Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the Patient Safety Education Program based on the Constructivist and Traditional Learning Models on nurses' knowledge levels, critical thinking tendencies, and perceptions of clinical decision-making regarding patient safety. Method: This study employed a randomized controlled experimental design. Atotal of 60 nurses were randomly assigned into three groups: the intervention group (n = 20), control group (n = 20), and placebo group (n = 20). The study was conducted in the internal medicine and surgical clinics at a city hospital. Data were collected using the Nurse Information Form, Patient Safety Knowledge Test, California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory, and Clinical Decision-Making in Nursing Scale. Results: The majority of the intervention group were male (65%), single (65%), with undergraduate degrees (75%). Their mean age was 28.90 +/- 4.49 years. The control group was mostlyfemale (60%), single (70%), with undergraduate degrees (80%). Their mean age was 28.95 +/- 6.82 years. The placebo group included males and females equally (50%), 65% single, and 85% with undergraduate degrees. The intervention group's patient safety knowledge scores were higher post-test compared to the control and placebo groups. Follow-up 6 months, the intervention group's total and subscale scores on the critical thinking disposition were also higher than those of the control and placebo groups. Similarly, after 6 months of follow-up, the intervention group's total and subscale scores on clinical decision-making were higher than those of the other groups, indicating a significantly enhanced clinical decision-making perception compared to the control and placebo groups. Conclusion: The findings indicate that patient safetytraining based on the Constructivist Learning Model effectively improves nurses' knowledge levels regarding patient safety and enhances their perceptions of clinical decision-making. However, it does not sufficiently increase their critical thinking tendencies.
Objective: To evaluate the relationships between different crista galli (CG) classification systems using cone-beam computed tomography CBCT) images. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 150 CBCT scans (75 males, 75 females; age range: 8-84 years). CG morphology was classified as teardrop, tubular, or ossified. The depth of the olfactory fossa was assessed using the Keros classification, and the vertical position of the CG relative to the lamina cribrosa was evaluated according to the Hajiioannou classification. The presence of CG pneumatization (CG-P) was also recorded. All images were independently evaluated by two experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologists. Associations between classification systems, sex, and age were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (p < .05). Results: The tubular CG morphology was the most common type (60.7%). Keros Type II (41.3%) and Hajiioannou Type II (50.7%) were the most frequently observed categories. Significant associations were found between CG morphology and Keros classification (p < .05), as well as between Keros and Hajiioannou classifications (p < .05). Ossified CG morphology was observed more frequently in Keros Type I cases. CG-P was present in 10% of cases and showed a significantly higher prevalence in males (p < .05), while no significant associations were observed with age or other classification systems (p > .05). Conclusion: CG morphology, olfactory fossa depth, and vertical CG position demonstrate statistically significant but weak associations rather than representing independent anatomical features. Integrated evaluation of multiple CG classification systems using CBCT may enhance radiological assessment and support safer surgical planning in the anterior skull base region.
Objective: Clostridium species are clinically important anaerobic pathogens associated with severe infections; however, data on their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in T & uuml;rkiye remain limited. This study aimedto evaluatethe antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Clostridium species isolated from invasive clinical specimens and compare them with reported global resistance patterns. Methods: A total of 50 Clostridium spp. isolates representing 13 species were recovered between 2019 and 2024. Species identification was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Five species previously classified within the genus Clostridium but currently assigned to different genera were also included. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the gradient diffusion method to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, vancomycin, metronidazole, clindamycin, and meropenem. Results were interpreted according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints. Results: The most frequently isolated species were Clostridium perfringens (n=15), C. paraputrificum (n=7), C. tertium (n=5), and C. sporogenes (n=5). All isolates were susceptible to metronidazole. High susceptibility rates were observed for ampicillin-sulbactam (90%) and vancomycin (88%); however, all C. innocuum isolates and most C. sporogenes isolates were resistant to vancomycin. Overall susceptibility to ampicillin was 78%, with resistance rates >= 40% in several species. Clindamycin showed the lowest activity (38% susceptibility), while meropenem resistance was detected in 48% of isolates. Conclusion: Metronidazole and ampicillin-sulbactam remain effective for empirical treatment of Clostridium infections in T & uuml;rkiye. Vancomycin and ampicillin should be used cautiously, and clindamycin and meropenem should be avoided without susceptibility testing; species-specific resistance patterns should guide treatment decisions.
Objective: In this retrospective study, the aim was to examine in detail the tooth number anomalies, which are among dental anomalies, on panoramic images taken previously for any reason, and to determine their frequency of occurrence and distribution. Methods: In this study, panoramic images of patients aged 6-12 years, archived in the Department of Pedodontics at Faculty of Dentistry, Ondokuz May & imath;s University were evaluated. The frequency and distribution of tooth number anomalies were determined from these panoramic images. Patients with tooth extraction, avulsed teeth, cleft lip and palate, or systemic diseases noted in their anamnesis and clinical records were excluded from the study. Results: The most prevalent dental abnormality among the 19600 patients studied was congenital tooth absence, occurring at a rate of 5.96%, with a higher frequency recorded in females (54.78%) compared to males (45.21%). Supernumerary teeth, which constitute another tooth number anomaly, were seen in a total of 247 patients (1.26%) in our study, with 94 (38.05%) being female and 153 (61.94%) being male. Conclusion: For effective treatment planning, the prompt identification of tooth number anomalies by dental professionals is vital. An accurate diagnosis necessitates a comprehensive clinical examination, potentially followed by panoramic radiography.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate mandibular premolar (p) and molar (m) teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-derived panoramic reconstructions, with particular emphasis on premolars, which are often poorly visualized on conventional panoramic radiographs. By overcoming these imaging limitations, CBCT may allow more accurate assessment of pulp cavity morphology and improve the applicability of the Drusini method. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated CBCT images of 101 individuals (52 women, 49 men; mean age: 37.4 +/- 14.3 years, range: 18-71 years). Intra-observer reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Sex differences were examined with independent samples t-tests. The tooth coronal index (TCI) of mandibular premolars and molars was measured using Drusini's method. Associations between TCI and chronological age were analyzed using Pearson correlation and linear regression. Model accuracy was assessed using coefficient of determination (R-2) and standard error of estimate (SEE). Results: Intra-observer reliability was good to excellent, with ICC values ranging from 0.895 to 0.929. No significant sex differences were observed for any index (p > .05). All four indices showed significant negative correlations with chronological age, with correlation coefficients ranging from Pearson correlation coefficient (r) = - 0.354 to-0.411 (p < .001 for all). Simple linear regression models explained 12.0% to 16.9% of the variance in age. The combined first mandibular premolar-first mandibular molar model demonstrated the highest predictive performance (R-2 = 0.228, adjusted R-2 = 0.218; SEE = 12.7 years), representing a moderate improvement over single index model. Conclusion: Despite significant correlations, the Drusini TCI method does not provide sufficient accuracy for standalone forensic age estimation in the Turkish population and should be considered only as a complementary approach.
