Browsing by Author "Demir, U."

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An Autopsy Series: Lightning-Related Deaths in Van and Hakkari Provinces, Turkey
(Univ West indies Faculty Medical Sciences, 2021) Hekimoglu, Y.; Asirdizer, M.; Demir, U.; Gur, A.; Etli, Y.; Gumus, O.; Kartal, E.
Objective: To report the largest series of lightning-related deaths in Turkey, to review the literature on this subject, and to identify similarities and differences between the autopsy findings in this study and the information available in literature. Methods: In this study, autopsy reports and crime scene investigation data on 11 lightning-related fatalities that occurred in the Van and Hakkari Provinces, Turkey, from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the 1699 fatalities, 11 (2.53%) evaluated by medico-legal autopsy in the Van and Hakkari Province in a 5-year period died from lightning strikes. Of these cases, 10 (90.1%) were males and 1 (9.9%) was female (p < 0.05). All cases were in the 11 to 33 years age group. All cases were injured outdoors. Conclusion: We concluded that deaths due to lightning strikes are relatively rare in Turkey, and may be reduced with precautions such as avoiding staying under trees or in the vicinity of high towers, refraining from touching metal objects, avoiding lying on the ground, leaning on walls, and crouching outdoors.
Crime Scene and Autopsy Findings in Two Cases of Sudden Death Caused by Inhalation of Butane Gas
(Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, 2023) Kartal, E.; Etli, Y.; Demir, U.; Ata, U.; Asirdizer, M.
Solvent inhalation is still an important public health problem that is responsible morbidity and mortality of young people worldwide and has adverse effects on society. In Turkey, solvent inhalation is the most common substance abuse following smoking and alcohol addiction, and butane and propane have been reported to be the most frequently inhaled substances. In this study, the crime scene information is presented, with the pathology and toxicology analysis results of two cases of death due to inhalation of n-butane, one as suicide and the other accidentally. Although clinical findings were described in detail in cases hospitalized due to butane gas inhalation and in death cases, the number of articles describing crime scene and autopsy findings is limited. In this case report, it is aimed to describe of the findings that they may encounter during the crime scene and death examination, especially for general practitioners and autopsy findings of cases. Consequently, it is important for the general practitioners participating in the corpse examination to be careful about the crime scene and the findings on the corpse, for accurate toxicological analyzes and accurate determination of the cause of death. These physicians should give clues to forensic experts about signs such as thinner, glue, or gas source near the corpse, a plastic bag placed on the head of the corpse, vomit stains near the corpse or on their clothing. © 2023, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi. All rights reserved.
Hypothermia Deaths in Van Province, Turkey
(Univ West indies Faculty Medical Sciences, 2021) Hekimoglu, Y.; Etli, Y.; Gumus, O.; Kartal, E.; Demir, U.; Asirdizer, M.
Objective: To evaluate autopsy findings in hypothermia-related deaths in Van Province, Turkey, a city near the Turkey-Iran border. Methods: Autopsy reports on 43 hypothermia fatalities were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding age, gender, nationality of the cases, seasonality of the deaths, crime scene findings, autopsy findings, manner of deaths, risk factors for hypothermia, other traumatic lesions, and toxicology were obtained from autopsy records and scene investigation records. Results: There were 36 males and 7 females. The mean age was 20.5 years. More than half of the cases died or were found dead in the spring months. All but one of the cases was found dead outdoors. There were common red-coloured livor mortis in 33 cases (76.7%), antemortem traumas in 16 cases (37.2%), cold erythema in 26 cases (60.5%), myxedema in 1 case, bloody discolouration in the synovial fluid in 11 (84.6%) cases, and Wischnewski spots in 32 cases (74.4%). Conclusion: The study showed that illegal refugees are an important social problem in Turkey. Hypothermia should be considered as a cause of death for refugees when they are found, especially in the cold provinces. In the diagnosis of hypothermia, bloody discolouration of the synovial fluid is confirmed to be a valuable finding. Wischnewski spots remain valuable for positive identification.
The Influence of Altitude and Ambient Temperatures on Suicide Deaths in Türkiye From 2007 To 2022
(Yuzuncu Yil Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, 2026) Demir, U.; Can, H.N.; Utku, Z.; Keskin, S.; Aşırdizer, M.
The high rate of suicide worldwide is one of biggest obstacles to meet the WHO goal of reducing deaths by one-third by 2030. Previous studies have proven that suicide risk factors have an intertwined impact on suicide rates. The aim of this study was to define the relationship between the suicide rates in all provinces in Türkiye and the altitudes of these provinces, annual average winter and summer temperatures, temperature differences between winter a nd summer, and to investigate the relationship between suicide rates and gender, age group, socioeconomic scores of the provinces, reasons for suicide and types of suicide. The crude data for the current study were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) public website. Between 2007 and 2022, there were 52,300 suicides in 81 cities in Türkiye, comprising 38,564 males and 13,736 females. An increase in altitude was found to be associated with higher suicide rates in females and young people. For children aged <15 years, a low ambient temperature increased suicide rates. A positive correlation was detected between an increase in mean temperature and suicide committed by jumping from a high place, and between an increase in the seasonal temperature difference and suicide by hanging. The variations in suicide rates associated with altitude and ambient temperature may provide an opportunity to identify times of high risk for individuals with suicidal tendencies and thereby enable them to receive in creased psychological support during these times of change. © 2026, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi. All rights reserved.
A Novel Screening Test for Colon Cancer: Talin-1
(verduci Publisher, 2014) Bostanci, O.; Kemik, O.; Kemik, A.; Battal, M.; Demir, U.; Purisa, S.; Mihmanli, M.
OBJECTIVE: Cell adhesion and angiogenesis within the extracellular matrix involve special signaling molecules, such as integrins and the actin binding protein Talin-1. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the expression of Talin-1 for the early detection of colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood serum samples were collected from 50 healthy volunteers and from 90 patients with colon cancer. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), all 140 samples were analyzed. RESULTS: Preoperative levels of Talin-1 in the serum were significantly higher in patients with colon cancer (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between preoperative levels of Talin-1 in the serum and the age and gender of the patients (p < 0.05). However, a significant correlation was found between Talin-1 levels and the tumor grade, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Talin-1 may play a role in the reinforcement of cell proliferation, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis in colon cancer. Thus, the Talin-1 protein activity may be a novel biomarker to detect colon cancer in humans.