmokers. The urinary cotinine levels of the subjects were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mean (±SD) urinary cotinine levels were determined as 1755 ± 1848 ng/g creatinine for 32 e-cigarette users, 1720 ± 1335 ng/g creatinine for 33 cigarette smokers and 81.42 ± 97.90 ng/g creatinine for 33 passive smokers. A significant difference has been found between cotinine levels of e-cigarette users and passive smokers (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between e-cigarette users and cigarette smokers (p > 0.05). This is a seminal study to demonstrate the e-cigarette users are exposed to nicotine as much as cigarette smokers.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate changes in olfactory function after smoking cessation. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study involving 28 volunteers who were admitted to the smoking cessation section of our hospital. Olfactory tests were performed immediately before smoking cessation and 45 days after smoking cessation. The duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day were noted. Results The mean duration of smoking was 25.5 ± 12 years, and the participants smoked 21.6 ± 6.6 cigarettes per day. There was a significant improvement in odor discrimination, odor identification, and TDI scores (i.e., the total score of odor threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification tests) 45 days after smoking cessation (P = .003, P = .002, and P < .001, respectively). Furthermore, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between the duration of cigarette smoking and the Sniffin’ Sticks olfactory tests performed after smoking cessation, namely odor discrimination, odor identification, and TDI (P = .008, P = .002, P = .001, respectively). Conclusion A significant improvement was observed in odor discrimination, odor identification, and TDI scores after smoking cessation. However, this improvement was inversely associated with the duration of smoking, indicating that a longer duration of smoking may result in an insufficient improvement after smoking cessation. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130:E35–E38, 2020

Purpose: Smoking and alcohol addictions are common and worldwide. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of these addictions on cardiac rhythm using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.Methods: Addicts (n=42 men: 22 cigarette; 20 cigarette and alcohol) and age-matched controls (n=34 men) were included in the study. All patients fulfill the criteria for dependence according to DSM-IV-TR. Electrocardiography (ECG) recordings were obtained for a total of 30 minutes. Fagerstrom Nicotine Addiction Test (FNAT) and CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoy, Guilt, Eye opener) was applied to all patients.Results: Almost all HRV parameters were significantly decreased in cigarette and cigarette and alcohol addicts compared with controls (p<0.05). The mean heart rate (bpm) increased in both addict groups compared with control group, and this increase was particularly significant in cigarette and alcohol addicts. Conclusions:The cardiac autonomic balance shifted in favor of sympathetic activity by suppressing the parasympathetic activity in addicts; therefore, the present study shows that smoking and/or alcohol addiction leads to sympathetic activation and parasympathetic inhibition. Reduced vagal activity also predisposes to cardiac arrhythmias. This suggests an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in subjects with smoking and alcohol addiction.SUPPLEMENT

SummaryWhat is known and objective: Polypharmacy has a significant impact on patients' health with overall expenditure on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines representing a substantial burden in terms of cost of treatment. The aim of this study, which was conducted within the framework of a European Project funded by the European Union under the Seventh Framework Programme and was entitled OTC-SOCIOMED, was to report on possible determinants of patient behaviour regarding the consumption of medicines, and particularly OTCs, in the context of primary care.Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional study was designed and implemented in welldefined primary healthcare settings in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Malta and Turkey. Patients completed a questionnaire constructed on the basis of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), which was administered via face-to-face interviews.