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Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the Internet decision-making status of risky and non-risky pregnant women. Method: The research employed an analytical and case-control design. The sample of the study consisted of 214 pregnant women, including 107 in the risky group and 107 in the non-risky group, who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic. In the study, the data were collected using The Introductory Information Form and The Internet Decision-Making Scale in Pregnancy (IDMSP) through face-to-face interviews. In the evaluation of the data, Chi-square test, Independent Samples t-Test and Mann Whitney U test were used in addition to descriptive statistics.Results: The mean age of the pregnant women participating in the study was 28.08 ± 6.37 years. It was determined that 56.1% of the pregnant women who participated in the study met their need for information on the Internet, 46.7% checked the blog pages of the doctors while searching on the Internet to receive information about pregnancy, and 49.1% mostly used the Internet for searching about the prenatal development and health of the baby. The overall mean score of the pregnant women at risk obtained from the IDMSP was significantly higher compared to those in the non-risky group (p=0.002).Conclusion: The Internet decision-making status of risky pregnant women has been found to be higher compared to non-risky pregnant women. Accordingly, midwives and nurses should inform pregnant women that information on the Internet is not always safe, and it is important to consult healthcare professionals when making a decision regarding pregnancy.

Amaç: Çalışmanın amacı her iki doğum şeklini deneyimleyen kadınların doğum eylemi ve postpartum döneme yönelik duygu ve düşüncelerinin fiziksel ve psikososyal açıdan incelenmesidir. Yöntemler: Bu çalışmada kalitatif yöntemlerden fenomenolojik yöntem kullanıldı. Çalışmanın örneklemini en az birer defa normal ve sezaryen doğum yaparak her iki doğum şeklini deneyimleyen 16 kadın oluşturdu. Verilerin toplanmasında kişisel bilgi formu ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanıldı. Veriler, “derinlemesine görüşme” yöntemiyle toplandı ve “içerik analizi” ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Çalışmada katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 31,5 ± 2,3 yıl iken, %37,5’inin ilkokul mezunu, ve %50’sinin gelir getiren bir işte çalışmadığı belirlenmiştir. Verilerin içerik analizi sonucunda dört ana tema ve sekiz alt tema ortaya çıkmıştır. Her iki doğum şeklini deneyimleyen kadınların psikososyal açıdan ele alındığında, doğum eylemine yönelik ağrı, korku, endişe, kontrol kaybı gibi deneyimlerden sonra postpartum ilk dakikalarda fiziksel rahatlık, mutluluk ve emzirme gibi olumlu deneyimleri yaşadıkları saptandı. Sonuç: Çalışma sonuçları kadınların normal sonrası sezaryen doğuma göre daha olumlu annelik ve postpartum süreç deneyimlediklerini, bebekle ilk iletişim ve emzirme sürecini yönetebildiklerini göstermektedir ve bu durum normal doğum konusunda gebelerin desteklenmesinin ve cesaretlendirilmesinin önemini ortaya koymaktadır.

Background & aim: Pregnancy is a special period that brings various changes to mothers and fathers, who make an effort to adapt to pregnancy. Spousal support encourages sharing emotions during pregnancy and strengthening parental roles. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between perceived spousal support in pregnancy and prenatal attachment.Methods: This correlational study was conducted with 323 pregnant women who applied to Osmaniye Public Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics between October 2021 and February 2022. The Demographic Information form, the Perception of Spousal Support in Pregnancy Scale (PSSPS), and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25) applying the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's correlation analysis, and descriptive statistics.Results: Based on the results, pregnant women who received the most support from their spouses during pregnancy had a substantially higher median PSSPS total score than those who received support from other individuals (mother, sister, and spouse's mother) (P

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a potentially reversible disease characterized by gait disturbance, a frontal-subcortical pattern of cognitive impairment, and urinary incontinence with disproportionately enlarged ventricles. Its prevalence rises with aging. Patients with iNPH are treated with shunt placement, and predicting the surgical outcome is not always easy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has inevitably been an attractive matrix for biomarker identification in both the diagnosis and treatment of iNPH and the disease may have individual CSF composition changes. Additionally, in order to detect iNPH earlier, implement treatment faster, and have better therapeutic effects, the incorporation of CSF biomarkers in the diagnostic and treatment process is essential. In this review, CSF biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, axonal damage, neuronal damage, astroglial dysfunction, myelin damage, inflammation, and extracellular matrix protein remodeling have been evaluated and tried to emphasize those of which have highly consistent findings in the studies. CSF samples collected only at a single time point may not be sufficient to identify a promising marker in such a dynamic and used to be a common comorbid condition to other neurodegenerative diseases. These confounders demonstrate the limitations of using solely biomarkers to diagnose the disease and to foresee the outcome of the shunt surgery. Therefore, CSF samples collected antemortem at different time points and biopsy-confirmed iNPH patients with and without other neurodegenerative diseases would fill the gaps in identifying a valid biomarker. Longitudinal observations of shunt responders and non-responders in multicenter with well-defined cohorts are also needed to understand iNPH-specific markers. Finally, biomarkers of a bioinformatic approach that includes micro-RNAs, extracellular vesicles, metabolomics, the microbiome, or else are warranted to identify novel and useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker tools in iNPH.

Plain language summary Impairment of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and inability to use sexual and reproductive rights are an important public health problem during pandemics. Reproductive healthcare services are limited to pregnancy and childbirth-related care during pandemics. This study was conducted to examine the effects of the pandemic on women’s protective attitudes towards reproductive health. In women in Turkey, education level, income status, health assurance, health perceptions, obstetric history and contraceptive methods are the factors that affect the reproductive health. The women presenting to health centers with reproductive health problems before a pandemic do not receive healthcare for their genital problems during the pandemic due to the risk of disease transmission.

Abstract BACKGROUND Stigmatization, which emerges depending on the sexual behavior of young individuals, leads to negative health and social outcomes, such as shame, social marginalization, violence, and mental health morbidity. Objective: This study aimed to examine the correlation between the level of sexual and reproductive health stigma and gender perception in female university students. DESIGN AND SETTING: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences of a university in Turkey. METHODS: The data of this study were collected from digital media between July and October 2020 from a study population of 385 students. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, including the socio-demographic characteristics of students, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Stigmatization Scale in Young Women and the Perception of Gender Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation test were used to assess the data. RESULTS: It was determined that there was a negative correlation between the Sexual and Reproductive Health Stigmatization Scale in Young Women and the Perception of Gender Scale (r = -0.173, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that as the gender perception in the young women who participated in the study increased, the sexual and reproductive health stigmatization level decreased. The sexual and reproductive health stigmatization levels of the participants were at an above average level, and gender perception was at a medium level.

Alkil benzen’den türetilmiş amfifillerin, asfalten çökelmesini geciktirici özellikleri sebebiyle, asfalt endüstrisinde kullanıldığı bilinmektedir, ancak bu konuda yapılmış çalışmalar kısıtlıdır. Çalışma kapsamında, deterjan endüstrisinde kullanılan lineer alkil benzen sülfonik asit (LABSA) sürfaktanının bitüm ile kullanımı, penetrasyon ve yumuşama noktası deneyi ile dinamik kayma reometresi kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Farklı LABSA içerikleri ile üretilmiş numunelerin penetrasyon indeksi ve kompleks kayma modül değerleri göz önünde bulundurularak sıcaklık hassasiyeti ve viskoelastik davranışları araştırılmıştır. Ayrıca, numunelerin kısa dönem ve uzun dönem yaşlanma sonrasındaki performansları da incelenerek LABSA içeriğinin yaşlanmaya karşı etkileri irdelenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre, LABSA kullanımının sıcaklık hassasiyetini belirgin özellikte azalttığı ve bitüme elastik davranış kazandırdığı görülmektedir. Bitüm ağırlığının %2’si oranında LABSA kullanımı, sıcaklık hassasiyeti ve elastik performans açısından en uygun sonuçları vermektedir. Bununla birlikte, LABSA modifikasyonunun bitümün yaşlanmaya karşı direncini arttırmaktadır.

Introduction/aimFrail and cognitively impaired older patients are particularly vulnerable groups during the pandemic. Lockdowns, social isolation, and physical inactivity considerably affect physical and mental wellbeing. During the pandemic process, routine medical checks and acute medical care services may be disrupted. The study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of telemedicine in the delivery of healthcare services to elderly patients during the pandemic.Materials and methodsE-mails sent to the e-mail address of the department of geriatrics, which has been actively used for 4 years, between April 2020 and June 2021, were retrospectively evaluated. The time and reason for each application, referral to the patients, demographic data of the patients, and chronic diseases were recorded. E-mail frequencies were considered monthly time series, and time series charts for e-mail frequencies from patients were produced.ResultsA total of 374 e-mails that 213 patients sent were assessed. A vast majority, 97.6% of the e-mails, were sent by proxies. The mean age of patients was 78.7 ± 8.1 years, and 59.2% were women. Hypertension and dementia were the most common comorbidities. The applications mostly occurred in April-May and October-November 2020. The most common complaint in dementia was behavioral disturbances (13.6%). Geriatric outpatient appointments were arranged for 29.9% of the applicants, 14.2% were referred to the emergency department, and 23.0% were offered medical treatment. Outpatient examination and treatment were completed in 15% of the patients and 10.4% of them were hospitalized. The time series charts showed that e-mails were sent more frequently by patients with dementia than the others (p = 0.03).ConclusionsTelemedicine, which enables many problems of patients to be solved in geriatric practice without face-to-face appointments, can also prevent infections and unnecessary hospitalizations, especially during these unusual pandemic days.

The utilization of hot mix asphalt (HMA) for road construction necessitates high temperatures during mixing bitumen and aggregate at asphalt plant. The required (mixing) production temperature is calculated by the standard method (ASTM 2493). The application of this method for polymer modified bitumen (PMB) and warm mix asphalt (WMA) have tendency of higher temperatures. Therefore, some alternative methods suggested by literatures for the determination of production temperature for PMB and WMA have been implemented aiming to determine lower temperatures than the standard method (ASTM 2493). Moreover, the economic impacts of the determined production temperatures through different models are evaluated by the estimation of energy consumption in terms of electricity and natural gas costs for the batch type asphalt plants. Besides, the possible environmental effects are calculated by considering the carbon dioxide emissions. The results of this study have shown that the reduction in production temperatures led to a significant decrease in the total construction cost of each type of asphalt and a significant reduction in the estimated carbon dioxide emission. The results of this study can be used as a reference point for the estimation of both economic and environmental impacts of utilizing lower production temperatures for different bitumen samples.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The relationship between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score has not been previously studied. In this study, we investigated the relationship between MAC and CONUT score to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with MAC. Methods: A total of 275 patients, including 150 patients with MAC and 125 patients without MAC, who presented to a cardiology outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study. Results: There was no difference in the CONUT score between the two groups. Correlation analysis indicated that CONUT score was positively correlated with left atrial (LA) diameter (r=0.190, P=0.020) and interventricular septum thickness (r=0.179, P=0.028) in the MAC+ group. In multivariate regression analysis, only LA diameter (odds ratio 95% confidence interval = 1,054-1,189, P=0.0001) was independently associated with MAC. Conclusion: The present study investigated the relationship between CONUT score and MAC for the first time in the literature. We demonstrated that CONUT score was not significantly higher in patients with MAC without chronic diseases. However, CONUT score was correlated with LA diameter in patients with MAC. We therefore conclude that, for patients admitted with MAC and high LA diameter, CONUT is a valuable nutritional and inflammatory status index.

Modification of bitumen by different modifiers, causes the morphological, rheological and chemical characterisation differences related to the following three main factors: the type of the polymer, bitumen components and blending conditions. Manufacturing conditions can be investigated in several groups such as; mixing temperature, duration of mixing and shear rate (mixing speed). These manufacturing conditions are the key parameters, since they act an important role on the properties of the final product. These key parameters and their effects have always been an interesting topic for the researchers, because they may have some consequences like aging of the sample, degradation of the polymer or sometimes less absorption of the polymer by bitumen etc. This study aims to present the influences of mixing conditions on different properties of the bituminous mixtures with the help of reviewing the previous studies in the literature.

Background: Pregnancy is a period in which psychological, physiological, emotional changes are experienced and comfort for pregnant women can decrease. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prenatal comfort level and the affecting factors in third trimester pregnant women. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2018 and September 2018. The sample consisted of 421 pregnant women in the third trimester who were admitted to the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic of a hospital in Çankırı, who agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected by using the “Pregnant Information Form” and the "Prenatal Comfort Scale" (PCS). Results: Of the pregnant women, 52.3% were in the 26-34 age range, 26.6% were university graduates, 31.1% had low income, 73.6% of them were multiparous and 17.3% of them were not planned pregnancy. The mean PCS and sub-dimensions of the pregnant women were found to be 62.98 ± 8.28, 17.23 ± 2.75, 8.98 ± 1.36, 12.90 ± 2.11, 12.99 ± 1.98, and 10.88 ± 2.87, husband, fetus, people, mother, myself respectively. The PCS scores of the pregnant women were found to be significantly higher in the 18-25 age group, higher education graduates, employee, pregnancy-planned and primipara pregnants (p = .001). As a result of logistic regression analysis performed with these variables, multiparity prenatal comfort (OR = 2.986, 95% C.I 1.529-5.832) was found to be an important variable that affected negatively (p = .001). Conclusion: The prenatal comfort of pregnant women was found to be “high” and were found to be significantly higher in the 18-25 age group, higher education graduates, employee, pregnancy-planned and primipara pregnants. Midwives and nurses; it is thought that evaluation of comfort levels of pregnant women and planning interventions for them are important in terms of preventing negative consequences for pregnancy and postpartum period.

Introduction/AimAnticholinergic drugs, which have severe central and peripheric side effects, are frequently prescribed to older adults. Increased anticholinergic drug burden is associated with poor physical and cognitive functions. On the other side, the impact of anticholinergics on nutritional status is not elaborated in the literature. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of the anticholinergic burden on nutrition.Materials and MethodsPatients who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) 6 months apart were included in the study. Patients diagnosed with dementia were excluded because of the difference in the course of cognition, physical performance and nutrition. Nutritional status and global cognition were evaluated using Mini Nutritional Assessment-short form (MNA-SF), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Anticholinergic drug burden was assessed with the Drug Burden Index (DBI), enabling a precise dose-related cumulative exposure. Patients were divided into three groups according to DBI score: 0, no DBI exposure; 0–1, low risk; and ≥1, high risk. Regression analysis was performed to show the relationship between the difference in CGA parameters and the change in DBI score at the sixth month.ResultsA total of 423 patients were included in the study. Participants' mean age was 79.40 ± 7.50, and 68.6% were female. The DBI 0 score group has better MMSE and MNA-SF scores and a lower rate of falls, polypharmacy, malnutrition, and risk of malnutrition in the baseline. Having malnutrition or risk of malnutrition is 2.21 times higher for every one-unit increase in DBI score. Additionally, during the 6-month follow-up, increased DBI score was associated with decreased MNA-SF and MMSE score, albumin.ConclusionsThe harmful effects of anticholinergics may be prevented because anticholinergic activity is a potentially reversible factor. Therefore, reducing exposure to drugs with anticholinergic activity has particular importance in geriatric practice.

Asphalt pavements are amongst the most recycled materials in the contemporary world depending on the environmental and financial advantages. The introduction of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) on newly produced asphalt pavement is possible by the utilization of rejuvenating agents, which should contain oily fractions. For this purpose, within the scope of this study, three types of agents with optimum amounts (by weight of bitumen) were utilized 5.4% Waste Engine Oil (WEO), 5.1% Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO), and 6.8% Commercial Rejuvenating Agent (CRA). The highest applicable RAP content in mixtures depends on the rejuvenator type determined by Marshall Mix Design tests (air voids, flow, and stability). Rejuvenation facilitated the use of 50 to 60% of additional RAP material in the mixtures depending on the rejuvenator type. Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) test results declared that RAP mixtures, when subjected to the rejuvenation process, resulted in relatively less brittleness and enhanced durability properties compared to the unmodified ones. Additionally, cost comparison analyses demonstrated encouraging results as the cost-benefit ratio exceeded up to 55% for mixtures involving high percentages of rejuvenated RAP. As a final analysis, Return on Investment (ROI) values were calculated for each rejuvenator type by the cost of upgrading the facility to handle RAP and the profit of RAP usage. Consequently, ROI was calculated as a return time in months, which unveils an extremely profitable opportunity in the industry.

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türk halkının oosit / sperm bağışı hakkındaki görüşlerini belirlemektir.Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı kesitsel tipteki bu çalışma bir üniversite hastanesinin kadın hastalıkları ve doğum polikliniğine, kadınlar ve eşlerine veri toplama formu uygulanarak yürütüldü. Veri toplama formu katılımcıların demografik özelliklerine ve oosit/sperm bağışı hakkındaki düşüncelerine ilişkin 35 sorudan oluşmaktadır. Örnekleme çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 323'ü kadın, 105'i erkek toplam 428 kişi dahil edildi. Bulgular: Kadınların %64.3’ü, erkeklerin %71.4’ü infertile çiftlerde bağışlanmış oosit/sperm kullanımını uygun bulmadığını belirtti. Katılımcıların %63.0’ü, oositler/sperm bağışçılarının ve bağışı kabul edenlerin danışmanlık alması gerektiğini söyledi. Uygun bulan kişilerin %21.5’i akraba (örneğin kızkardeşi) ve arkadaş tarafından yapılan oosit/sperm bağışını uygun bulurken, %31.8'i yabancılardan almayı uygun bulmaktadır. İlkokul mezunlarının %88.7’si, üniversite ve üzeri düzeyde mezunların %73.4'ü, çalışanların %76.7'si, gelirleri giderlerinden daha düşük olanların%86.2'si ve yaşayan çocuğu olanların %77,1'i eşlerinde çocuk sahibi olmayı engelleyen bir problem varlığında bağışlanan oosit/sperm yoluyla çocuk sahibi olmayı kabul etmeyeceklerini belirttiler. Sonuç: Katılımcıların yarıdan fazlası, infertilitede bağışlanmış oosit/sperm yoluyla çocuk sahibi olmasını uygun bulmadığını beyan etmiştir.

The isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization behaviour of composites of a poly(propylene) (PP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). An Avrami analysis was used to study the isothermal crystallization kinetics of unfilled PP and composites of PP with MWCNT loadings up to 2 (w/w). The value of the Avrami exponent (n) was greater than 2 for all samples, confirming the primary stage of crystal growth is a three-dimensional phenomenon. The activation energy (ΔE), determined using an Arrhenius type expression, for the isothermal crystallization of PP increased from 87 kJ for unfilled PP to 228 kJ on incorporation of 2 (w/w) MWCNTs to PP. An attempt was made to model the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of composites of PP and MWCNTs using a range of mathematical models, including the Jeziorny extended Avrami equation, Ozawa equation, Cazé and Chuah average Avrami exponents, and a combined Avrami/Ozawa approach. The Jeziorny extended Avrami approach confirmed that the non-isothermal crystallization of MWCNT filled PP is clearly a two-stage process. Fitting of the Ozawa model was shown to be not valid and both the Cazé and Chuah average Avrami approaches were ineffective as neither took in to account the effects of secondary crystallization. Only the combined Avrami/Ozawa method successfully modelled the two-stage crystallization of composites of PP and MWCNTs. The activation energy (ΔE) for the non-isothermal crystallization of PP on addition of MWCNTs increased with increasing MWCNT content, up to as high as 726 kJ. Keywords: Poly(propylene), Carbon nanotubes, Composites, Crystallization kinetics, DSC

Choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is currently treated successfully with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) intravitreal agents. Emerging evidence suggests that anti-VEGF treatment may potentially increase development of geographic atrophy. However, there is not yet direct proof of a causal relationship between geographic atrophy and use of anti-VEGF agents in neovaskuler AMD. The aim of this review is to discuss the evidence concerning the association between anti-VEGF therapy and progression of geographic atrophy.

Since worldwide alcohol consumption, the understanding the mechanism of action of ethanol is important in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study we aimed to clarify the role of extracellular and intracellular calcium (Ca2+) on relaxations induced by ethanol in isolated mouse gastric fundus. Mice (Swiss albino) of either sex were used in this study. After killing the mice by cervical dislocation the gastric fundal strips were prepared by longitudinal incision and mounted under 0.5 g tension in an organ bath filled with Tyrodes solution. The bath medium was maintained at 37 oC and gassed with %95O2 and 5%CO2. Experimental data were recorded by an isometric transducer. Ethanol (164 mM) caused reproducible relaxations in isolated mouse gastric fundal strips. These relaxations were significantly inhibited by verapamil (10-5-5x10-4 M), a blocker of L-type Ca2+ channels, and ruthenium red (10-5-10-4 M), a blocker of ryanodine receptors (intracellular Ca2+ channels) in a concentration dependent manner. On the other hand cyclopiasonic acid (CPA; 10-6-10-5 M), a blocker of Ca2+-ATPase, failed to affect the relaxations induced by ethanol. The results of experimental data suggest that extracellular Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release may play a role on relaxations induced by ethanol in the isolated mouse gastric fundal smooth muscle. [Med-Science 2016; 5(4.000): 967-71]

Ülkemizde son yıllarda Enterovirus ailesinin etkeni olduğu el-ayak-ağız hastalığının görülme sıklığının, daha yaygın olarak çocuklarda olmakla beraber; erişkinlerde de arttığı gözlemlenmektedir. Hasta ile ilk tıbbi temas noktası olan, koruyucu hekimliğin ön planda olduğu birinci basamakta sık karşılaşılan bu hastalığa erişkin, gebe bir olgu ile dikkat çekmek istedik.

Letter to the editor

Introduction: The presence of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients is now well established to support the clinical diagnosis. On the other hand, a single band response can represent the initial stage of an oligoclonal response, before the other antibody clones become visible. Method: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the presence of an isolated cerebrospinal fluid single immunoglobulin band, and to analyse the clinical and radiological diagnosis of the samples with a single immunoglobulin band. In this study, 3524 cerebrospinal fluid samples were re-examined using agarose gel isoelectric focusing, and ones with an isolated cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulin band were detected. Results: A single band in cerebrospinal fluid was detected in 1.4% samples. A clinically isolated syndrome was diagnosed in 27.5%of them, relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in 49%, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 11.8%, and radiologically isolated syndrome in 2%. No primary progressive multiple sclerosis patient was found. All Barkhoff criteria were met in 90.1% of them. The remaining were diagnosed with other inflammatory neurological diseases (9.8%). Conclusion: The presence of an isolated cerebrospinal fluid monoclonal immunoglobulin band is rare. Although most of the samples were diagnosed as multiple sclerosis according to both clinical and paraclinical (magnetic resonance imaging) parameters, they had only a single immunoglobulin band in cerebrospinal fluid. Not only oligoclonal bands, but also an isolated cerebrospinal fluid single band might be a cornerstone for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at least for some patients.

AIM:To determine the frequency, subtype, complications, treatment and visual prognosis of uveitis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).METHODS:A total of 1702 MS patients’ medical records were reviewed for a history of uveitis both with a neurologist and an ophthalmologist.RESULTS:Nine patients (0.52%) with uveitis were detected. Eight of them were female, one was male. The mean age was 42.0±14.1y (range 22-66). Seven patients were relapsing remitting MS, two were secondary progressive MS. The mean duration of MS was 10.8±10.3y, and the mean duration of uveitis 10.3±9.9y. The onset of uveitis preceded that of MS (four patients) by a mean of 5.0±4.3y (range 1-11). MS diagnosed prior to the onset of uveitis (five patients) by an interval of 0.75-16y (mean 4.95±6.24y). There were 16 affected eyes of nine patients. The most common types of uveitis were panuveitis and intermediate uveitis. Uveitis was bilateral in most patients. The most common complications were cataract and glaucoma, and patients with such complications were surgically treated. The range of visual acuity of affected eyes was 20/800 to 20/22, with only six of 16 affected eyes better than 20/40. After treatment, the visual acuity of the affected eyes was better than 20/40 in 11 of 16 eyes.CONCLUSION:Uveitis should be considered when assessing an MS patient with visual loss, as surgical interventions other than medical treatments may be needed to improve visual function. Complications could be seen more often when posterior segment is involved.

Less time-consuming, easy-to-apply and more reliable cognitive screening tests are essential for use in primary care. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the Turkish version of the Rapid Cognitive Screen (RCS-T) and Triple Test individually and the combination of RCS-T with each sign and Triple Test to screen elderly patients for cognitive impairment (CI). A total of 357 outpatients aged 60 or older, who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment, were included in the study. Presence or absence of attended alone sign (AAS), head-turning sign, and applause sign was investigated. The mean age of the patients was 74.29 ± 7.46. Of those, 61 patients (28 men, 33 women) had Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 59 patients had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (29 men, 30 women), and 237 (80 men, 157 women) were cognitively robust. The sensitivity of the combination of RCS-T and negative for AAS for CI, AD and MCI is 0.79, 0.86 and 0.61, respectively; the specificity was 0.92, 0.93 and 0.92, respectively; and the positive and negative predictive values revealed good diagnostic accuracy. The combination of RCS-T and negative for AAS is a simple, effective and rapid way to identify possible CI in older adults.

In a retrospective review of patients with acquired demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system, 133 patients (5.6%) whose diseases started in childhood, were selected from 2369 patients, who had medical records in the Neurology Department of Dokuz Eylul University. Out of 133, 98 had relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, 21 had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, 8 had clinically isolated syndrome, 3 had neuromyelitis optica, 2 had Marburg disease, and 1 had radiologically isolated syndrome. In 55 patients (41.3%), disease onset was before age 16. Polysymptomatic presentation (22.6%) was the most common initial feature. The EDSS scores ranged from 0 to 9 with a median of 2.0 () for 126 patients. MRI records of 111 patients were obtained. 97 patients had clinically definite multiple sclerosis. 11 MS patients (11.3%) did not initially present the diagnostic MRI features. All of the remaining multiple sclerosis patients fulfilled Barkhof-Tintore criteria (100%) and 88.7% fulfilled KIDMUS criteria. Cranial MRI of NMO patients was normal. Our findings demonstrate some important clinical and paraclinical features that can help the literature on acquired demyelinating disorders of childhood by utilizing data from Western Turkey.

Objectives. In the present study, we aimed to compare the childhood and adult onset multiple sclerosis patients prospectively in their adulthood on the basis of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and cognitive impairment, which have not been performed before. Patients and Methods. Forty-six patients in whom the disease onset occurred before 16 years of age were included in the present study. Study subjects were compared with 64 randomly included adult onset patients. Results. Mean disease duration, clinical course, and female to male ratio did not differ in the groups. Cerebellar/brainstem and spinal involvement at onset were significantly higher in EOMS than in AOMS. Difference in MSFC between baseline and at the end of the 5th year was significantly worse in EOMS population (). The most significant difference was found in Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) (). Differences between baseline and at the end of the 5th year on the basis of T1 hypointense lesions were significantly higher in early onset MS than in adult onset MS patients (). Conclusions. Early onset MS seems to have worse prognosis than that of adult onset MS on the basis of clinical manifestation, cognitive impairment, and MRI parameters.

OBJECTIVES: Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) is characterized by excessive fat deposition in the pancreas in the absence of alcohol consumption. In this study, we aimed to detect a possible relationship between adipose tissue accumulation, prediabetes and diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional and retrospective study included 110 patients. Three groups were classified as controls, patients with prediabetes and patients with type 2 diabetes. The abdominal computed tomography (CT) attenuation measurement results of the pancreas were evaluated independently by two experienced radiologists. CT measurements and biochemical parameters were compared between study groups. The relationship between continuous variables was assessed by using one-way ANOVA. To determine the changes in the dependent variable for the effects on study groups, the independent variable was adjusted using ANCOVA. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The presence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes was correlated with a decrease in the mean Hounsfield Unit (HU) value of the pancreas (p=0.002). Age was determined to be an independent risk factor and was correlated with NAFPD (p=0.0001). When compared to the controls (p=0.041), 71% of patients with prediabetes and 67% of patients with type 2 diabetes were observed to have an increased incidence of NAFPD. Decreased serum amylase was found to be correlated with the mean HU value of the pancreas (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: NAFPD was independently correlated with both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes adjusted for age (p=0.0001) in this study. Additionally, age was determined to be an independent risk factor and was correlated with NAFPD.

Background: This study examined the factors that affect loneliness of older people and their relationship with quality of life. Methods: Data in this cross-sectional study were collected through survey form, UCLA Loneliness Scale and Quality of Life (QOL) Short Form (SF-36) Scale. The total number of elderly people over the age of 65 yr from whom the study population was chosen was 4,170.The study population was determined as 190 with G-power program by taking impact size 0.362, α=0.05, power (1-β) =0.80 at a confidence level of 95% and a substitute group composing of 10 individuals was added. In total, 83.2% (n=174) of the target population was reached via Multi-Stage Sampling Methods. Results: UCLA Loneliness median score of the participants was 33 (25thp= 27, 75thp= 40). It was found that the existence of chronic diseases and physical handicaps, regular use of medication, lack of hobbies and living with spouse increased loneliness (P