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Assessing psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale for Nurses
No full textAimThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). MethodsThe study used a descriptive design and was conducted between April and May 2020. The participants were 213 nurses who were working in 12 hospitals in eight cities in Turkey. Content validity index, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to evaluate validity. Cronbach's alpha, item-scale correlation and test-retest reliability were used to evaluate reliability. ResultsThe CVI was 0.92 (0.81-1.00). A one-factor solution was identified and the factor loading of items in scale varied from 0.377 to 0.909. The Cronbach's alpha value was 0.889 in the current study. Item-scale correlations ranged between 0.570 and 0.815. Intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.71 to 0.93. ConclusionThe Turkish version of the FCV-19S for nurses was found to be valid and reliable measure of the fear of nurses towards COVID-19
Improving financial literacy through interactive read-aloud with children’s picture books
No full textThe current study aimed to explore the effects of interactive read-aloud with children’s picture books on third-grade elementary school students’ financial literacy attitude and behavior. A pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental research design was employed. The sample of the current research consisted of 46 third-grade elementary school students. We randomly assigned two preexisting third-grade elementary school classrooms to the treatment and control groups that appeared similar considering the pretest scores of the groups. While interactive read-aloud was used in the treatment group, just reading read-aloud activities occurred in the control group. The implementation process took four weeks. Before and after the implementation, the measurement tool was administered to the students in the groups. A one-way analysis of covariance was used for the posttest scores of the students in the groups. The analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in favor of the treatment group
Frailty and Related Factors in Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
No full textIntroduction: Chronic kidney disease and frailty are two crucial clinical conditions increasing in prevalence globally. Both lead to severe complications that increase mortality and morbidity in patients. Conditions that may potentiate frailty in chronic kidney disease patients may complicate the follow-up of chronic disease and complicate long-term survival in this patient group. In this study, we aimed to evaluate frailty and related factors in chronic kidney disease patients over 65 years of age who were on dialysis and who were not. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in geriatric chronic kidney disease patients followed in nephrology outpatient clinics or undergoing routine hemodialysis. Frailty was assessed using a scoring scale. Laboratory findings and their relationship with demographic and epidemiological data were investigated. Results: One hundred eighty-eight patients aged 65 and over were included in our study. Of the patients, 92 were female, and 96 were male. The mean age was 72.86 years. We found frailty in 82 patients (43.6%). Female gender, over 75 years old, under dialysis treatment, low-income status, and low education level were parameters significantly associated with frailty. In the regression analysis, we found that economic status and dialysis were variables that independently affected frailty in chronic kidney disease patients. Conclusions: In our study, the frequency of frailty was found to be high. Practical management and early assessment of frailty seem rational with the basic nephrological approach in patients with chronic kidney disease. Considering the high mortality rate among frail patients, we think these patients should be followed up more closely
Copper-based metal organic framework modified electrochemical sensor for detection of quercetin in food samples
No full textIn this study, a new sensor was fabricated for the detection of quercetin where carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) was utilized as transducer. The Cu-MOF was successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method. After characterization of the MOF structure, CPE was modified with Cu-MOF via drop-casting method (Cu-MOF/CPE). It was observed that Cu-MOF/CPE displayed a remarkable effect on the electrochemical quercetin signals by increasing the oxidation signal of quercetin about three times compared to the bare electrode. After optimizing the experimental conditions via differential pulse voltammetry, the oxidation mechanism of quercetin was explored using cyclic voltammetry. As a result, it was discovered that the redox process of quercetin on Cu-MOF/CPE was controlled by adsorption. On the other hand, the analytical characteristics of developed sensor were also examined. Consequently, the prepared sensor possessed two linear ranges of 0.01 - 1 mu M and 1-70 mu M of quercetin. Meanwhile, the limit of detection values was found 0.008 mu M and 0.043 mu M, respectively, while the limit of quantification values was 0.026 mu M and 0.142 mu M, respectively. The relative standard deviation value for the detection of 50 mu M quercetin in the standard solution was 0.874% (n = 3). Additionally, the proposed sensor presented satisfactory reproducibility and selectivity for the determination of quercetin in apple and grape juice
Efeito do levetiracetam na medição da pressão de perfusão ocular com angiotomografia de coerência óptica
No full textPurpose: To evaluate using optical coherence tomography angiography the macular and optic nerve head blood flow in pediatric patients with epilepsy treated with levetiracetam for at least 12 months.
Methods: This study included 33 pediatric patients with epilepsy and 30 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteer children were included in the study. Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to evaluate the optic nerve head and macular perfusion changes. The mean ocular perfusion pressures were also calculated. Patients who were using multiple antiepileptic drugs or had a prior history of using different drugs were excluded.
Results: The choriocapillaris flow area was significantly lower in the Study Group than in the Control Group (p=0.006). However, the foveal avascular zone and vessel densities of the macula in the superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, and optic nerve head of the study group were not significantly different from those of the control group (p>0.05). Moreover, no significant difference in means of mean ocular perfusion pressure was found between the two groups (p=0.211). No obvious correlation was found between treatment duration and optical coherence tomography angiography parameters or mean ocular perfusion pressure.
Conclusion: Choroidal perfusion was reduced in children taking levetiracetam compared with that in the control group, whereas retinal perfusion was not affected in this optical coherence tomography angiography study
Synthesis of a new diarylhydrazone derivative and an evaluation of its in vitro biofilm inhibition and quorum sensing disruption along with a molecular docking study
No full textMolecules that target quorum sensing and biofilm inhibition are useful antimicrobials. In this regard, a new diarylhydrazone was synthesized and characterized using infrared, high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments as N-[(E)-4-bromo-2,5-diheptyloxybenzylideneamino]-2,4-dinitroaniline (BHBANA). Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) vary from 0.625 to 2.5 mg mL−1. This compound was screened in vitro for its inhibition of quorum sensing–mediated violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum CV12472 at MIC and sub-MIC and showed percentage inhibition varying from 100% at MIC to 5.7% ± 0.2% at MIC/32. Against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, BHBANA exhibited anti-quorum-sensing zone diameters of 10.5 ± 0.3 mm and 7.0 ± 0.1 mm at MIC and MIC/2, respectively. BHBANA shows concentration-dependent inhibition of swarming motility on flagellated Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 with the highest % inhibition of 28.30% ± 0.50% μg mL−1 at MIC. The product inhibits biofilm formation, with the best biofilm inhibition being observed against Staphylococcus aureus varying from 72.24% ± 0.86% (MIC) to 09.82% ± 0.10% (MIC/8). Molecular docking studies carried out utilizing the Schrodinger software identified interactions between BHBANA and different receptor compartments of Chromobacterium violaceum, which can block pathogenic gene expression. The results suggest the potential of BHBANA in reducing microbial virulence
The Effect of Intraabdominal Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Volume and Muscle Volume on Lumbar Vertebrae Degeneration
No full textObjectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the volume of subcutaneous, visceral, and total adipose tissue, and paravertebral muscles in patients with lumbar vertebrae degeneration (LVD) through computerized tomography (CT) images.
Materials and methods: One forty-six patients with a complaint of lower back pain (LBP) between January 2019 and December 2021 were included in the study. CT scans of all patients were analyzed retrospectively for abdominal visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat volume, and also paraspinal muscle volume measurements and analysis of lumbar vertebrae degeneration (LVD) using designated software. In CT images, each intervertebral disc space was evaluated in terms of the presence of osteophytes, loss of disc height, sclerosis in the end plates, and spinal stenosis to investigate the presence of degeneration. Each level was scored according to the presence of findings, with 1 point for each finding. The total score at all levels (L1-S1) was calculate for each patient.
Results: An association was observed between the loss of intervertebral disc height and the amount of visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat volume at all lumbar levels (p˂0.05). The amount of all fat volume measurements also showed association with osteophyte formation (p˂0.05). An association was found between sclerosis and the amount of all fat volume at all lumbar levels (p˂0.05). It was observed that spinal stenosis at the lumbar levels was not associated with the amount of fat (total, visceral, subcutaneous) at any level (p˃0.05). No association was found between the amount of adipose and muscle volumes and vertebral pathologies at any level (p˃0.05).
Conclusion: The abdominal visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat volumes are associated with lumbar vertebral degeneration and loss of disc height. Paraspinal muscle volume does not show an association with vertebral degenerative pathologies
Prediction of hospitalization time and independence level with functional outcomes for patients with acute stroke: a retrospective study
No full textObjectives: The objective of this study was to develop predictive models for estimating the length of stay (LOS) with standardized clinical outcome measures (Functional Independence Measure, Trunk Impairment Scale, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients, Fugl Meyer Assessment Scale, and Functional Ambulation Category) during acute care setting. Methods: One hundred sixty-nine patients were included in the retrospective study. Predictors chosen for the LOS included scores of functional outcome measures at admission. We used Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients to calculate correlations among clinical outcome measures and LOS, stepwise multiple regression analysis to develop a predictive model, and receiver operating characteristics curve to analyze the predictive value of explanatory factors obtained from the previous model for discharge Functional Independence Measure score. Results: The predictive equation explained 81% of the variance in LOS. The most important predictors were trunk impairment, motor function of the upper extremity, walking ability, and independence level at admission. The receiver operating characteristic curve was obtained with a cut-off score of 13 points for the Trunk Impairment Scale, 47 points for Fugl Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity, and 2 points for Functional Ambulation Category, demonstrating the highest percentage of the accurately predicted ability of independence level at discharge. Discussion: The models presented in this study could help clinicians and researchers to predict the LOS and discharge independence level of clinical outcomes for patients with acute stroke enrolled in an acute care setting
Anticancer and apoptotic effects of a polysaccharide extract isolated from Lactarius chrysorrheus Fr. in HepG2 and PANC-1 cell lines
No full textMushrooms are widely used in many cultures for nutritional and health benefits. The Lactarius species is found in the Aegean region of Turkey. Lactarius chrysorrheus Fr. is a wild mushroom that contains a milky juice. In this study, we investigated the in vitro cytotoxic potential and apoptotic effect of the polysaccharide extract prepared from L. chrysorrheus by water extraction and alcohol precipitation using the tetrazolium MTT dye assay, annexin V staining, wound healing and colony formation, and qRT-PCR. The molecular weights of three peaks observed in HPLC chromatograms were calculated as 1869.9, 3043.92 and 16821.47 Da. The extract exhibited cytotoxic activity at 72 h, with an IC50 value of 296.42 μg/mL in HepG2 and 444.43 μg/mL in PANC-1 cells; the extract that was tested on the normal HEK293 cell line exhibited no cytotoxicity. Further, L. chrysorrheus upregulated the expression of CASPASE 3 and CASPASE 9 while downregulating B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) genes, and inhibited cell migration and colony formation in HepG2 and PANC-1 cells. This study provides new insight into the use of the polysaccharide from L. chrysorrheus in the development of novel anticancer agent
Effects of obstructive sleep apnea on retinal microvasculature
No full textAim: To detect retinal microvascular variations in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients.
Methods: This prospective, observational case-control study included healthy controls and patients with mild, moderate, and severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Vascular parameters, foveal avascular area, and flow areas in macula-centered, 6.00×6.00 mm2 scan size optical coherence tomography angiography images were compared.
Results: The control group had the highest whole image, parafoveal, and perifoveal vessel density among the groups in both superficial and the deep capillary plexus (all P<0.05). Rapid eye movement sleep apnoea-hypopnoea index was reversely correlated with whole (Rho=-0.195, P=0.034), parafoveal (Rho=-0.242, P=0.008), perifoveal (Rho=-0.187, P=0.045) vessel density in the superficial capillary plexus, and whole (Rho=-0.186, P=0.046), parafoveal (Rho=-0.260, P=0.004), perifoveal (Rho=-0.189, P=0.043) vessel density in the deep capillary plexus, though the mean and non-rapid eye movement sleep apnoea-hypopnoea index related with only parafoveal vessel density in the superficial capillary plexus (Rho=-0.213, P=0.020; Rho=-0.191, P=0.038) and the deep capillary plexus (Rho=-0.254, P=0.005; Rho=-0.194, P=0.035).
Conclusion: This study shows decreased vessel density and its reverse correlation with the apnoea-hypopnoea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome