Although brucellosis is an old disease, it is still challenging for physicians. In this review, we discussed common pitfalls of brucellosis.

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This study aimed to determine the effect of septoplasty on functional outcomes and physical fitness level. Seventeen patients (mean age = 27.52 ± 7.77 years) with obvious nasal septal deviations (NSDs) were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent a detailed otorhinolaryngologic examination, and the functional movement skills and physical fitness level were evaluated before operation and 6 months after the operation. Functional outcomes were assessed using the timed up and go test and timed up and down stairs test. The physical fitness level of patients was assessed using 6-min walking test (6-mWT), muscle strength tests, muscle endurance tests, flexibility tests, agility test, speed tests, and balance tests.
A significant improvement was observed in functional outcomes and most of physical fitness parameters after septoplasty operation (P < 0.05).
These findings suggested a positive effect of septoplasty on the physical fitness level and functional outcomes, which could be an important point for the relationship of physical fitness level and functional outcomes with NSD.

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This study aimed to compare the efficiency of isosulfan blue (ISB) and colloid methods in determining metastatic conditions of axillary lymph node in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). This prospective study was performed between April 2005 and July 2009 at Gulhane Medical Faculty, Department of General Surgery. A total of 102 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer were enrolled in the clinic of Gulhane School of Medicine. According to the diagnostic protocols of SLN, the patients were divided into three groups as follows: ISB (group I), colloid (group II), and ISB and colloid (group III). SLN was identified in 49 of 52 patients (94.2%) in the ISB group; the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and false negativity (FN) ratio were found to be 90.9%, 75.8%, 96.1%, 55.5%, and 9.1%, respectively. On the contrary, the sentinel lymph node was identified in 38 of 38 (100%) patients in the colloid group; the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and FN were found to be 88.2%, 100%, 100%, 91.3%, and 11.8%, respectively. In ISB and colloid groups; SLN was identified in 12 of 12 (100%) patients in the ISB and colloid groups; the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and FN were found to be 100%, 100%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. This study showed that the combined methods applied to heterogeneous groups of patients for SLNB in breast cancer cases were minimally invasive and effective and hence could be used for evaluating nodal metastases.

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Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases have been increasing in Turkey, in line with global trends. This study aimed to determine whether nurses’ knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission gave rise to their attitude toward patients with HIV/AIDS and resulted in any patient discrimination. This cross-sectional study included 164 nurses from the Yozgat State Hospital, Turkey. A demographic features form, an HIV/AIDS information form, and the AIDS Attitude Scale were used. Analysis of variance and t tests were used for statistical analyses.
The included nurses were both misinformed and inadequately informed about AIDS transmission. More than half of the nurses believed that foams, sponges, and diaphragms were prophylactics, while one third believed that intrauterine devices and birth control pills were prophylactics for HIV/AIDS. Nurses with graduate and undergraduate education had higher levels of knowledge regarding AIDS than did nurses with high school education. The subscales of the AIDS Attitude Scale showed correlations between fear of contagion and negative feelings (intermediate correlation), fear of contagion and professional resistance (weak correlation), and professional resistance and negative feelings (weak correlation). Nurses had insufficient and incorrect knowledge of HIV transmission and prophylactic methods, leading to a negative attitude toward patients with AIDS/HIV.

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Chronic/recurrent tonsillitis is a condition that affects the quality of life with symptoms such as pain, fever, halitosis, and so forth. However, the effect of this condition on depression and anxiety has not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the complex relationship between chronic/recurrent tonsillitis and depression and anxiety in adult patients. The study included 60 female and 60 male patients and 25 healthy male and 25 healthy female controls, aged 18–40 years. The participants were made to fill out the Beck depression and anxiety inventories (BDI and BAI). Those who met the inclusion criteria were included. The averages and cutoff values of the total scores were investigated separately for males and females.
For both males and females, the averages of total BDI scores (P < 0.043 and <0.035, respectively) and total BAI scores (P = 0.019 and 0.027, respectively) were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. This study was novel in exploring the relationship between chronic/recurrent tonsillitis and depression and anxiety in adults. The findings of this study might enhance the understanding on this subject and serve as a valuable guidance for the interested researchers.

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This study aimed to determine the upper extremity isokinetic muscle strength profile of Turkey male weightlifters and shed light on the exercise and training program by sharing these results with the athletes and all team working presently in the weightlifting sports area.
This study included 21 weightlifters, who did not have any orthopedic problems, did professional weightlifting for at least 2 years, were cooperative, had a cognitive state required for the assessment, and volunteered to participate in the study. The tests were performed using an isokinetic dynamometer system at angular velocities of 60°/s and 240°/s during concentric contractions. The protocol was applied separately to the right and left extremities for the shoulder internal rotation/external rotation and elbow flexion/extension movements.
The peak torque of internal rotation in the shoulder joint was found to be higher than that of external rotation, and the extension peak torque in the elbow joint was higher than the peak torque of flexion. External/internal rotation rate in the shoulder joint at 240 º/s velocity was lower compared with the rate at 60º/s velocity and also at the rates accepted to be normal for both angular velocities. The elbow flexion/extension rate on the dominant and nondominant sides ranged outside of the rates accepted as normal for both angular velocities.
The present findings can guide the weightlifting athletes to reduce the sports injuries that may occur in shoulder and elbow joints and increase their sports performance.

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Schwannomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors arising from Schwann cells. Retroperitoneal localization for schwannomas is extremely rare (%3). The primary surgical approach for such tumors is total resection. This study aimed to report the case of a schwannoma with giant, retroperitoneal extension originating from the L3 nerve root.
A 43-year-old female patient was admitted to the department with a cellulosic schwannoma pathology after excisional biopsy at another center. The patient's neurological examination was normal. The lumbar–abdominal contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patient revealed a mass lesion in the vertebral compartment 2 × 3 × 3 cm³ and psoas component 8 × 4 × 3 cm³ in size, extending from the right L3 nerve root into the right psoas muscle. The patient was operated postoperatively in the first stage and then using the anterior approach with intraoperative neuromonitoring. Postoperative contrast-enhanced MRI showed no enhancing tumoral lesions. The pathology result was compatible with schwannoma World Health Organization Grade 1.
Two-stage surgical procedure in such cases should be preferred to prove the adequacy of the surgical field and avoid the complications that may occur in neighboring anatomical structures during resection of circumferentially circumscribed tumors.
Urgent surgical intervention is needed for retroperitoneal lumbar schwannomas. Moreover, elective surgery planning is necessary, and preoperative evaluations should be performed.

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