Clinical trials

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder frequently associated with obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and metabolic dysfunction. Although lifestyle modification is recommended as first-line therapy, the optimal dietary approach for women with PCOS remains uncertain. This randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group trial aims to compare the effects of a Mediterranean diet (MD) and a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD), each combined with metformin, inositol, or folic acid (active control), in obese women with PCOS and IR. A total of 102 participants will be randomly assigned to one of six intervention groups and followed for two months. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, biochemical parameters, and hedonic hunger will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention. The primary outcome is the change in insulin resistance, assessed by the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), from baseline to 2 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in body composition, metabolic and biochemical parameters, and hedonic hunger.

Candidates for liver transplantation (CT) carry an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to underlying end-stage liver disease (ESHD) and immunosuppressive drugs used post-transplantation. CVD is a significant cause of long-term mortality after CT \[1\] \[2\]. Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT), a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis in the preoperative period, is a non-invasive method used to predict future CVD risk \[3\]. High CIMT indicates atherosclerosis and decreased arterial compliance. This can compromise organ perfusion and increase the risk of postoperative complications by increasing intraoperative blood pressure variability (BPV) during anesthesia induction and surgical stress in major surgeries such as CT. Studies investigating whether CIMT is an independent risk factor for perioperative hemodynamic instability in CT patients are limited. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of CIMT values on intraoperative hemodynamic parameters. Secondary objectives are to determine the association of CIMT with the incidence of hypotension, vasopressor requirement, postoperative acute renal injury (ARI), and major cardiac adverse events (MCAE) after anesthesia induction. Theoretical Benefit: To make a significant contribution to the literature on the relationship between atherosclerosis and anesthesia management by determining whether CIMT is an independent predictor of perioperative hemodynamic instability in chemotherapy patients. Practical Benefit: To ensure the inclusion of CIMT measurement in the anesthesia risk assessment of chemotherapy candidates. Identifying patients with high CIMT will guide the implementation of more aggressive and targeted hemodynamic management strategies (e.g., more frequent invasive monitoring, proactive vasopressor use) during anesthesia induction and maintenance.

Brief Summary (Kısa Özet)The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a cerebral oximetry-guided low fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO\_2) ventilation strategy compared to a standard high FiO\_2 strategy in patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation (OLV).Oxygen toxicity and related postoperative pulmonary complications remain significant risks during thoracic anesthesia. While standard protocols often rely on high inspired oxygen concentrations to maintain peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO\_2), this approach may induce hyperoxia. Conversely, lowering FiO\_2 arbitrarily can increase the risk of hypoxemia or compromise tissue oxygenation. This prospective, parallel-group, 1:1 randomized, single-blind clinical trial aims to safely reduce intraoperative oxygen exposure by using regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO\_2) monitoring as a physiological guide.A total of 60 participants aged 18 and older, classified as ASA I-III and scheduled for elective thoracic surgery, will be randomly assigned to one of two arms:Experimental Group (Guided Low FiO\_2 Strategy): Ventilation will be initiated at a low FiO\_2 of 0.5. The FiO\_2 level will not be increased unless peripheral saturation (SpO\_2) falls below 90% or cerebral oxygenation (rSO\_2) drops below 80% of the patient's baseline value.Active Comparator Group (Standard Strategy): Patients will receive conventional anesthesia management, maintaining standard high FiO\_2 levels to keep SpO\_2 above 90% without cerebral oximetry guidance.The primary outcomes to be measured are the incidence of cerebral desaturation during the perioperative period and the incidence of postoperative delirium assessed via the 3D-CAM tool until hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative hemodynamic stability, arterial blood gas parameters (PaO\_2, PaCO\_2, pH, lactate), incidence of hypoxemia, total one-lung ventilation duration, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), and lengths of stay in both the intensive care unit (ICU) and the hospital.By utilizing real-time non-invasive cerebral oximetry, the study intends to demonstrate a safe ventilation protocol that minimizes oxygen toxicity without compromising cerebral oxygenation or clinical recovery outcomes.

Controlled hypotension is a widely employed technique in otolaryngological (ear, nose, and throat) surgery, primarily aimed at improving surgical field visibility and minimizing intraoperative blood loss. By maintaining mean arterial pressure within a targeted range, this approach facilitates a clearer operative field, reduces the need for blood transfusion, and shortens operative time, thereby contributing to improved surgical outcomes. Among the pharmacological agents used to achieve controlled hypotension, remifentanil - an ultra-short-acting synthetic opioid - has gained widespread acceptance due to its rapid onset, predictable offset, and favorable hemodynamic profile. Nicardipine, a second-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, is also utilized for its potent vasodilatory properties and titratable antihypertensive effect. When used in combination, these two agents may offer complementary mechanisms of action; however, their combined impact on advanced hemodynamic parameters remains insufficiently characterized in the otolaryngological surgical setting. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effects of remifentanil monotherapy versus remifentanil-nicardipine combination therapy on advanced hemodynamic parameters, cardiac physiology, and tissue perfusion in patients undergoing controlled hypotension during otolaryngological surgery. Advanced hemodynamic monitoring - including parameters such as cardiac output, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, and oxygen delivery indices - will provide a more comprehensive physiological assessment beyond conventional blood pressure measurements. As secondary objectives, this study will evaluate and compare both regimens with respect to surgical field quality, surgeon satisfaction, intraoperative hemodynamic stability, and perioperative adverse effects. It is anticipated that a thorough comparative analysis of these two approaches will contribute to evidence-based anesthetic decision-making and help optimize patient safety and surgical outcomes in otolaryngological procedures.

This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate the predictive value of perioperative lung ultrasound (LUS) score in determining early postoperative oxygen requirement and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing major non-thoracic surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Lung ultrasound is a non-invasive, bedside imaging modality that allows real-time assessment of lung aeration and pathology. This study will investigate the association between perioperative LUS score and early postoperative respiratory outcomes, including oxygen requirement and pulmonary complications.

Dental fear and anxiety are among the most common challenges encountered in pediatric dental practice and may negatively affect children's cooperation and acceptance of dental treatment. Local anesthesia injections are considered one of the main sources of pain and anxiety during dental procedures in children. Although pharmacological methods can be effective in managing pain and anxiety, they may not always be preferred due to potential side effects, limited applicability, and the possibility of increasing stress in children. Therefore, non-pharmacological behavioral management techniques, particularly distraction methods, are increasingly used in pediatric dentistry to reduce pain perception and anxiety. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects of kaleidoscope use and cartoon distraction on pain, fear, and anxiety associated with local anesthesia injections in children undergoing dental treatment. The study will be conducted at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University. A total of 126 children aged between 7 and 12 years who require local infiltration anesthesia during dental treatment will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: the Kaleidoscope Group, the Cartoon Distraction Group, or the Control Group. Children in the kaleidoscope group will use a kaleidoscope during the local anesthesia injection, while children in the cartoon group will watch cartoons during the procedure. In the control group, local anesthesia will be administered according to the routine clinical procedure without any distraction technique. Pain, fear, and anxiety levels will be assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, the Children's Fear Scale, and the Children's Anxiety Scale-State. Behavioral responses will also be evaluated using the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of simple and non-pharmacological distraction techniques in reducing pain and anxiety associated with local anesthesia injections in pediatric dental patients.

The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate how different local anesthesia techniques affect pain and anxiety levels in children undergoing dental treatment. Specifically, the study compares traditional syringe-based anesthesia with a computer-controlled local anesthesia system. The study seeks to answer the following question: Which combination of anesthesia technique is most effective in reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric dental patients? By understanding the impact of these variables, the study aims to help dental professionals choose the most appropriate anesthesia approach to improve the comfort and emotional well-being of children during dental procedures.